On June 25th 2026, the doors of the Presidential Palace in Erjavčeva Street in Ljubljana traditionally open for the press and citizens. On the occasion of the 35th Statehood Day of Slovenia, the President of Slovenia dr. Nataša Pirc Musar and the First Gentleman of Slovenia, Dr. Aleš Musar, welcomed and talked to several groups of Slovenians and guests from other countries.
Before the tour of the Palace started, a ceremony for the Recipients of the Commendations for 2026 was held in the main hall.
On the Occasion of the Statehood Day, June 25th, President Pirc Musar addressed the present guests with the following words:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Recipients of the Commendations, Honored Standard Bearers and Flag Bearers, Today, we proudly celebrate Statehood Day. The Slovenian state was born in 1991 through the courage, responsibility, and dedication of those who believed in freedom, democracy, sovereignty, and the independence of the Republic of Slovenia. On this Statehood Day, let us remember with gratitude, respect, and pride the patriotic and selfless acts of generations of Slovenian women and men who, each in their own time—particularly during the dark years of Nazism and Fascism—contributed to the resistance and the freedom of the Slovenian nation. A state is not merely its territory, its flag, its coat of arms, or its Constitution. A state is its people. It is a community that shines brightest in moments of solidarity, responsibility, and mutual support. The finest image of our homeland is a person who selflessly extends a helping hand to another human being. It is always a great pleasure to open the doors of the Presidential Palace to the many remarkable individuals whose work, courage, expertise, and compassion enrich our society and remind us what it truly means to be human in the noblest sense of the word. Today, we have the privilege of doing so once again. Police officers Darko Mikša and Andrej Šterk of the Celje Traffic Police Station, together with auxiliary police officer Mario Martinović, demonstrated what it truly means to serve the people when you responded swiftly, professionally, and selflessly to save the life of a man in medical distress. Police work is not only about maintaining public order and safety—it is, above all, about protecting human life and the dignity of every individual. This is the true nobility of your calling: to be in the service of the people and for the people. As Police Day is observed on 27 June, I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to all police officers who carry out their duties each day with professionalism, responsibility, and unwavering dedication. Today, we are also joined by Lan, a boy of just twelve years of age with an exceptionally big heart. Following a traffic accident in which a car carrying two passengers veered off the road, Lan rushed to help before the police and emergency services arrived, providing first aid by treating one of the injured person’s wounds. Dear Lan, at only twelve years old, you have shown that caring for others is not a matter of age, but of character, compassion, and courage. You have reminded us that the greatest acts of kindness are often the simplest: kneeling beside someone in need and doing whatever you can to help. Such actions—when one does not ask what they might gain, but simply does what is right—reflect the quiet greatness of the finest individuals in our society. They strengthen trust among us, make our communities safer, and restore our faith in humanity and in love for one another. Distinguished recipients of today’s commendations, On behalf of the Republic of Slovenia, I extend to you my heartfelt gratitude and deepest respect. Thank you for your compassion towards a fellow human being—for helping restore to someone the possibility of tomorrow. On this Statehood Day, your actions remind us of the kind of Slovenia we aspire to build: a country of responsible and compassionate people, where humanity remains the highest measure of our shared life together. Allow me to conclude by offering my sincere congratulations on Statehood Day. I wish all of you a wonderful and memorable celebration here at the Presidential Palace.”
The Presidential Palace on Erjavčeva Street, usually reserved only for high state official visits and diplomatic activities, was, on the same day, a place of warm meetings, pleasant conversations, and exchanges among President Pirc Musar, her spouse, and the visitors.
Dr. Pirc Musar shared stories about foreign and local meetings she hosted in the Palace, described her daily work routines, showed many unique objects she received as presents as Head of State, and spoke about her passion for owl figurines and owl brooches, as well as her admiration for these birds.
The visit was additionally enriched with interesting stories about distinguished Slovenians who shaped the history of this country thanks to skillful guided tour and information provided about many exhibited paintings, pieces of furniture, historical and art objects skillfully chosen to be exhibited in the Palace by the First Gentleman Musar. Among other things, Dr. Musar spoke about a very special desk loaned to the Presidential Palace by Mrs. Jana Valenčič. It is the writing desk of Baron Žiga Zois, who was a leading enlightener, entrepreneur, industrialist and supporter of Slovenian science and arts more than 200 years ago. On the desk, each under its glass bell, there are two specimens from the original Zois collection now kept by the Museum of National History of Slovenia. Baron Zois held both of them in his hands! There are Slovenian quartz crystals under one bell and an ammonite fossil under the other; the latter was brought back from the Triglav Lakes Valley by an expedition funded by Zois, led by count and naturalist Hohenwart and attended by poet Valentin Vodnik. On the stand is a biography of Žiga Zois with a portrait of the Baron, published a year after his death. Underneath are a few samples of limonite, the iron ore that was the foundation of Zois’ ironworks business and thus his fortune. The open book on the table is an important work by Jernej Kopitar, who was sent by Zois to study in Vienna. It is the 1838 book Glagolita Clozianus, in which the Freising Manuscripts, the earliest document in the Slovenian language, were first published. It is open on that page. The book with the colorful cover is Plantae Alpinae Carniolicae, a description of the plants of Carniola by Baltazar Hacquet, a French naturalist from the Zois circle. In autumn 2023, it was accompanied by a specimen of Alpine plants prepared by the Julijana Alpine Botanical Garden, which is also part of the Museum of National History.
One object that particularly caught visitors’ attention was Tomos motorcycle. It is one of only five prototypes from 1976 and is entirely the result of Slovenian know-how and design. It was lent by the Technical Museum of Slovenia. One of the pioneers of motorcycle manufacturing was Janez Puh from the region of Slovenske Gorice. Although the Puch factory is now in Austria, its founder was Slovenian.
Few experiences offer such a unique glimpse behind the scenes of public office. Our visit to the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana allowed us not only to admire its grandeur and elegance but also to better understand the people behind the institution and the responsibilities they carry each day.
Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar, the fifth President of the Republic of Slovenia and the country’s first female head of state, has served in office since December 2022.
Happy 35th Statehood Day, Slovenia!
