Aljažev tower has stood on Triglav summit for 114 years already. But maybe not much longer? Symbol of Slovenianhood has become apple of discord. We present both sides.
On the news that Slovenian Mountaineering Museum in Mojstrana will open doors on August 7, 2010, i.e. on municipal holiday of Kranjska Gora and on 115th anniversary of Aljaž tower erection, president of Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS) Franc Ekar also presented association's initiative to relocate Aljaž tower to the museum. The tower is according to Ekar's words already badly corroded by time, so they want to place an identical copy of 1895 tower on Triglav summit. Otherwise Aljaž tower was declared cultural monument of national importance in 1999.
The mentioned PZS intent is fiercely opposed by Triglav Friends society, which is also preparing protest rally on Saturday. On Triglav summit, of course. They claim that PZS wants to move the tower purely for marketing purposes, as they need attractive exhibit for the museum. We talked to representatives of both sides: for Triglav Friends spoke Igor Zlodej, whose accusations we then presented to PZS president Franc Ekar.
For comment we also turned to Institute for Protection of Cultural Heritage, but failed to reach them.
Zlodej: "Even greens chain themselves somewhere"
You stated that Aljaž tower on Triglav would last "another hundred years". Is your statement backed by scientific evidence?
Igor Zlodej: No scientific evidence, but fact is the tower has been up there 114 years, nothing wrong with it, in excellent condition. It will last substantially more than 100 years!
What in your opinion is the main reason PZS decided to move the tower to museum?
Igor Zlodej: Intrigues happen at PZS... But main reason, as PZS head also stated, is that every museum needs exhibit that attracts people, and that should be Aljaž tower in Mojstrana. Museum director Eržen confirmed that too. If he lied, we lie too.
How will you try to prevent tower move if such decision is really made?
Igor Zlodej: For now we alerted public what is happening, on Saturday August 8 at 11am there will be protest gathering on Triglav summit. Given public opinion mostly against, we think they won't dare do it. If they decide so, we'll act, by any means try to prevent it. There are various forms, even greens for example chain themselves somewhere. Much is possible. But we hope it won't happen and reason will prevail.
Ekar: "Nobody can own Triglav summit"
Why did PZS decide for tower relocation?
Franc Ekar: We decided nothing. Only initiative from caretakers was given, we confirmed it and proposed professional metallurgical check of tower and determine condition. Years took toll. Decision will be made by restorers and at end they'll assess if tower still firm enough. If too worn, we'll relocate it. Also in Vatican and Paris values are preserved, preserving monuments for descendants should be wish of every citizen. Even Knežji kamen wouldn't be in museum today if handful opponents listened.
If needed, we'll help experts with safe access to Triglav, our guides will accompany them. Need to find out what state was in 1895, tower witnessed various social and political events, was in different hands, in 1999 culture ministry declared it nationally important cultural monument. Jakob Aljaž donated it to PZS and was honored with honorary membership, so tower is property of the association.
How do you reply to accusations by Triglav Friends society that it's only marketing move by museum and association? They claim tower on Triglav summit would last another hundred years.
Franc Ekar: We don't reply to that, no contacts with them. That's bunch of inventions. We don't play "bandit style", legal order must be. Our goal is to preserve tower, either on mountain top or in museum. We advocate for tower in Mojstrana not Ljubljana if it has to go to museum. Tower is PZS property, must be respected, experts needed for all. State must care for cultural heritage preservation. Nobody can usurp Triglav summit and own it, not politically, not religiously, not proprietarily... Must be accessible to all planet inhabitants, not just self-appointed special ones.
Preserve what has stood on Triglav summit for 114 years already.