The Honorary Committee for Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of Primož Trubar met at its first session in Ljubljana today. The Committee was appointed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia on 28 November 2007 and is chaired by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk. In his opening address, the President stressed that Primož Trubar was one of the most prominent Slovenian figures of whom a lot remains to be learnt. "Therefore, this is an opportunity to present all, also the less known, aspects of his personality and his work," said Mr Türk, calling for an even more active role for the Honorary Committee.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, expressed satisfaction that the Slovenian language, which was consolidated by Primož Trubar, now stands on an equal footing with all other official languages of the European Union. In this way, Trubar's famous quote 'To stand and withstand' has become reality. Slovene not only 'stood', but has also 'withstood', and it behoves us, according to the PM, to see that it develops further and becomes even more recognised. In his view, the 500th anniversary of Trubar's birth is one of the most important anniversaries for Slovenia and the Slovenian people. "The discussion of the Honorary Committee showed that Slovenia is virtually unanimous as regards Primož Trubar's role," said Mr Janša, stressing that Slovenia has declared 2008 the Year of Primož Trubar.

Members of the Committee agreed that the Committee had convened at the right time, just ahead of the Slovenian cultural holiday and at a time when we remember the 250th anniversary of the birth of Valentin Vodnik. The Committee is composed of senior representatives of the state and religious and spiritual institutions, which gives particular significance to the commemoration. At the same time, this is special recognition of one of the greatest Slovenes, Primož Trubar, whose literary language helped to create a nation that would once be united in the Republic of Slovenia. Primož Trubar was a true European intellectual, who was actively involved in the most influential changes of his time. His work is all the more important now that Slovenia is presiding over the Council of the European Union.

The Chairman of the Coordinating Committee for State Celebrations, Aleksander Zorn, who called today's meeting, said the organisation of events had been going on for some time in the form of three concentric circles. The first is the Honorary Committee, which gives weight and meaning to the events. The second is the Organisational Committee, composed of representatives of the Ministry of Culture, the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Evangelical Church in Slovenia, the Primož Trubar Slovenian Protestant Society, the municipality where Primož Trubar was born, and the Coordination Committee for State Celebrations. The last and widest circle is represented by Slovenian towns and municipalities, which will also organise various events. Trubar's anniversary will thus be celebrated across Slovenia throughout the year. Many events will also take place beyond Slovenia's borders in Germany, where most of the events will be organised by the Evangelical Church and the Slovenian Protestant Society.  

The anniversary is listed on the UNESCO anniversary list, which is a great achievement; the only other anniversary included is that of the birth of Jurij Vega. The list of all events that will take pace on this occasion has been published on UNESCO's web site. The visual identity of the event has been designed, a commemorative booklet will be published, Pošta Slovenije has issued a commemorative stamp, and a commemorative coin will be issued. Schools, too, will make additional efforts to highlight the role of Primož Trubar to primary and secondary school students.