Kurent: Slovenina god of joy

Kurent is considered a great god of the Slovenians, bringing good spirits, new life, and spring. He is the god of madness, joy, wine, music, and also sexual energy. With his magical instrument, he makes people dance and drives away death and winter.

In an ancient folk tale, Kurent saves the last Slovenian from the Great Flood, and in return, the Slovenian promises to take good care of the grapevine. Even today, Slovenians respect Kurent, who dances during the times of celebration.

Pust (Carnival) is one of the few pre-Christian holidays that the church failed to reshape or give new roles. For our pagan ancestors, Pust had a very special meaning. Masks attracted the spirits of their ancestors while, alongside their higher mythological role, they drove away winter demons. Kurent is a mythical creature, a lunar god belonging to the group of vegetation gods, meaning he chases away winter and awakens nature, fertility, and thus new life.

On the day of the burial of Pust, our ancestors usually lit a bonfire, and in some places, they cut down a small spruce and placed it in the middle of the fire. Everyone prepared brooms, and when they lit the bonfire in the evening, they thrust the brooms into the fire and spun them so that sparks flew in all directions.

According to old stories, the bonfire was dedicated to the ancient "Heathen goddess" (Ajdovska boginja). Every year, yarn was burned in her honor and thrown high into the air. As high as it flew, so high the flax was said to grow.