Temporary Exhibition Gifts to the state. Collections of gifts to presidents of the Republic of Slovenia
On display: 10th June 2026 until 6th December 2026
Opening: Tuesday 9th June 2026, 6pm
Location: Ground-floor exhibition galleries
Curators: dr. Monika Kokalj Kočevar, Irena Ribič, Nataša Strlič
The exhibition presents a selection of interesting gifts received during their terms of office by the Presidents of the Republic of Slovenia, Milan Kučan, Dr. Janez Drnovšek, Dr. Danilo Türk, Borut Pahor and current President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar and creates a dialogue between different periods. The themes, which go beyond the terms of office, and the objects collected in the exhibition testify to the development of Slovene statehood, international recognition and the activity of the Republic of Slovenia in the world, and the ties between the state and its institutions, organizations and individuals.
The gifts are not the personal property of office holders, but are the heritage of the Republic of Slovenia. They are an expression of official relations, a symbol of respect and recognition, and an important element of the diplomatic language with which the state positions itself in the international space and, at the same time, builds a relationship with its citizens.
The exhibition does not tell the stories of individuals, but the story of an institution. Gifts thus become documents of time and part of the common memory of the country and are a material expression of its continuity.
The accompanying catalogue presents a selection of gifts to the former Presidents of the Republic of Slovenia, which are kept by the National Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia.
The opening of the exhibition is held under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar.