Prime Minister Janša: Freedom cannot be taken for granted; it is our duty to preserve it for future generations

He also emphasised the importance of preserving the values of independence, national unity and a sense of responsibility for the future of an independent and sovereign Slovenia.

In his ceremonial address, the Prime Minister recalled the historic morning of 26 October 1991, when Slovenia finally became free and sovereign following the departure of the last soldier of the Yugoslav army.

"When the first rays of autumn sunshine appeared that morning and illuminated the old town centre of Koper, Slovenia was free and sovereign. The song of the seagulls woke the town as it had every day before, but this time the waves were breaking against a free Slovenian coast," he said.

Independence is the result of the Slovenian nation's courage and determination

The Prime Minister emphasised that, by gaining independence, the Slovenian nation had secured the right to decide its own future. He recalled Slovenia's remarkable progress in development following independence and its accession to major international organisations.

"This was no gift from history, but the result of the courage of a generation that secured the country's independence and believed Slovenia was capable of more," he said.

He also pointed out the importance of the values that united the Slovenian nation during the independence process and gained democratic legitimacy through the plebiscite held in December 1990. He singled out the right to live in freedom and dignity, government by elected representatives and economic development in a sovereign state of the Slovenian nation.

"There were some mistakes along the way. But the country born of the nation's courageous decision to choose freedom and independence had proven that it was not only standing but would withstand," he said.

The Prime Minister also drew attention to missed development opportunities and the consequences of political exclusion. He added that Slovenia should be able to unite the knowledge, creativity and abilities of people with different political beliefs in pursuit of common goals. He placed particular emphasis on respecting historical memory, the symbols of the independent state and the achievements of the generation that secured Slovenia's independence.

"Today, Slovenians face the challenge of correcting the mistakes of the second half and gathering momentum anew. And that is what we will do," he said.

We won our freedom; it is our responsibility to preserve it

In the concluding part of his speech, the Prime Minister paid tribute to all those who contributed to the creation of an independent Slovenia, particularly those who sacrificed their lives for it.

"Thirty-five years ago, we Slovenians showed the world that we were prepared to do whatever it took for our homeland. At decisive moments in our history, brave young men and men stood up to defend freedom and the Slovenian nation's right to its own state," he said.

He emphasised that the memory of independence is not only a tribute to the past, but also a commitment to future generations.

"Their sacrifice commits us to protecting Slovenia and keeping it free. We must ensure that the crisp autumn morning when we first drew breath in complete freedom is never taken for granted."

"It is our duty to leave future generations more freedom, joy of living, security, opportunities and peace than we ourselves inherited," the Prime Minister stressed, concluding his speech with a message to generations to come:

"This is our homeland. Our ancestors dreamed of it. Our fathers fought and died for it. And they entrusted it to us to preserve for you."

A ceremony celebrating freedom, patriotism and historical memory

The national ceremony marking Sovereignty Day and the 35th anniversary of the liberation of the Republic of Slovenia took place at Ukmarjev trg in Koper, a symbolic location where the withdrawal of the Yugoslav army from Slovenia was completed in October 1991.

The venue was flanked by the Slovenian Armed Forces vessels Triglav 11 and Ankaran 21. The occasion was also marked by the presence of Italian and Croatian naval vessels, a 155-metre US guided-missile destroyer, and flypasts by helicopters and military aircraft, including two Italian Eurofighter jets. Parachutists brought the flags of allied countries and the City Municipality of Koper to the venue.

Through music, Slovenian poetry and prose, dance, documentary footage and contemporary video imagery, the artistic programme evoked the historic events of 35 years ago. The values of freedom, patriotism, historical memory and responsibility for Slovenia's shared future took centre stage.

The Slovenian Police Orchestra and the Slovenian Armed Forces Orchestra, conducted by Nejc Bečan and Mitja Dragolič, performed alongside Lara Komar, Tinkara Kovač, Rubi Kužel, Gregor Ravnik, Ana Dežman, Rudolf Strnad and the dancers of Pro Dance. The ceremony was written and directed by Katja Pegan.

The ceremony combined the memory of the Slovenian nation's historic victory with a reflection on the importance of freedom, sovereignty and responsibility for Slovenia's future.

After the ceremony, the Prime Minister also visited the US Navy destroyer USS Oscar Austin in Koper, where the US Navy joined the Slovenian Armed Forces in marking Sovereignty Day.