Youth Centre, Banjaluka, May 27, 2023

The presentation of the exhibition "Famous Slovenians in Belgrade" in Banja Luka in the Youth Center is the result of the implementation of one part of the first joint project of the Association of Slovenians "Sava" Belgrade and the Association of Slovenians of the Republic of Srpska "Triglav" Banjaluka.

Our desire was to establish contacts, collaborate on projects, exchange experiences and create precious not only cultural, but also other connections between the two oldest, most numerous and most successful associations of Slovenians in the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska. And it turned out to be an excellent idea, that this is the first step in our cooperation, which we will certainly continue and expand, because there is a mutual will.

In 2013, within the Slovenian Association "Sava" Belgrade, the idea of creating an exhibition was born, which will show the life of Belgrade's Slovenians who left a deep and valuable mark in Belgrade with their work and creativity. The exhibition, over the course of several centuries, shows some of the historical connections between the members of the two nations, Slovenian and Serbian.
The goal and purpose of this project was for the descendants of Slovenians in Belgrade, especially the young generation, as well as the general public, to get to know significant figures of Slovenian origin - especially those from the end of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. Remembering them is a contribution to the culture of memory, both in the context of the Slovenian national minority in Serbia and in the context of the general public.

The exhibition is created in four cycles and contains 48 unique portraits on laminated foam measuring 50x70 centimeters. The selection of individuals presented as part of the "Famous Slovenians in Belgrade" exhibition was based on different criteria and ways of inclusion in the life of Belgrade. Just to name some: Ulrich II of Celje, who defended Belgrade and was closely related to the then Serbian rulers, Davorin Jenko, a famous conductor and composer who composed "God of Justice", which later became the Serbian national anthem, Jože Plečnik, who designed one of his most beautiful churches, even though he never visited Belgrade himself, Edvard Rusjan, the aviation pioneer, who flew for the last time in Belgrade, in a plane he built himself with the help of his father, Vladislav Ribnikar, who founded Politika, which is still considered one of the most important Serbian newspapers.

At the opening of the Exhibition, member of the Executive Board of the Association of Slovenians "Triglav" Banjaluka, Mrs. Ana Marjanović, greeted the attendees and later opened the exhibition.
President of the Association of Slovenians "Sava" Belgrade, Mr. Saša Verbič, in his address presented the society and the activities they have.

About how the idea came about, who are the creators of the exhibition and how the exhibition "Famous Slovenians in Belgrade" was created, the author of the exhibition - artist Mrs. Marija Vauda - spoke very emotionally and inspiring.

The second part of the project will be implemented in Belgrade, where the Association of Slovenians "Triglav" Banja Luka will present the work of the association in the field of publishing (bilingual books, newsletters, etc.).

The young artist brothers Viktor and Pavle Fedešin enriched the atmosphere of the opening of the exhibition with the sounds of the saxophone. They are students of the Secondary School of Music "Vlado Milošević" in Banja Luka in the class of professor Neven Marinković. They presented themselves with 2 compositions "Take five" and "Blues walk".

The implementation of this project, which is extremely important for us, was supported by the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians in the World and the City of Banjaluka.

The exhibition in the Youth Center will be open until June 2, 2023.

Ljiljana Memon

Virtual exhibition: https://slokult.info/znameniti-1 

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