On the last Sunday of August, Camporosso/Žabnice celebrates its patron saint Egidius, invoked for fertility. On this occasion, the mlaj (May tree) – erected by the village’s young men during the Corpus Christi feast – is felled. The main protagonists of this festival are the young people, particularly those turning eighteen, who through this ritual mark their entry into the adult world. In the past, the celebration coincided with military conscription, known as konta, and was reserved for young men.
In the morning, boys and girls in traditional costume join a joyful procession with the brass band to the church. After Mass, the young people gather around the linden tree to sing Rasti rasti rožmarin (Grow, rosemary, grow), a traditional Slovene song that moves onlookers to tears and represents the festival’s climax. The celebrations last from Saturday through Sunday.
