A widely renowned figure of European Romanticism,
Prešeren established through his prodigious work a focus for Slovenia's first
national programme.
"Zdravljica" represents the peak of Prešeren's political poetry. It was written
in autumn 1844, removed from the manuscript of the collection of poems
Poezije (1847) by the censors, and published on April 26, 1848 in the
newspaper Novice after the collapse of Metternich's absolutism and the termination
of censorship. Its dominant idea, a radical demand for freedom of the Slovenian
nation, arises from the humanistic vision of equality and friendly coexistence
of all nations, and all people's right to independence. It originates from the
concepts of the French Revolution of equality, freedom and brotherhood, which
were adjusted to the basic political needs of the Slovenian people at the time
of the "Spring of Nations" and concerned their independence. However, Prešren's
"Marseillaise" reaches beyond the nature of a political manifesto and bears a
strong note of intimate humanity.
In the history of constituting the Slovenian
nation Prešeren's "Zdravljica" was of extreme conceptual significance. It became
particularly topical during the occupation and National Liberation Struggle
from 1941 to 1945, and in the period of what was called the "Slovenian Spring"
in the eighties when it started to be sung as the national anthem on state
holidays and major public events.
Zdravljica was proclaimed the new Slovenian anthem on September 27, 1989 when
the Slovenian Assembly adopted the Amendments to the Slovenian Constitution.
The National Anthem of the Republic of Slovenia was adopted on March
29, 1990 and specified the seventh stanza, set to the music of Stanko Premrl as
the actual anthem.
Following the independence of Slovenia, the National Assembly adopted (in 1994) the law governing the official crest, the national flag and the anthem of the Republic of Slovenia.
Who long and work for that bright day,
When o'er earth's habitation
No war, no strife shall hold its sway;
Who long to see
That all man free
No more shall foes, but neighbours be.
Who long to see
That all man free
No more shall foes, but . . .
No more shall foes, but neighbours be.