When we talk about Roza Ledinek, we cannot overlook Jan Strgar and beekeeping in Bohinj. Her acquaintance and friendship with Jan Strgar date back to the time of World War I. Strgar was mobilized in 1914, but due to his congenital hearing impairment, he first worked in a military office. In 1917 and 1918, he served as a beekeeping teacher for war veterans at the Provincial Fruit and Wine School in Maribor, where he met Roza Ledinek. After retiring, he invited her to Bohinj, where she worked as a secretary and was of great help to him in managing the administration.
With the onset of World War II, difficult times began for beekeeping in Bohinj. The war especially affected Strgar’s beekeeping business, as restrictions on the movement of bees forced him into debt. However, an even greater upheaval occurred in 1943 when partisans murdered Roza Ledinek on suspicion of collaborating with the occupiers—an accusation that was never proven. In retaliation, the Germans executed nine hostages in the village of Bitnje on May 13, 1943. As a result, Strgar lost the person who had accompanied him on his business journey for more than 20 years.
WOULD JAN STRGAR BE KNOWN ABROAD WITHOUT ROZA LEDINEK?
Roza Ledinek was a very well-read and educated woman. She spoke eight foreign languages and was of great help to Strgar in establishing international contacts. She was very meticulous in her work and ensured that Strgar was not deceived by customers when selling queens.
Information: Anja Poštrak, mag. Barbara Kalan / Gorenjski Museum
Photographs: Gorenjski Museum
