The mayor of the SD sharply criticized Asto Vrečko: The new minister, Fridl Jarčeva, responded, Vrečko did not even want to talk

Local officials have sharply criticized former Culture Minister Asta Vrečko over her handling of the preservation of the Roman necropolis near Žalec, with current Culture Minister Dr. Ignacija Fridl Jarčeva being praised for responding to concerns raised by the town's mayor, Janko Kos of the SD party. The dispute centers around the deteriorating condition of the ancient site, which has been under the care of the municipality for years due to a lack of state funding. The Roman necropolis, a cultural monument of national significance, has been suffering from neglect, with its maintenance costs largely shouldered by the local government. Mayor Kos has repeatedly called for federal assistance, stating that while Vrečko had time to establish the Public Institute for Contemporary Dance Development, she failed to address the urgent need for preserving the nearly two-thousand-year-old ruins. He emphasized that only the tourist association and volunteers, many of them elderly, have contributed significantly to the site’s upkeep, while other authorities have done little. In recent statements made public through TV Celje, Kos highlighted that the Ministry of Culture has finally responded under the leadership of the new minister, Dr. Fridl Jarčeva. According to Kos, the ministry is now prepared to engage in discussions regarding the management, maintenance, and investment in these invaluable historical artifacts. This marks a contrast to the previous administration, where he claimed Vrečko did not even respond to requests for dialogue during her entire term. “The fact that they have responded and are willing to come here for meetings and start talking with us shows that the previous minister was unable to address this issue throughout her mandate. She didn’t want to talk, didn’t want to respond. Even though the previous minister might have done some good things, I believe the Roman necropolis has fallen completely short of expectations. However, I believe the current minister is better because she has already responded to the call and is ready to come to Žalec with expert services and discuss matters with us,” Kos stated clearly. SD member of parliament Luka Simonič echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the praise from Kos, who comes from a different political faction, sends a clear message. In a post on social media, Simonič noted that when a mayor from another political side commends someone, it indicates a significant shift in approach. He described the situation as “cooperation for Slovenia.” The criticism against Vrečko has intensified following reports that she did not attend any meetings related to the necropolis during her tenure. While she established the Public Institute for Contemporary Dance Development, her efforts were perceived as lacking in addressing critical issues such as the preservation of historical sites. The current minister, on the other hand, has shown willingness to engage with local authorities and experts to find solutions for the necropolis' deterioration. Mayor Kos reiterated his belief that the new minister represents a change in direction, one that prioritizes collaboration and responsiveness to local needs. His comments reflect broader dissatisfaction among local leaders with the previous administration’s handling of cultural heritage issues. The expectation is that the new minister will take concrete steps to secure funding and implement measures to preserve the necropolis, ensuring it receives the attention and resources it deserves. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local governments in maintaining historical sites without adequate support from central authorities. As the new minister prepares to meet with local stakeholders, the focus remains on finding sustainable solutions to protect Slovenia’s cultural heritage.