»We were the first generation to go to the army after secondary school, we went to university only after completing our military service,« recalls the current Minister of the Interior, Aleš Hojs, who was drafted into the Territorial Defence several times during his studies to participate in military exercises. He was drafted during the war for Slovenia, but as he points out, he more or less spent it waiting and did not take up arms, as there were not enough weapons because Slovenia had been disarmed. »It was then that we actually experienced how the whole nation, both those who were under arms and those who were not, stood up to get their own country,« he added.

One important topic related to this is digitalisation. This in turn has brought many new challenges, and at the given moment we are faced with both its advantages and disadvantages.

Composer Jakob Jež, painter Zoran Mušič and author Marjan Rožanc are the artists who received the 1991 Prešeren Award for lifetime achievement.

Writer, playwright and essayist Drago Jančar is the most translated and awarded Slovenian author. Four Kresnik Awards for his novels, the Prešeren Prize for his oeuvre, the Herder Prize and the Austrian State Prize for European Literature are only some of the accolades he has earned. He draws inspiration from history and life in all its nuances. His books remind us of what happens when a national border turns into a frontline overnight.

Gustav Tönnies, founder of one of the most enterprising and successful families in the territory of the 19th century Slovenia, was a successful businessman, who took good advantage of the opportunities offered by the expansion of major infrastructural projects in the second half of the 19th century. His sons carried on his work, but were after the disintegration of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy faced with new problems and challenges arising from newly created states. The Archives of the Republic of Slovenia keeps extensive probate records of Gustav Tönnies, which contain as many as 54 documents, including several property inventories.

The developments in Yugoslavia on Sunday, 27 January, were primarily marked by the consequences of the decisions reached at the Friday and Saturday sessions of the Presidency of the SFRY. This at least temporarily removed the threat of an armed conflict starting in Yugoslavia. In addition, Kiro Gligorov became the first democratically elected president of Macedonia on that day. In the international arena, public attention around the globe continued to be focused primarily on the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.

On 20 January 1991, Slovenian Defence Minister Janez Janša and Igor Bavčar, Minister of the Interior, met their Croatian counterparts, Martin Špegelj and Josip Boljkovac, in Zagreb to conclude a mutual defence assistance agreement.

Miha Mlakar is a former captain of the Slovenian Davis Cup team, and a Doctor of Science specialising in algorithms and artificial intelligence, a researcher linking artificial intelligence, data and sport.

It had been ten days since 9 January 1991, when the Yugoslav Presidency adopted the order regarding the disarmament and disbandment of all armed units that were not part of the armed forces of the Yugoslav People's Army. A deadline of ten days was specified for the surrender of weapons.

On Friday, 18 January 1991, international political developments were marked by the escalation of the war in the Gulf that had started several days previously. A surprise Iraqi attack on Israel triggered fears that the conflict would turn into a "holy war".

As elsewhere in the world, the outbreak of the Gulf War was the main topic in Slovenia on 17 January 1991. The war began at 2:30 a.m. when the Americans, together with their allies, bombed Baghdad. The war, which was the result of the Iraqi invasion of neighbouring Kuwait, also triggered great fear and concern in Slovenia.

Slovenian industry in crisis

On Wednesday, 16 January 1991, the Slovenian Statistical Office presented the data on the situation in Slovenian industry. In 1990, Slovenian industrial production was down by as much as 10.5 per cent in comparison to 1989.

A proposal to issue the Military Service Act was discussed at the session of the Commission for Defence at the Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia. The proposed Act introduced innovations made necessary due to changes in the political and defence systems: the duration of military service was shortened, conscientious objection to military service for religious, philosophical and moral reasons was recognised, and the obligations relating to reserve service were reduced.

As the custodian of the "I feel Slovenia" national brand, we are pleased that a series of "I feel Slovenia" vehicles has been placed on the market which represents the best the Slovenian automotive industry has to offer.

14 January 1991 was greatly marked by the Soviet military intervention in Lithuania that had ended the day before. The prominent Soviets led by Mikhail Gorbachev had shied away from their responsibility for the bloodshed that killed 14 people, and which turned into a fiasco for the Soviets.

Over 90 deputies of DEMOS, government ministers and prominent representatives of the ruling coalition parties met in Poljče on the second weekend in January 1991. Behind closed doors, they discussed the new Slovenian Constitution arising from the plebiscite decision.

Slovenia is a small country, but remarkably diverse and dynamic. Its colourfulness is also reflected in the Slovenian language, which prides itself on its many dialects. The dialects reflect the specific features of individual Slovenian regions, their culture, as well as linguistic and ethnographic heritage.

The online column Archivalia of the Month has been published since January 2011. Its purpose is to promote the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia and its archival holdings. Presented in the column are archival documents that are interesting visually and content-wise, as well as newly acquired documents or the ones that have so far been overlooked. Also published are documents relating to various anniversaries, current events and many more.

Below you will find the Archivalias of the Month of 2021.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Congress of the Holy Alliance, probably the most important diplomatic event Ljubljana has ever had the pleasure to host. Carniolan authorities and citizens of Ljubljana were not part of high politics, but were included mainly in the organizational aspect of the congress, providing accommodation and entertainment for their distinguished guests during their stay in Ljubljana. Compared to the significance of the event, the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia keeps relatively few documents related to the congress. The records preserved refer mainly to the arrival and accommodation of the attendees, as well as organization of evening ballroom dances. Exhibited here is an invitation to four pre-carnival balls at the Ljubljana dance hall.

“When we remember our unity 30 years ago, we rejoice at the rebirth and countless opportunities brought forward every year,” said Prime Minister Janez Janša in his ceremonial address at the state celebration of the independence and unity day. This year’s ceremony was organised in the form of a television show, due to the epidemiological situation. The speaker was the prime minister and the ceremony also included a remarkable historical collage.