My Opera
An interview with Ksenija Benedetti
Thursday, August 30, 2007 8:38:14 PM
As you know, my job last week was not just to blog at Ummi camp, but also motivate other participants to do it. I think it was successful. 
. Many of them are now getting their own accounts at my.opera.
To make a long story short. These camps are fantastic opportunity to meet the most amazing people. One of them is Ksenija Benedetti, Chief of state protocol at Government of Republic of Slovenia. After her mindblowing lecture on nice behaviour, table manners, dressing code (etc) - which was all backed up with her professional experience - I seat down with her to talk about Slovenian presidency of EU. As Chief of state protocol, she will be in charge to organise all the events connected to it. The translation is kindly done by Maja Petek.
. Many of them are now getting their own accounts at my.opera. To make a long story short. These camps are fantastic opportunity to meet the most amazing people. One of them is Ksenija Benedetti, Chief of state protocol at Government of Republic of Slovenia. After her mindblowing lecture on nice behaviour, table manners, dressing code (etc) - which was all backed up with her professional experience - I seat down with her to talk about Slovenian presidency of EU. As Chief of state protocol, she will be in charge to organise all the events connected to it. The translation is kindly done by Maja Petek.
Marjan: Mrs. Benedetti, can you please tell me how long have been lasting preparations for the Presidency of the European Union?
Ksenija: Preparations have been going on for at least two years and a half, and are intensified by each day. From September on, they are going to be even more intensified, which means that they will last at least eight hours a day.
Marjan: How many persons take an active part in preparations and later in implementation of the Presidency of the European Union regarding protocol? How many vehicles is the Government intending to buy or rent, what is the extent of this organization?
Ksenija: The extent is enormous. There is not only one event, which could be carried out in two days. Several events will be performed in six months time, therefore preparations are obligatory. Regarding Slovenian protocol, 40 people are going to collaborate, and 10 from the Secretariat for the preparations of the Presidency. Other ministries, for example Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will also include their employees, Slovenian Armed Forces will be of great help – soldiers are going to be chauffeurs of 160 hired cars. In my opinion, Government, Parliament, and Administrative Office of President are also going to be included to a great extent.
Marjan: What is the structure of events like? How many meetings will be organized and performed on various levels, also on higher ones?
Ksenija: The programme of events is not prepared yet, but it is going to be soon. The number of events in Slovenia is about 250, 16 of them being ministerial meetings. Beside this, the summit meeting will represent the meeting Slovenia-United States of America, which will be especially important for us.
Marjan: A glance into your profession, a day at work. What is the worst thing that can happen at one of the coming events?
Ksenija: I would not wish anything like that to happen, but many things can go wrong. Improvisation is the toughest thing to do. The worst scenario occurs when a new event on a higher level has to be organized in two, three days or even in one day. On the other hand, something of everyday occurrence can also go wrong, for example insufficient number of cars for the whole delegation – if there comes 35 people instead of 16, this is a problem. Umbrellas, food etc. can also represent a problem. There is a wide array of possible complications but I hope that everything is going to be fine.
Marjan: What about safety? Slovenia is relatively small country which means that it is not risky in international framework. Up to this time, there were several important meetings performed, for example the meeting of 16 presidents etc. What about safety in those days? The fact that Slovenia is a safe country is probably one of the factors that meetings are organized in Slovenia. Were there any problems, threats?
Ksenija: No, I do not think so. Safety is in domain of Ministry of Interior and Police – they could tell you more. As far as I know, there were no major problems. A fact that Slovenia is a small country was probably in favour of events that were carried out in Slovenia.
Marjan: Is Presidency of the European Union your most significant challenge up to now? Personally and as regards business?
Ksenija: It is one of the major challenges, as it was the meeting between Bush and Putin, the meeting of 16 presidents of Central European countries, the first visit of royal family in Republic of Slovenia, which was also of great importance. But there is a difference; all enumerated events were not long-lasting. These several events are going to take place in six months time. This is something really great.
Marjan: When this six months time is over, what are you going to do? Go on vacation?
Ksenija: I hope so. And I also hope that everything is going to be fine. The preparations were good, but some conflicts, complications are always possible. If everything ends up well, I will go to some island for at least three weeks to gather all my strength, energy.
Marjan: Today we all depend on mobile phones. Can you imagine operating your profession without it?
Ksenija: Not in any way. I also cannot imagine my colleagues who have been working in a field of protocol for 30 years without mobile phones. I really cannot imagine performing our post without them.
Marjan: Mrs Benedetti, thank you.
Ksenija: Thank you.
Translated and written by Maja Petek.
