Radovljica Commemorates Birth of First Slovenian Playwright
Bostjan Zeks, the president of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, labelled Anton Tomaz Linhart as "one of the most important Slovenians, who is unfortunately not known and appreciated as he should be", as he addressed a ceremony marking the 250th birth anniversary on Slovenia's first playwright late on Sunday in Radovljica.
Zkes hopes that Linhart, one of the most prominent representatives of the Enlightenment in Slovenia, would become better known and appreciated through the events that have and will take place this year.
According to Zeks, Linhart was more than just an author - he was a freethinker, citizen, cosmopolitan and the first European, said Zeks. He reminded people of his commitment to knowledge and science, and his contribution to development of education and establishment of the first public library.
He is convinced that Linhart could be a role model to Slovenians even now, when Slovenia became part of the European Union. Zeks stressed that Slovenians should be as cosmopolitan as Linhart was, while staying in touch with their homeland and language.
He also emphasised the global decline in the interest in science which is especially present in Slovenia. While interest in scientific studies at Slovenian universities is dropping, we are seeing a rise in pseudo-science which blurs the borders between truth and lies, he said.
Radovljica Mayor Janko S. Stusek meanwhile said that people are not fully aware of Linhart's spirit. "We have to be aware that he introduced the Enlightenment to Slovenia which is beneficial and necessary even today," said Stusek.
The anniversary celebrations continued in Ljubljana on Monday, where representatives of the National Theatre Museum uncoverd a commemorative plaque at Linhart's home in Ljubljana.
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