SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PLECNIK EXHIBITION IN ZAGREB
At the opening of architect Joze Plecnik exhibition in Zagreb

Zagreb (Croatia), 7 June 2000


It was with pleasure that I accepted the invitation to assume honorary patronage over this unique Central European cultural event, jointly with Presidents and friends Mesic and Havel. I also view this as being my duty.

The opening of the Plecnik exhibition in Zagreb, after it had been open for admiration in Prague, Barcelona and other European cities, New York and, of course, Ljubljana, is of symbolic significance. Firstly because the exhibition is an expression of a continuous search and an outstanding proof of the common language for a new European future in the Central European cultural and political sphere. In this search it finds support in the greatness of the Central European spirit and system of values, architect Joze Plecnik also being a symbol thereof . From today's perspective, we view Plecnik mainly as an architect who brought the language of human, ethical, civilisational and political values for a new democracy into this area, including the Croatian sphere of culture. In his understanding of architecture, Plecnik expressed Central Europe as it was most felicitously defined by Gyorgy Konrad when he wrote that “Central Europe is the momentary state of spirit”. Today, this state of the spirit is optimistic, inspirational and creative. This exhibition is one of the proofs that Croatia is rapidly returning to the Central European spiritual space in which the Croatian nation was historically formed.

However, this exhibition also has a symbolic significance because it is an expression of a new diversity in the relations between neighbours, it is an omen of opening-up, of dialogue and of cooperation between Slovenia and Croatia, between two states that shared the same goals when they came into being and that today share the same ambitions both with regard to the enforcement of the fundamental values of a democratic political and economic system as well as regarding their position within Euro-Atlantic structures. They share the same goals today as well. I would particularly like to note the two countries' identical interests concerning their positioning on the international arena, regardless of the distance one or the other country still has to travel to reach that goal. In doing so Slovenia is prepared to support and assist Croatia with its experience for better or for worse, provided and to the extent that Croatia so desires. Slovenia is willing to do so. Cooperation between the two countries is a revived opportunity which can yield good results to the benefit of both nations as well as a future common Europe. I am convinced that this time we will make use of the opportunity offered to us.