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Stories from Slovenia

Prešeren's Slovenia

Learn about the greatest Slovenian poet, France Prešeren, by taking a walk through the places where he left his greatest mark.

Who was France Prešeren?

As you tour Slovenia, you will often hear the name Prešeren – streets, buildings, squares, and even special cultural and culinary features are named after him. France Prešeren was the greatest Slovenian poet, who lived in the first half of the 19th century. He is of great importance for the Slovenian people, as his poetry and his work greatly contributed to strengthening the Slovenian sense of nationhood and cultural identity. After Slovenia gained its independence, his poem Zdravljica (A Toast) became the Slovenian national anthem. Prešeren's poetry has been translated into many other languages.

 

On 8 February, the day of his death, the Slovenian Cultural Holiday is observed. On this day, his birthplace, Vrba na Gorenjskem, and Kranj, where the Prešeren Fair is held, are the most ceremonious. On the day of his birth, 3 December, Slovenians celebrate This Happy Day of Culture. This is when most of Slovenia’s cultural institutions open their doors to visitors for free.  If you would like to learn about Prešeren in greater detail, a visit to the key places in his life in Slovenia – Vrba na Gorenjskem, Ljubljana, and Kranj – is a must.

“O, Vrba, happy village, my old home” (F. Prešeren – Sonnets of Unhappiness)

The first station in Prešeren’s life is Vrba na Gorenjskem. His birth house, where he spent his childhood, has now been turned into a museum, and various events are held there, too. A few other important figures that influenced Slovenian cultural life and even spread their knowledge beyond Slovenia's borders also hail from this village at the foot of Mt Stol. You can learn about Prešeren and other literary authors, bee-keepers, and intellectuals on the Cultural Heritage Trail, where you can take a ride in a typical horse-drawn carriage – the lojtrnik.

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In Prešeren's footsteps in Ljubljana

This poet spent most of his life in Ljubljana, so you will often encounter the name Prešeren in the capital city. Learn about some of the most interesting places and experiences related to Prešeren.

Prešeren Square

You will often hear people say: “Let’s meet at Prešeren Square,” one of the main squares in Ljubljana, where you can see a statue of the poet. From here, you can walk across Plečnik’s famous Three Bridges and head into the old part of Ljubljana or take a stroll along the River Ljubljanica, surrendering to the vibrant urban vibe, while also learning about the story of the prideful Urška and the Water Man described in the verses of a poem by Prešeren.

More on: Prešeren Square (open in a new window)

Kranj – Prešeren's town

Prešeren spent the last years of his life in Kranj. However, as you take a walk around the town, which is considered the capital of the Slovenian Alps, you will encounter his name at virtually every step. Join a walk through the old town centre of Kranj, where you can enter cultural institutions bearing Prešeren’s name or you can even go back to his time in history.

Take a time machine back to Prešeren’s days

The Prešeren Fair comes to life in Kranj every year on 8 February, which is the Slovenian Cultural Holiday. Go on a walk through the old town centre with townspeople dressed in their 19th century attire. Visit stands selling cottage industry products and learn about the work of Kranj's craftsmen and artisans. During this time, you can also take a carriage ride around the town.

More on: Take a time machine back to Prešeren’s days (open in a new window)

Perhaps you didn’t
know...

Learn about some other interesting features related to the name Prešeren.

France’s image and a verse from the Toast adorn the Slovenian two-euro coin.

The first Slovenian rose grown by the scholar Dr Matjaž Kmecl is named after Prešeren. The rose is pink with white and brown tinges.

The word ‘prešeren’ also means happy in Slovenian.

Open the treasury of Slovenian culture

The first writings in the Slovenian language date as far back as the 9th century, when the Freising Manuscripts were written. The first two printed books in Slovenian, which were published during the Reformation, were the work of Primož Trubar. To commemorate this pivotal event, Slovenia celebrates Reformation Day on 31 October. This is not the only national holiday related to culture. There is also Prešeren Day, the Slovenian Cultural Holiday, celebrated on 8 February in memory of the poet France Prešeren. Throughout history, Slovenian master wordsmiths created many outstanding works, some of which are still topical today. Their mission has been taken on and developed by countless modern authors, whose works are translated into many languages and read by readers from other countries. You can learn about the literary creativity in Slovenia in various ways, including at festivals and other interesting events.

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