President Türk attends Vilenica 2009 Literary Award Ceremony

Lokev pri Se¾ani, 5.9.2009  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, attended the Vilenica 2009 international literary award ceremony today. In his opening address, President Türk highlighted Vilenica as a specific event in Central European culture characterised by its opulent and manifold as well as tragic experience, and richness of literary creativity. He also spoke of this year's Vilenica Prize laureate, the Trieste writer Claudio Magris, and of global themes communicated through his works.

As an example, the Slovenian President mentioned the opinion from Mr Magris's book The Danube stating that Slovenia was an ideal Habsburg province. He wrote this in 1986 in the context of the former Yugoslavia, which was already in the process of disintegration, a process, which had once led to the disintegration of the Habsburg Monarchy. So, there are questions posed to Slovenia as to along which path to proceed from that "ideal Habsburg province" and what it means to be a sovereign country which no longer enjoys the comfort of a province in a larger system.

"The European Union is not a system in which we would like to be a province, but a system in which we wish to enjoy sovereignty," emphasised Dr Türk. He added that not only a political aspect and sovereignty were at issue, but also much deeper dimensions. Provinciality can sometimes be demonstrated through excessive obstinacy and an unrelenting attitude in discussions. According to the Slovenian President, we should therefore be more inclined to listen to others, to accept the wisdom of compromise and to demonstrate our sovereignty in such a manner.

Therefore, Vilenica represents a highly significant contribution to our present existence, cultural growth and political maturation. "Our political maturity does not yet match our wishes. We still have a great deal to do. However, our history has taught us that through cultural development we can contribute to the political maturity we strive for," said the President.