Slovenia House in Cortina – a strategic project at the centre of Olympic events

Petra Bezjak Cirman, who also heads the working group coordinating the Slovenia House project for the 2026 Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, said that the Olympic Games provide one of the strongest global platforms for country promotion. The Slovenia House will showcase the country's creativity, commitment to sustainability and openness.

Petra Bezjak Cirman speaking at the presentation. | Author Olympic Committee of Slovenia

The Director stressed that the Slovenia House in Cortina is a strategic project placed at the very centre of Olympic events. It brings together sport, business, tourism, culture, science and sustainability under the I Feel Slovenia brand, presenting Slovenia as a small yet exceptionally creative, green, progressive and open country to the world.

She added: "This will be a meeting point for athletes, businesspeople, media representatives and fans, a venue for receptions, business events, cultural and scientific programmes and culinary presentations of the Land of Flavours, as well as an important media hub. I would like to invite all fans, partners and visitors to join us at the Slovenia House in Cortina."

The Slovenia House will be located in the centre of Cortina, right in the heart of the action, only one hundred metres from the main Olympic stage. Its location ensures exceptional visibility, while its spatial and programme design allows it to accommodate up to 250 visitors at a time. It will be a place to meet athletes, partners, fans, media representatives and international stakeholders.

Visitors to the Slovenia House will discover Slovenia as a sporting, innovative, green and creative nation, a great tourist destination with a rich cultural heritage, and a scientifically advanced country focused on sustainability. The Slovenia House has therefore been designed as a multi-purpose space enabling a comprehensive presentation of the country. In addition to a diverse programme, the venue will also offer an excellent culinary experience with Slovenian cuisine and wine tastings. The Slovenia House will therefore become a small Slovenian Olympic embassy. A place where the world can not only see, but also feel Slovenia.

A glimpse of the interior of the Slovenian House. | Author Olympic Committee of Slovenia

The ambassador of the Slovenia House will be two-time Olympic champion Tina Maze.During the Winter Games, she will attend meetings, receptions and international performances, thus strengthening the link between Slovenia's sporting tradition and its contemporary image. The Slovenia House in Cortina will be a place of socialisation, cheering, creativity and Slovenian confidence. All fans, partners, media representatives and visitors are kindly invited to join us in experiencing the Olympic atmosphere under the I Feel Slovenia brand.

The first Slovenia House, under the national brand I feel Slovenia, opened in 2010 in Vancouver, followed by Pyeongchang in 2018 and Paris in 2024. All previous editions have received an exceptionally positive response, strengthening the international recognition of the I Feel Slovenia brand and confirming that a comprehensive, unified and strategically managed approach is key to successful national promotion.

Due to the long distances between the venues, special Olympic points will be set up in Bormio and Predazzo to celebrate medal wins. These will be used for the occasional reception of athletes.

The Ministry of Economy, Tourism, and Sport allocated EUR 900,000 for the preparation and qualification of Slovenian athletes, and an additional million for the implementation of the Slovenia House.