France Prešeren
(1800 – 1849)
By Tiana Hor.
France Prešeren, the greatest Slovenian poet from Kranj is thinking of studying Law in
Vienna. He’s a very good student and will probably succeed. He’s also in love with
Primičeva Julija, but he knows that she will never be his because she belongs to the
aristocratic society. Nonetheless a fortune-teller told him that he will have three
children with a woman named Ana Jelovšek,and that the words of the Slovenian
anthem will be taken from the seventh verse of one of his most famous poems,
Zdravljica (A Toast). Prešeren's poems and sonnets many of which project national
awareness, will be translated into more than ten world languages.
Živé naj vsi naródi,
ki hrepené dočakat' dan,
da, koder sonce hodi,
prepir iz svéta bo pregnan,
da rojak
prost bo vsak,
ne vrag, le sosed bo mejak!
God's blessing on all nations,
Who long and work for that bright day,
When o'er earth's habitations
No war, no strife shall hold its sway;
Who long to see
That all men free
No more shall foes, but neighbours be.