Slovenians celebrate culture

Many museums and other cultural institutions are open to visitors admission-free throughout the day and there are events in virtually every town, many involving the reading of Prešeren's poetry.

The biggest event will be held outside the poet's birth house in the north-western village of Vrba, and in Kranj, where Prešeren served as a lawyer and died, a traditional fair is being held.

Actors will be reading the bard's poetry at his monument in the centre of Ljubljana, as well as in Nova Gorica and Maribor.

The day is an occasion for reflection on Prešeren (1800-1849) as a poet and historic figure and on the meaning of culture and language for the nation and the country.

In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Robert Golob noted the importance of culture in Slovenia's history and the nation's identity.

"Culture is not only a pillar of our identity and nation-building, it is an infinite engine of creation, discovery, exploration and the recording of what builds us and our collective space," he wrote.

"It is our responsibility to give culture the respect and importance it deserves in society and to proudly support Slovenian artists. The heart of culture is solidarity and working for a community that is inclusive and cares for the well-being of all," he wrote.

He noted his government's commitment to invest in culture, listing some of the investments, including the renovation of the SNG Drama Ljubljana Theatre and an annexe to the National and University Library.

Culture Minister Asta Vrečko noted the contribution of arts and culture to society's prosperity and economy, their educational role and the benefits they have on people's well-being and social cohesion.

"Artists, cultural workers and cultural professionals make culture accessible to everyone, up close and every day, because culture is the foundation for the development of society," she said in a video message.

"Culture and art recognise diversity in its many forms. They guarantee freedom of expression. They make language alive. They preserve and revive the message of the past. They create and shape values for the future," she added.

She wished everyone, regardless of their personal circumstances, to celebrate arts and culture and feel their positive effects every day.

The minister will lay a wreath at the Prešeren monument in Ljubljana and, accompanied by Kranj Deputy Mayor Janez Černe at the poet's grave in Kranj.

Meanwhile President Nataša Pirc Musar is hosting lunch at Brdo pri Kranju for this year's Prešeren Prize winners. A talk with the laureates will be held in the evening at the Prešeren Theatre in Kranj.

The Prešeren Prizes for lifetime achievement and Prešeren Fund Prizes for accomplishments in the past three years were presented at the man ceremony marking Culture Day last night.

Interdisciplinary artist Ema Kugler and painter Herman Gvardjančič won the two Prešeren Prizes.

The Prešeren Fund Prizes went to Trieste-based author Dušan Jelinčič, film and theatre music composer Drago Ivanuša, pianist Alexander Gadjiev, painter Nikolaj Beer, film director and screenwriter Matevž Luzar and the architectural studio Medprostor.

Coinciding with the anniversary of Prešeren's death, Culture Day is also celebrated by Slovenian communities abroad.

8 February was designated as Culture Day in 1945 and has been observed as a work-free day since 1991.