Celje - Firefighters from twenty countries have begun gathering in Celje for the 17th International Fire Brigade Competitions, popularly known as the Firefighting Olympics, in what is the biggest such event ever held in Slovenia.

Featuring more than 2,600 participants from 198 teams, the Olympics will officially start on Wednesday with a concert featuring more than 200 participants.

Apart from competitions, which will run until next Sunday in the Kladivar stadium, the event will feature a number of concerts, festivities and social gatherings in the city centre.

Today afternoon a giant sandwich will be made in Krek Square with the help of firefighters and local football, handball and judoka club members. Visitors will obviously be able to taste it as well.

The first of a series of concerts is due tonight featuring the oompah ensemble Okrogli Muzikanti, to be preceded by a drumming concert by the Sherzer Brigades.

More concerts will follow every day next week, including by LPS, Slovenia's 2022 Eurovision Song Contest entrants, the Guard of the Slovenian Armed Forces, Mambo Kings and the Sašo Avsenik ensemble.

There will be plenty events for children, presentations of volunteer fire brigades and everything related to firefighting, including a display of fire engines, the mascot Flori, fire shows, as well as a programme featuring Celje knights and counts that this city is mid north-east is famed for.