You seem to be a modern-day ‘caveman’...

I grew up with the cave. Even back in the day, when I was a kid, I used to bum around the caves every afternoon. Robinson Crusoe-style – with ropes and candles. That’s why I joined the official caving club before I turned 18. But I’ve always loved caves. I came to Postojna Cave in 1997 and stayed there. There’s not a single job I haven’t done as a cave employee: from being a warden, picking up rubbish, cleaning the cave, tour guiding etc.

What is it that Postojna Cave has given you?

I find it difficult to put value on Postojna Cave because I’ve been inside of it thousands of times. It’s hard to talk about what wows me most. Perhaps, with time, I’ve come to take some things ‘for granted’. Someone coming here for the first time has a completely different perception than someone who sees the cave every day. When you’re used to it, when you live with it, and you live your whole life through it, it is difficult for you to describe it.

Your wife’s also a cave guide, and the two of you got married in Postojna Cave. Will your children be cavers too?

They’re showing a great deal of interest at the moment, but time will tell... You know, I’m a bit weird (laughter) 

I know. This is the word almost all cavers use to describe themselves.

Yes, because we really are. You have to be a bit weird to spend time in a cave. For us humans, caves are not a natural environment where we are able to function normally. Ever since I started doing recruitment, I’ve been seeing people come here thinking “I’m going to be great at this”, but once they go into the cave, they realise, “not a chance of me doing this.” This is not an ordinary environment. Not everyone survives in a cave. You either feel it or you don’t.

Janez, when you’re not in the cave, where do you spend your time? For example, where do you go on holiday?

(laughter) Every time we go on holiday, we go and see one or two caves. It’s now ingrained in me. I've been caving for almost forty years. It gets into your blood. Our sense of humour is also a bit special.

Special?

It’s black cave humour, which many places don’t put up with. Many people find it crude.

But if you did have to choose – what’s your favourite part of Postojna Cave?

The part of the Postojna Cave System I’m most fascinated by is the Otok Cave. A hidden gem that’s very pretty. In the narrower Postojna Cave, I like the Small Caves because they really do stand out. You know, maybe I’m a bit too down to earth and I’m one of those people who find it difficult to say hollow words and wax lyrical about something, “This is so great, it’s fantastic.” I like to point out the reality. Also when it comes to women, I’m not much for paying compliments, singing praise. If I say “That’s good”, that counts as a superlative in my book. And it’s pretty much the same here. Postojna Cave itself is extra. Especially if you travel the world and see other caves, it’s very difficult to actually see all the things you get to see here in one place. And if I say it’s great, that’s the highest accolade. Otherwise, I’d say, “Well, yeah, it’s a cave.”