Universiades are global festivals of youth creativity, sites of congenial meetings, top competitions and promotion of positive values of sports, fair play, friendship and symbiosis.

We have put much effort and care into the preparations for the candidature, in cooperation with the Slovenian University Sports Association, the universities and many individuals working in the fields of sports and tourism.

Maribor lies between Trieste (Italy) and Vienna (Austria). It is easily accessible via highway, railway or by air. For over 40 years it has been a site of renowned FIS competitions for the World ski cup, and in the last years for the World cup in snowboarding, telemark, and world cups in hockey on ice. Here, on the east side of the Alps, we have the largest Slovene winter sports region with 50 kilometres of skiing slopes, 36 kilometres of cross-country paths, and the largest night skiing slope. All this is only a minutes drive from the centre of the city filled with cultural entertainment, shopping and gastronomic opportunities.

I cordially invite you to our city, famous for its openness, hospitality, and friendliness. I assure you that we will strive for a successful, top-notch, exciting and kind Winter Universiade 2013.

Franc Kangler