7.08.2015
Oh, Triglav, my home on the 120th anniversary of the Aljaž Tower.
On August 7, 1895, Triglav was enveloped in dense fog, pierced only by the clatter of the masters' picks as they built the Aljaž Tower on the Slovenian peak, a precious monument of Slovenian history and a living meeting point for all well-intentioned people. Exactly 120 years later, the sun accompanied the celebration of the venerable jubilee of the symbol of Slovenhood, at the commemorative ceremony where a joyful crowd of mountaineers gathered this morning. Just like in 1895, the Slovenian mountaineering anthem Oh, Triglav, my home echoed from Slovenia's peak today.
Today marks 120 years since the nationally conscious priest and composer from Dovje, Jakob Aljaž, realized his long-standing dream of erecting a tower on top of Triglav, which represented an invaluable step in shaping the national identity of the Slovenes amid increasingly strong German influences. "We announce to all Slovenes the very joyful news that we have regained the giant of Slovenian mountains, the magnificent Triglav, into our old possession. This year we have built the already famous Aljaž Tower on its summit, renowned throughout Europe," joyfully announced the Planinski vestnik in distant 1895, which is also celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. The Aljaž Tower was already considered a symbol of Slovenhood upon its construction, and this noble role has been preserved by the cultural and historical monument of national importance to this day.
Just as at the official opening of the tower on August 22, 1895, the Slovenian mountaineering anthem Oh, Triglav, my home echoed from Slovenia's peak today. Accompanied by zither player Tomaž Plahutnik, baritone Marko Kobal sang it movingly. It was composed by the father of our 120-year-old, Jakob Aljaž, who sang it with tears in his eyes as he knelt embracing the tower during the blessing 120 years ago. The principal singer of the Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana and the renowned zither player also accompanied the celebration with the songs Veseli pastir and Slovenec sem.
President of the Alpine Association of Slovenia Bojan Rotovnik highlighted in his speech the nationally conscious activities of Jakob Aljaž, "a man of broad views who also sought to promote patriotism and love for the mountains among Slovenes in this way." The priest from Dovje, by erecting the tower—a unique structure on the Alpine summits that with its round shape is also a symbol of eternity—wished to emphasize the Slovenian character of Triglav and at the same time offer shelter to mountaineers. "He undoubtedly contributed a significant piece to the mosaic of centuries-long endeavors of Slovenes for an independent state and to the great popularity of mountaineering among Slovenes," emphasized the head of PZS, who did not forget the necessary joint efforts for the preservation of the tower—both by the state, which must as soon as possible designate a permanent caretaker in accordance with the law, and by all visitors to Triglav, who can contribute with a respectful attitude towards the tower. "As president of the Slovenian mountaineering organization, I can assure you that in the future we will strive together with other stakeholders for systematic and professional care for the Aljaž Tower on Triglav, so that it will continue to be our pride and joy," he added. The speech by PZS President Bojan Rotovnik is published at this link.
Descendants of Jakob Aljaž, the Kovač family from Vikrč, also mountain lovers and musicians, attended the solemn event. Proud of him and his precious contribution to Slovenhood, they recalled Aljaž's thought passed down from generation to generation: "Hatred bears no fruit, one lives well in friendship."
Just as the ceremony at the opening of the Aljaž Tower in 1895 was modest, so was today's event on top of Triglav, hosted by journalist Blaž Lesnik, vice-president of PD Ljubljana-Matica. The jubilee in honor of the sturdy 120-year-old continues in the afternoon. In Dovje at 4 p.m., there will be a wreath-laying at Jakob Aljaž's grave and at 4:30 p.m. a memorial Mass for Jakob Aljaž in the parish church. At 6 p.m., the Slovenian Alpine Museum in Mojstrana hosts the gala academy Oh, Triglav, my home. The cultural program will be co-created by the Jesenice-Kranjska Gora Brass Band with a medley of mountaineering-folk songs, Oktet Bori, Julijana Folklore Group, Notranjska Craftsmen's Mixed Choir, and Marko Kobal and Tomaž Plahutnik; on this occasion, two exhibitions open in the museum: Aljaž Tower – This tin has a soul! and works by some participants of the Vrata 2015 painting colony, several guests will speak, and the role of keynote speaker is entrusted to Miro Eržen, vice-president of the Alpine Association of Slovenia, also long-time director of the Slovenian Alpine Museum and a native of Mojstrana.
The celebration of the 120th anniversary of the erection of the Aljaž Tower on Triglav was organized by the Alpine Association of Slovenia in cooperation with the Municipality of Kranjska Gora, Triglav National Park, Slovenian Alpine Museum, PD Dovje-Mojstrana, PD Ljubljana-Matica, Dovje Parish, and the Ljubljana Archdiocese, under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor.