News

On 27 June 1991, Zoran Dernovšek, member of the Territorial Defence of the Republic of Slovenia and a skilful operator of the Strela 2M anti-aircraft missile system, shot down the first enemy helicopter during the conflict in former Yugoslavia. Thirty years later, he remembers that fateful day when he shot down the Yugoslav People's Army helicopter. It was undoubtedly one of the most important events of that time, and was crucial to Slovenia gaining independence.

At an online event on 1 February, the Elan company of Begunje showcased its new innovative product: Elan Voyager, the first fully functional folding all-mountain carving skis in the world. Elan is certain that this is a global innovation. These new skis, which facilitate user access to the slopes, will also change the future of skiing.

The main topics at the consultation session of the delegate club of the Party of Democratic Reform were the resolution on dissolution and a new Slovenian flag without the red star. Former owners of the property expropriated after the Second World War were concerned about the restriction of ownership rights.

The results of Delo Stik’s telephone survey of 731 randomly selected telephone subscribers were presented on Friday, 15 February 1991. More than half of the respondents replied that Slovenia should speed up the independence process and become independent before the official expiry of the six-month deadline set at the plebiscite.

»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.