11 January – 10 February 2013

Peter

The exhibition highlights the life and work of Peter Božič, Slovenian writer and playwright; in his life and work he was always "walking on the edge." He worked as a freelance writer, journalist and editor. He published his works in literary magazines Beseda, Revija 57 and Perspektive. As one of the main representatives of the absurd drama, he was involved in the establishment and functioning of theaters Oder 57 and Pekarna.

The exhibition presents his published works, typescripts and manuscripts, working drawings of dramaturgical notes, directors’ book and working scenario – the documents are kept in the Library Manuscript Collection, and in private collections. A more picturesque part of the exhibition are posters exhibited on the staircase, silhouettes characters of his dramas displayed on the window curtains, two costumes from his last play Šumi and Božič’s wardrobe.

The exhibition is the result of collaboration between the Municipality of Ljubljana, the Slovenian National Theatre Museum, the Ljubljana City Theatre, the Slovenian Youth Theatre and the Department of Graphic Design of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering (Ljubljana University)

11 February – 22 March 2013

Herta Müller: The vicious circle of words

The Goethe Institute‛s exhibition “Herta Müller: The Vicious Circle of Words” presents the life and work of this German-Romanian and a Nobel prize-winner author. The exhibition takes the visitor through her life, from her rural childhood in a Banat village to the awarding of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Some documents and photos owned by the Müller family are exhibited. In television interviews, the writer talks about her life in Romania and Germany, and about her writings.

21 February – 6 April 2013

The Prophets Disarmed: Pavle Zidar/Avgust Gojkovič

It not commonly, actually it is very rare, if not unprecedented, that a Slovenian writer chooses his archivist, biographer and bibliographer. Pavle Zidar found all these abilities in his friend and confidant Avgust Gojkovič. He followed his creative path; he consistently and persistently documented it, and gradually it became an exceptional archive of one of the most productive Slovenian writers.

One man is a writer and the other one is his biographer and archivist. In a way, the life paths of both “prophets” intertwined when in a certain moment they write about each other – Zidar summarizes friend‛s life story in his novels, Gojkovič writes down their conversations and builds the writer’s archive.

Zidar‛s impressive opus comprises 76 published literary works (the last collection of poems was published posthumously): mostly novels, tales, short stories, as well as stories and poems for children. A part of the writer‛s extensive and diverse archive will be exhibited. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the writer’s birth, heirs of the recently deceased scholar August Gojkovič donated the material to the Manuscript Collection of the National and University Library.

18 April – 18 May 2013

MATEJ BOR - On the 100th anniversary of his birth

The exhibition on Matej Bor coincides with the 100th anniversary of his birth (14 April 1913). His artistic contribution was of the most powerful of wartime poets; as one of the best translators of his time, he is also important for his numerous translations of Shakespeare’s work in the Slovenian language.

When his relatives donated the Library his rich legacy, we processed and stored the material, and we undertook to honor his name with the exhibition. We will present the manuscripts of his poems, plays and prose; in addition, his legacy consists of many documents that testify about exciting events of the era: Matej Bor was one of the most eminent personalities of his time. He was influential; he occupied important positions in the cultural and political life. He is known as one of the Yugoslav pioneers involved in founding of ecological associations, and in raising public awareness of this issue. He was also a distinguished critic.

 20 June – 4 September 2013

Unde venis, quo vadis – provenance of old prints

Since the beginning of functioning of the Old Prints collection in 2010, we have discovered and documented more than 300 provenances of older books kept in the National and University Library. Inventory data in the old books, catalogues and other historical records witness about former owners. However, even more revealing are books themselves that disclose extensive information about numerous institutions and individuals who left various ownership marks.

Six thematic sections of the exhibition will reveal where the books were kept before, and how they became part of the Library collection. It will also offer an overview of all forms of specific manifestations of provenances which were discovered between 2010 and 2012. Selected examples of owners’ bookmarks, ex- libris, supra-libris, stamps, bindings, old signatures, old class-marks, subscribers’ lists and other data will be displayed. Prints reflect their amateur or scientific interest for geography, history, art and natural attractions of foreign cities, countries and travels.

1 July – 4 September 2013

In the embrace of two worlds: Slovenes in Argentina

Argentina – the land of fertile highlands, the Ands and sub-tropic jungle. The country welcomed several million immigrants from Europe, among them also Slovenes. The largest flows of immigrants were recorded between 1923 and 1928. The integration process into Argentine society was very difficult.

The unknown language, the very different customs, and the unavoidable need to start again from scratch were burdens that weighed heavily on the newcomers lives. To overcome distress, they gathered in newly formed Slovenian associations: by organizing cultural and sport meetings they maintained social contact and more easily integrated in a new social environment. The majority of Slovenes settled in Buenos Aires; because of its large employment opportunities, it was a magnet for new immigrants.

The exhibition will present traditional forms of gathering of Slovenes in organized social activities in Argentina.

12 September – 19 October 2013

From nation to nation

In 1903, the Slovenian and Croatian students of the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts founded the Vesna Society; its aim was to serve their people during the time of fierce national struggles in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. They endeavored to free the Slovenian art from the German influence, trying to approach the art to the Slovenian people.

The exhibition will present works of the most prominent members of the society - Saša Šantel, Hinko Smrekar, Maksim Gaspari and Ivan Vavpotič. From the foundation of the society until 1906 and later, they painted in oil and watercolor, graphics and drawings; they were also occupied with illustration - designing of books, newspapers, postcards and posters.

3 December 2013 – 11 January 2014