The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today met the Former President of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Milan Kucan. Celebrating the Day of Independence of the Republic of Slovenia, President Kucan awarded President Ivanov with the collection “Iconotheca Valvasoriana”, consisted of 17 large-size volumes which represent a monumental scientific project of the Republic of Slovenia.
At the awarding ceremony of the impressive collection, President Ivanov extended his gratitude that Macedonia is one of the rare countries awarded with the collection “Iconotheca Valvasoriana” – national treasure of the Republic of Slovenia. Ivanov also thanked for the Slovenian support for Macedonia in the European integration processes, as well as for the facilitation of the visa liberalization. “We have Europe here. We have that Europe which was more united and more solidary than this Europe of today. The differences were tolerated, what was worth was respected and what was to remain for the next generations was stored”, stated President Ivanov.
The Former Slovenian President Kucan indicated that Europe shall have its future only if it recognizes the differences of the identities and cultures. President Kucan emphasized that the name, the language and the identity are a sovereign right to every nation which no one can deny. Europe shall have its future if it recognizes the differences of the identities and cultures otherwise the idea of united Europe shall cease to exist.
„Iconotheca Valvasoriana“ is a collection of European graphics by Janez Vajkard Valvasor (1641-1693). The collection is consisted of 17 large-size volumes which encompass a total of 7,752 scientific-critical facsimiles of prints and drawings by eminent European scientists and masters of the 15th, 16th and 17th century.
The collection “Iconotheca Valvasoriana” will be kept in the Presidential Library and it will be available for scientists for their scientific work.