Official Gift of the Prime Minister Dr. Janez Drnovšek to the Olympian Supreme Leon Štukelj

4^th-Century Roman Drinking Goblet "KAI IC WPAC"

The tall cylindrical goblet made of yellow-green glass and inscribed with adornments and a drinking toast was found in 1902 in the remains of a Roman grave at Bršljin. It has been dated to the 4^th century.

The goblet and its short conical base measure 27 cm in length and 7 cm in diameter, and its surface is divided into three horizontal belts. The lower belt is decorated with cuts in the form of fish bones. The middle belt is adorned with heart-shaped plant motifs, while the upper section is inscribed with a Greek drinking toast in letters 3 cm high: KAI IC WPAC (many happy returns). The original is located at the museum of cultural history in Vienna.

Roman glass goblets are some of the finest products of the late-period Roman empire. This unique artefact, found at Novo Mesto, forms a link between the man we honour today, Leon Štukelj, and the Ancient world, the time of emperors and triumphators, in short with an era when in European society honour and fame belonged to the victor. The Greek toast on the goblet invokes the spirit of the Ancient Greek Olympics, and this lyric - many happy returns - is the best way of celebrating the 100^th birthday of Leon Štukelj, Olympian supreme.