On Christmas Day, 25 December, at 6 pm at Lake Jasna in Kranjska Gora, you will be able to experience the legend of Zlatorog’s Tears, the rising to the surface of the submerged New Year’s tree.
Many years ago, when winters were still very cold and full of snow, Vitranc came to the valley many times to see how all living things were doing.
It was a severe winter and the darkness gripped our places as never before. One evening, Vitranc decided to come back to see what was happening in the valley.
When he came to Lake Jasna, which used to be even more mighty and deep than today, he came across Zlatorog, who was standing by the lake, shedding huge tears. The tears, due to the bitter cold, froze, turned into beautiful crystals and fell to the bottom of the deep lake.
Vitranc asks the Zlatorog. Why are you crying, Zlatorog?
How could I not cry when our country is so cold and dark that I cannot even see my snout in front of me.
Vitranc promises to help him. He sends the four seasons to the lake. He tells them to dive into the depths of the lake and find the Zlatorog’s tears.
First Spring dives into the lake, then Summer, followed by Autumn and finally Winter.
In the lake, they find a spruce tree that has been torn from its birth clump by a violent storm and thrown into the depths of the lake. To the surprise of all the seasons, the Zlatorog’s tears caught on the spruce, turned into sparkling crystals and gave off a beautiful light.
The four seasons bring the tree out of the depths and place it on a floating trunk that has floated to the surface. The magic crystals glowed so brightly that they gave off a wonderful light that delighted all living creatures. It showed the way to all the people and animals and filled their hearts with much warmth and hope for better times.
Every year since then, the Vitranc has sent out the tears of the golden horn through the four seasons, shining and bringing joy and gladness across the valley.
From afar, Vitranc just watches the people and animals rejoice.
