A Slovenian Boy Dressed As "Green George" During Jurjevo Celebrations
In Slovenian tradition, Zeleni Jurij (Green George) is a figure associated with the spring festival of Jurjevo (St. George's Day). He is a symbol of awakening nature, abundance, and growth. Green George is often represented as a person dressed in green branches, who visits homes and brings good luck. He is also connected to the Slavic god Perun, the protector of livestock and horses.
Part of the rituals of Jurjevo involve taking Green George being taken to a bridge, where he is symbolically killed (represented by plucking leaves from a tree) and then thrown into a river. This represents his return to the underworld, to be back in spring. The Green George ritual is a significant part of the cultural heritage of Slovenia, especially in the Bela Krajina region.
