A Bled Evening That Shines Differently: Local Hands, Piran Salt, Disco, and the Lake

When night falls over Lake Bled, the surface begins to glow – a thousand candlelights in eggshells gently float across the water. This mesmerising sight has become the highlight of Bled’s summer over the decades, drawing in both locals and visitors from near and far. This year, however, the tradition carries special meaning: for the first time in over fifty years, the candles were crafted by the local community under the watchful eye of mentor Andrej Vidic.

© Turizem Bled

The tradition began in 1972, when the father of today's master craftsman, Andrej Vidic – then a maintenance worker at Park Hotel Bled – decided to repurpose leftover candles and eggshells by setting them afloat on the lake. What started more as a spontaneous act than a planned event laid the foundations for a tradition that has since evolved and endured under his son's guidance.

© SKIVIBE

This year, the task of making the candles was taken on for the first time by volunteers from the Bled and Zasip Pensioners’ Associations. Led by master craftsman Andrej Vidic, they spent the last week patiently and meticulously crafting each individual candle – from shaping the delicate eggshells, pouring in the wax, and inserting the wick and matchstick.

“It’s been an interesting experience for us. We’re very happy to be involved in such a community effort, now in its 53rd year. It would be a real shame to let it fade away. In addition to the Bled Pensioners' Association, the Zasip group also joined in, which is the kind of cooperation we always welcome. Seventeen members took part. At the start, when we were peeling the eggs, there were up to fifteen of us. Now, with the wax pouring and wick placing, we work in two groups. We’ll make around 10,000 candles in a week. With so many hands, the work goes faster – and everyone’s doing it with joy and enthusiasm,”
said Dragica Vesković, president of the Bled Pensioners’ Association.

Master craftsman Andrej Vidic also expressed his delight that the tradition is continuing, even though his own role had to change this year.

“I fell ill and wouldn’t have been able to make the candles myself. I’m pleasantly surprised that you’ve decided to keep the tradition alive and that the pensioners are helping. I honestly didn’t believe that so many candles could be made in such a short time. I’m amazed at how skilful the ladies are – it’s as if they’ve been doing this forever. This tradition should be preserved, as it’s one of the last truly homegrown things left in Bled.”

The tradition has found new energy, now carried on by those who understand its value and are ready to preserve it. This year, the event will be more meaningful than ever: each floating light will carry not only a flickering flame but a story – one shaped by hands working with care, intention, and love for tradition.

© SKIVIBE

“I was warmly welcomed by the other pensioners. I’m proud to have helped make the candles – they’re beautiful because they’re ours. I’m especially happy that I’ll also help light them during the municipal celebration.”
– Bernardka

“As a man, I took on the heavy work – preparing the wax for the candles. The wax came in slabs that had to be sliced into strips and then chopped into cubes – around 300 kilograms in total. It was a lot of work, but seeing the final result – thousands of colourful lights – made it worthwhile.”
– Mitja

“Years ago, I helped light the candles on the lake. Back then, I had a feeling it took a lot of work to make them, but now that I’ve helped craft them myself, I know it’s true. Working in a group is definitely easier – especially with people who genuinely enjoy it. There are so many small but important tasks, like cutting the wicks or shortening the matches, that all contribute to the final product.”
– Francka

“We really enjoyed the work. We’ll be offended if we’re not invited again next year!”
– Mija

© SKIVIBE

How the Bled Light Evening Comes to Life

Creating the floating lights takes precision and experience.

“The eggs have to be cracked just right to be fillable,” explains master Vidic. This step is crucial – only undamaged shells can be processed and filled with wax.

Eggshells are collected months in advance by event partner Conditus, where shells from their pastry production (including Bled’s famous cream cake) are carefully set aside for the candles. Once gathered, the shells undergo a detailed process of preparation and filling – each one handled individually.

© Miro Zalokar

On the day of the event, around 40 volunteers from the local community take to boats and carefully place the candles across the lake.

“You need a bit of skill to lay the candles properly, and also to light them. You also have to consider the water currents – they can push the candles towards the shore unless positioned correctly,” Vidic adds.

Thanks to the cold lake water, the candles burn slowly, creating a magical visual effect – like a starry sky spread across the surface. But the work doesn’t end there. The next day, divers return to the lake to thoroughly clean up any remaining wax or shells from the lakebed, ensuring the tradition respects the environment that hosts it.

One Night of Lights – to the Rhythm of Disco

While the floating candles create a visual spectacle on the lake, a musical extravaganza will take place along the Jezerska Promenade. Exceptional musicians will deliver a show where classical violin meets disco beats and unexpected musical twists.

The stage will feature:

• Bojan Cvetrežnik as MC, conductor, and lead violinist of Godalkanje Fiddle Gang
• DJ JAMirko as producer and master of beats
• Supporting musicians: Jean Markič (keyboard), Mark Žakelj (guitar), Ursula Luthar (vocals), and Barja Drnovšek (bass)

Their playful fusion will bring disco classics like Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and Popcorn to life, blended with Vivaldi’s baroque expressiveness, jazz improvisation, and a dash of Balkan flair.

© Kristjan Kuzmanoski

Piran Comes to Bled – A Salty Heritage Among the Mountains

On this festive evening, Piran will join the celebration, presenting its rich salt-making heritage. From 16:00 to 21:30, salt workers from the coast will bring a piece of the Sečovlje Salt Pans straight to the Jezerska Promenade.

The centrepiece will be a traditional kavedin – a 4x2-metre wooden salt field filled with 500 kilograms of sea salt. Original salt-working tools such as wheelbarrows, gavere, and taperine will be on display, alongside two seasoned salt workers who will share insights into this centuries-old craft.

Visitors will receive a symbolic pinch of Piran salt. According to local folklore, however, giving away salt for free brings bad luck – so donations will be collected, in tribute to the tradition and as a reflection on the value of preserving traditional skills passed down through generations.

Join us on 19 July and witness an evening that doesn’t just commemorate the past – it brings it to life.

Lake Bled will once again shine with lights made by local hands, while the Jezerska Promenade pulses with disco rhythms and echoes of salt-making heritage.