Tree decorations date back to antiquity but became widely used at the end of the 19th century. In addition to the pine cones, and other natural decorations, colored glass birds and painted glass balls became popular between the two World Wars in Slovenia. This year, the museum received decorations from the mid-1930s as a gift that had decorated the Oražem family’s Christmas tree for many years.
Vito Oražem tells the story: Jakob Oražem (1895-1940) employed Franz Ilgner (1852-1914), who was originally from Pommern, in his JOR gym equipment company in Ribnica. One Christmas Eve (the exact year is unfortunately unknown), he asked his boss if he could put up a small Christmas tree in the workshop. His wife Neža Oražem (1861-1918) initially opposed this, saying, “we only put up nativity scenes here.” However, Ilgner got permission, brought the Christmas tree, and decorated it. Because the Christmas tree was unusually beautiful, and the local children adored it, the Christmas tree found its place in the house that same year. Along with the Christmas tree decorations, the mentioned story was passed down from generation to generation. From Stanko Oražem (1887-1965) to Dušan Oražem (1927-2022), all the way to his son Vito Oražem and our museum.
May diverse family traditions fill your homes this year as well.
We sincerely thank the Oražem family for the donation of Christmas decorations.
