On February 7 2025, the day before Slovenia’s national cultural holiday, the National and University Library (NUK) in Ljubljana presented to the public a new monograph by renowned author Dr Dr Igor Grdina “Prešeren, politika in poezija” (Prešeren, Politics, and Poetry). Accompanying the monograph is a folder containing precise reproductions of four manuscript versions of Zdravljica from the poet’s legacy, which is preserved in NUK. This allows anyone to hold a facsimile of these precious manuscripts in their hands.

In the book, Dr Dr Grdina provides a deeper understanding of the life and work of poet Dr France Prešeren, placing them within the broader historical context of a pivotal era. He interweaves the events and key figures of the political and cultural life of the time with the story of the poet’s life and the resonance of his poetry – both after his death and in its lasting impact today. Particular attention is given to Zdravljica, its evolution, message, and influence.

The National and University Library has enjoyed a long-standing and fruitful collaboration with authors like Dr Dr Grdina. In 2023, when Slovenia was the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, we worked together to curate a special exhibition on France Prešeren and Slovenian Romanticism at the German Romanticism Museum, with contributions from both Dr Dr Grdina and Dr Urška Perenič (as co-author). As part of this exhibition, we published Prešeren, politika in poezija (Prešeren, Politics, and Poetry) in German, bringing the poet’s life and work – especially Zdravljica closer to German-speaking readers. Now, the book has been released in Slovenian.

For the National and University Library, this is of great significance, as in March 2020, the European Commission awarded Zdravljica the European Heritage Label, recognising it as one of the most important monuments reflecting the history of the European idea and unity. As the custodian of Prešeren’s manuscript, NUK became the official site of this heritage landmark. The European Heritage Label is a prestigious acknowledgement of Slovenia’s cultural heritage and our contribution to the idea of European integration.