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Exhibition The History of Slovenian Parliamentarism

The exhibition presents the development of Slovenian parliamentarism, specifically from the enthronement of princes in the Carantanian principality and up to the first democratic elections in the tricameral Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia in April 1990, the adoption of the democratic constitution of the independent Republic of Slovenia in 1991, and the constituting of the 90-member National Assembly (December 1992).

The lobby of the Great Hall of the National Assembly building is enhanced by a mural by Slavko Pengov from 1958, which provides a visually powerful presentation of the rebellious aspect of Slovenia's history from its settlement and up to the period of the Second World War. Setting up the permanent exhibition The History of Slovenian Parliamentarism is thus a supplement and extension of this, and at the same time also the fulfilment of an initiative of many years to present Slovenia's recent history.

History of Slovenian Parliamentarism on glass wall

Eight exhibition panels present the development of Slovenian parliamentarism, specifically from the enthronement of princes in the Carantanian principality and up to the first democratic elections in the tricameral Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia in April 1990, the adoption of the democratic constitution of the independent Republic of Slovenia in 1991, and the constituting of the 90-member National Assembly (December 1992).

The exhibition also recalls other major milestones in the emergence and development of the Slovenian state (the plebiscite on the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Slovenia, the ten-day war, Slovenia's membership in international organisations, the introduction of the euro, and more).

Its content was provided by Jožko Šavli, specifically the presentation up to 1848, and Janko Prunk, the presentation from1848 onwards.

Slovenia's anthem on glass wall

The exhibition was opened on 6 January 2008 during events marking the 15th anniversary of the National Assembly.

The chronological course of events leads first from the left towards the centre, while the central space of the exhibition is occupied by the Slovene coat-of-arms and the national anthem; the more recent events relating to independence lead from the right towards the centre. This stresses the idea that Slovenian national independence and its parliamentary democracy are the results not only of recent independence efforts, but also of a feeling for parliamentary decision-making which is deeply rooted in the nation's history.

A brochure Slovenia in the Light of Parliamentary Tradition was published to accompany the exhibition, providing a summary of the exhibition as well as additional explanations by Janko Prunk for the period after 1848.

History of Slovenian Parliamentarism, front page