February 8th: Prešeren Day, the Slovene Cultural Holiday

February 8th is declared a work free day in Slovenija since 1991. It is the biggest Cultural Holiday in Slovenija and all the galleries and museums have a free entrance on that day. February 8th is France Prešeren Day.
Dr. France Prešeren was a 19th century Romantic Slovene poet and a lawyer. He was born on December 2nd or 3rd 1800 and died on February 8th 1849.
One of his many famous works is "Zdravljica" / "A toast", which is also a national anthem of Slovenia. ⇐ Check the link, there are lyrics in english and slovene!

Every year on this day I visit galleries and museums. This year I only had time to visit The Slovenian National Gallery and The Museum of Modern Art.
In Slovenian National Gallery was from June 21st untill February 10th open Ivana Kobilca exhibition named "Painting is something beautiful...". Beautiful, worth of seeing. If you didn't make it, some of her works are part of National Gallery permanent collection and you can see them anytime.

Does this old man reminds you of someone? 😏