In the garden of the Plečnik House in Trnovo, on 12 June, we ceremoniously presented the Župančič Awards for 2019, the highest recognitions of the City of Ljubljana for outstanding creations in the field of art and culture, which are lastingly enriching the cultural treasure chest of our city and are resounding even in the wider national and international area with their excellence.

The Župančič Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 went to the academic painter Marlenka Stupica.

Marlenka Stupica has been for decades continuously co-creating the solid core of Slovenian illustration, and with her broad oeuvre, reflecting modern painting in her own way, she elevated Slovenian book illustration to the global level. With her artistic depictions she left a mark on children and the youth in Slovenia, be it in many reprints of the Red Riding Hood, Pipi Longstocking, Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, Trooser the Tailor, Star Money, Sheppard … Or her anthology Tale Tree, a true treasure chest of her art, opening the doors to the wold of imagination, beauty and timelessness.

Župančič Awards for Two-Year Creativity (2017-2019) were presented to:

• Ballet dancer and choreographer Sanja Nešković Peršin
• Pianist and pedagogue Bojan Gorišek
• Director and screenwriter Urša Menart

Congratulations to all award winners!