February 8: Culture Day in Slovenia

Ingrid Nováková, international specialist, February 8, 2026

What is Prešeren Day?

Prešeren Day, celebrated every year on February 8 in Slovenia, is a national holiday paying tribute to France Prešeren (1800-1849), Slovenia's greatest poet. His most famous work, Zdravljica, became the Slovenian national anthem. He was also one of the first to write in Slovene at a time when German dominated. His collection Poezije, published in 1846, marked Slovene culture with poems such as Sonetni venec (Wreath of Sonnets) and Krst pri Savici (Baptism on the Savica), which tell the story of a knight forced to convert to Christianity.

Official celebrations

The most prestigious ceremony is the presentation of the Prešeren Awards, held at the Slovenian Philharmonic in the presence of the President of the Republic. In Ljubljana, Prešeren Square becomes a gathering place for lovers of literature and history, while cultural cafés, such as Kavarna Slamič, host public readings and debates on his influence. Throughout the country, museums and galleries, such as the National Gallery and the National Museum of Slovenia, open their doors to the public free of charge.

Origins of France Prešeren

France Prešeren was born on December 3, 1800 in the village of Vrba, Slovenia, which was then part of the Habsburg Empire. His mother, Mina, wanted him to become a priest, but his uncle Jožef, a monk and educator, encouraged his love of literature. He attended primary school in Ribnica before entering the prestigious Ljubljana high school. Passionate about great European authors such as Goethe and Dante, he went on to study law at the University of Vienna, graduating in 1828. Back in Ljubljana, he worked as a trainee lawyer but struggled to obtain an official position because of his progressive ideas and his determination to promote the Slovene language. Moreover, his impossible love for Julija Primic, a young noblewoman from Ljubljana, deeply marked his work, inspiring some of his poems.