To you, our pride past measure, Zdravljica Our girls! Your beauty, charm and grace! here surely is no treasure (A Toast) To equal maidens of such race. by France Prešeren Sons you’ll bear, Slovenska Who will dare The vintage, friends, is over, Defy our foe no matter where. And here sweet wine makes, once again, Sad eyes and hearts recover, Kultura Our hope now, our to-morrow - Puts fire in every vein, Our youth - we toast and toast with joy. (Slovenian Culture) Drowns dull care No poisonous blight or sorrow Everywhere Your love of homeland shall destroy. And summons hope out of despair. With us indeed

You’re called to heed To whom with acclamation Its summons in this hour of need. And song shall we our first toast give? God save our land and nation God’s blessing on all nations, And all where’er they live, Prešernov Who long and work for that bright day, Who own the same When o’er earth’s habitations Blood and name, No war, no strife shall hold its sway; And who one glorious Mother claim. dan Who long to see That all men free Let thunder out of heaven No more shall foes, but neighbours be. Strike down and smite our wanton foe! (Prešeren Day) Now, as it once had thriven, At last to our reunion - May our dear realm in freedom grow. To us the toast! Let it resound, Let fall the last Since in this gay communion Chains of the past By thoughts of brotherhood we’re bound. Which bind us still and hold us fast! May joyful cheer Ne’er disappear Let peace, glad conciliation, From all good hearts now gathered here. Come back to us throughout the land! Towards their destination Let henceforth go hand-in-hand! Thus again Will honour reign To justice pledged in our domain. is an alpine country located at In Ljubljana an annual recital takes place forms over the course of his life. Howev- the north end of the . For most on Prešeren Square, at the foot of the large er, consistently underlying his work was a of their history the Slo- monumental statue of France Prešeren. philosophy that he “could not stand stupid- vene people have exist- Vocal groups and choirs perform all week ity and tyranny” in the form of censorship ed within other nations before the holiday in various locations and oppression. while developing and Prešeren used to visit in his time. Prešeren was modestly known during his maintaining a unifying Slovenia promotes lifetime but his talent and potential legacy culture. In fact, Slovenia the continued growth of was recognized by a Slovene politician/ is one of only a handful its culture by present- national leader/publisher, Janez Bleiweis. of countries that celebrate ing the Prešeren Award Bleiweis put Prešeren on the literary and their own culture with a (the so-called Grand wider cultural map of Slovenia first by national holiday. France Prešeren Award) to one publishing his works in the Farmers’ and Prešeren is representative or two eminent Slovene Craft News. Prešeren’s work has been of the cultural identity artists. On the same day considered the first and leading classic of of Slovenes and his importance has contin- the Prešeren Foundation Slovene poetry, classic not only in the na- th ued to grow since his death on February 8 Awards are presented to up to six artists. tional or regional sense, but also according 1849. These are the highest national awards in to the standards of the “developed” Euro- Near the end of WWII the Slovenia region the field of arts, selected and granted by the pean cultures. of Yugoslavia declared the anniversary of Prešeren Foundation. A canny politician, Bleiweis correctly Prešeren’s death as a national cultural holi- France Prešeren was born into a farming recognized that Prešeren might become day to celebrate all things that make Slove- family in December of 1800. As the oldest famous one day and advocated for the nians Slovenian. Upon becoming a sover- son his father wanted him to follow in his erection of the first monument to him eign nation in 1991, this national cultural footsteps but his mother, who was more ed- following his death. Over time, in addition day gained even greater recognition as a day ucated, had aspirations for him becoming a to the Prešeren Square in the capital city, off of work. priest. She taught him to read and write and his image has adorned currency, coins and Prešeren Day is an important national sent France off to stamps. holiday that starts with activities the week learn from an uncle, Prešeren has become one of the most leading up to February 8th. There are an who was a priest. significant figures in Slovenian history and abundance of cultural exhibits, events and Eventually he went his poem A Toast became the Slovenian educational presentations. School children to grade school in national anthem (Slovenia’s Frances Scott frequently go on field trips to Slovenian art Ljubljana and even- Key!). museums and other places where they can tually to university in Vienna. learn about Prešeren, Slovenia’s history and France studied philosophy for three years its heritage. Museums and galleries across - Slovenia Weekly Government Newsletter in preparation for law school and became a - University of Oslo Department of Literature the country open their doors admission-free, Doctor of Law in 1827. During this time he - Wiipedia as do some theatre productions, film projec- also began writing poetry, which took many - Ljubljana-Slovenia.com tions and concerts.