(Milena Forstner was in London with a group of students from her school in Slovenia)

“We were just walking in Regent Street and we were doing some sightseeing more than shopping – window shopping mostly. There was quite a big group of people who were quite loud – at the beginning we didn’t know what was going on – we slowly approached that group and of course listened for awhile. They were protesting against the wearing of fur coats and they had all sorts of things with them. Then a woman, it was winter time with a fur coat - and they spilt some paint over her.

I don’t know what my feelings were….I’m not keen on fur coats….I don’t know. I’m against killing animals for food nowadays….but my feelings were mixed because I didn’t like what they did with her coat…. It was very, very ‘rude’. She was just passing by. They didn’t hurt her….she had a fur coat, a very nice one….she screamed. I can’t tell you if she was shouting in English…I suppose she was because otherwise I would have noticed if she wasn’t.

I didn’t like it. I slowly went away….I don’t know if it was slowly….I went away. My daughter was with me and some students and….I don’t know ….we were a bit shocked….we were shocked. We weren’t used to this way of protesting….I don’t know….to put paint on somebody who was just passing by….I felt she was as innocent as me. She just bought that fur coat without thinking that some animals were killed.

(Do people wear furs in Slovenia?)

No it’s not very popular because it’s quite expensive and because we don’t have very cold winters. I think that in the past …maybe about 15 years ago it was more popular….and then people didn’t even think about how cruel it is to kill animals for fur. It was quite fashionable. I have to say for some time I also wanted to have a fox collar. When I wanted it  I didn’t have money and now I don’t want it any more. I think that people in Slovenia, especially the younger generally are very much against because when I discuss it with my students….

I don’t know if what happened in London affected me…but I think it helped to change my views."