Highest awards of the Alpine Association for 2018

The highest awards of the Alpine Association for 2018 are a tribute to dedicated volunteers.



The Alpine Association of Slovenia each year expresses respect to recipients with its highest awards for their long-term, tireless, and dedicated voluntary work in mountaineering, both in the local and broader social environment. At the solemn award ceremony in Mojstrana on December 1, 2018, ten deserving individuals received PZS solemn certificates, who have left an exceptional mark on mountaineering and the mountaineering organization; eleven mountaineers received commemorative plaques for life jubilees for their successful and devoted activity. In addition to the highest awards, the PZS leadership also presented four awards for special achievements in 2018.



The award ceremony, organized by the Alpine Association in Mojstrana together with Mountaineering Association (PD) Mojstrana and the Municipality of Kranjska Gora, was attended by numerous guests. The recipients were addressed by Jernej Hudolin, Director General of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, as the keynote speaker, who, in the European Year of Cultural Heritage, highlighted the exceptional importance of the Aljaž Tower, a symbol of Slovenian identity, and Planinski vestnik, the oldest Slovenian magazine. "I am particularly pleased that with the joint action Aljaž Tower - Preserve Our Symbol, we have brought cultural attributes of our mountains into the spotlight. Only through joint efforts can we achieve much to ensure that present and future generations of Slovenian mountaineers and alpinists, and all who venture into Slovenian mountains, preserve a respectful attitude toward the rich heritage of Slovenian mountaineering in the broadest sense of the word," said Hudolin, an alpinist and sport climber himself, and congratulated those present: "I sincerely congratulate all recipients of the awards and wish you much success in the future, above all safe steps on mountaineering trails and unforgettable experiences in our wonderful mountain world." >>> The full speech can be read at this link.



The highest PZS awards are an expression of respect and a modest token of appreciation to individuals for their long-term dedicated and voluntary work in various fields of mountaineering activities. "Every year, those who have significantly contributed with your work and loyalty to the mountaineering movement gather, keeping the mountaineering movement very much alive even after 125 years. Many received your first awards in your youth for sports achievements, but today you receive them for organizational work, guiding, as instructors at training courses, as trail markers or hut managers, for long-term work in mountaineering. We are glad for such awards, as they signify that our mountaineering comrades value our work. We work voluntarily, yet we are richly rewarded for it with satisfaction from a job well done, and also with the bonds forged among us. Sincere congratulations and thank you for everything," paid tribute to the recipients PZS President Jože Rovan. Also speaking were Janez Hrovat, Mayor of the Municipality of Kranjska Gora, and Gregor Berce, President of PD Dovje - Mojstrana, which is celebrating 90 years this year; in 2018, we also honored 125 years of organized mountaineering in Slovenia and the 240th anniversary of the first documented ascent of Triglav.



The mountaineering-themed cultural event, prepared by members of PD Dovje - Mojstrana, was enhanced with songs by the vocal group Triglavski zvonovi and students of OŠ 16. decembra Mojstrana, who took the audience back to the time of Jakob Aljaž and Požganca, a role excellently played by Marsel Gomboc. The attendees viewed the photo exhibition "Moja Slovenija" by Janez Kramar, the Slovenian Mountaineering Museum, and the Park of Olympians. On behalf of all recipients, local Klavdij Mlekuž, recipient of a solemn certificate, proudly expressed thanks.



Recipients of the highest awards of the Alpine Association of Slovenia for 2018



Recipients of PZS SOLEMN CERTIFICATES, the highest awards of the Alpine Association of Slovenia, for 2018:

Vinko Novak (PD Videm Krško) for long-term work in PD Videm, especially in hut management and guiding,

Janez Glažar (PD Matica Murska Sobota) for extensive and dedicated work with youth and work on creating the Pomurska planinska pot guidebook,

Janez Bruno Oman (PD Zavod za zdravstveno varstvo Celje) for long-term work in PD, especially guiding, and for setting a good example in protecting mountain nature, respecting mountain cultural landscape and its inhabitants,

Anton Sitar (PD Vransko) for long-term work in PD Vransko, work in mountaineering management and guiding, and exceptional contribution to the development of mountaineering in the Lower Savinja Valley,

Franc Čretnik (PD Liboje) for long-term versatile work in PD Liboje, youth work, and efforts in recruiting new members and preserving mountaineering values,

Andrej Kuzman (PD Velenje) posthumously for extensive work in PD Velenje and all the beautiful moments mountaineers experienced on his trips around Slovenia and beyond,

Pino Giuseppe Rudež (SPD Trst) for long-term work in SPD Trst, connecting with Slovenian mountaineers, and instilling mountaineering spirit and love in schools in the border region,

Klavdij Mlekuž (PD Dovje - Mojstrana) for exceptional contribution in alpinism and hiking, educating young alpinists, rescue work in mountains, and work in PD and MDO PD Gorenjske,

Anton Nastran (PD za Selško dolino Železniki) for long-term dedicated work in PD za Selško dolino Železniki, with emphasis on management,

Ivan Eder (PD Pošte in Telekoma Maribor) for long-term versatile active work in mountaineering management, guiding, and training guides.

PZS COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES, awarded by the Alpine Association of Slovenia on life jubilees to its most deserving members for their long-term loyal and exceptionally successful work, were received by:



For 65 years:

Anton Pečovnik (PD Luče) for extensive work in PD, whether assisting trail markers, hut work, or handling administrative matters,

Miro Štebe (PD Onger Trzin) for extensive work in PD and all interesting contributions with which he has informed or still informs us through the media.

For 70 years:

Dušan Šip (PD Žalec) for work in PD and very rich work in mountaineering camps, youth work, and their education,

Cvetka Jug (PD Tolmin) for much work done in PD Tolmin, youth work, although done quietly and unobtrusively, PD thanks her for all the work,

Frančiška Vovk (PD Krka Novo mesto) for all hours of voluntary work, all assistance in organizing trips, the club newsletter, and all other work in PD,

Franc Kepic (PD Rašica) posthumously for all work done in the Rašica mountaineering hut and long-term work in PD mainly in management,

Darinka Kocbek (PD Miklavž) for all administrative work in PD and leading all trips, whether for children or older mountaineers, whom she not only led but also educated in the mountaineering spirit,

Marjan Ručigaj (PD Iskra Kranj) for long-term work in PD, all conducted trips or longer mountain excursions, and participation in youth education.

For 75 years:

Jože Pur (PD Polzela) for long-term work in PD in various fields, especially youth work.

For 80 years:

Edvard Privšek (PD Rimske Toplice) for all work done in PD, especially management, while not forgetting hiking,

Marija Pilko (PD Železničar Maribor) for abundant good work in PD and all trips she led, always trying to connect hiking with history and culture.



Awards from the leadership of the Alpine Association of Slovenia for special achievements in 2018, presented by the PZS Presidency, were received by:

Miha Lampreht - PZS gold honorary badge for his work and contribution in alpinism, publishing and journalistic activities, and related popularization of mountaineering,

Krka, tovarna zdravil, d. d., Novo mesto - PZS gold honorary badge for the successfully implemented project "V skrbi za vaše zdravje skupaj osvajamo vrhove",

Javni zavod RTV Slovenija - PZS gold honorary badge for significant contribution to public information and popularization of mountaineering,

Teja Ličen - PZS praise for master's thesis titled: Vpliv akutne normobarične hipoksije na refleks H med aktivacijo mišice soleus.

PDF BULLETIN: Solemn award ceremony of the highest PZS awards for 2018



We sincerely thank all recipients of the awards for their dedicated work in the mountaineering organization and congratulate them from the heart!