16 June 2006

Exhibition celebrates Slovenia’s independence Opinions 16 June 2006 - NATO Speech by Matjaž Šinkovec, Permanent Representative of Slovenia on the North Atlantic Council, at the opening of the exhibition “Defending Democratic Slovenia 1991” Celebrating Slovenia's 15th anniversary of independence as well as the 15th anniversary of the Slovenian Armed Forces, the Slovenian Mission to NATO opened an exhibition “Defending Democratic Slovenia 1991” at NATO HQ. The exhibition was opened by the Slovenian Permanent Representative on the North Atlantic Council, Matjaž Šinkovec, on 16 June 2006 at 12.30. The Slovenian Permanent Representative talking with his colleagues on the North Atlantic Council The exhibition was prepared by the Slovenian Armed Forces Military Museum, established in 2004. About 30 000 people have seen it in Slovenia, Austria and Canada. With nearly 300 photos it shows parts of Slovenia’s path to independence and successful establishment and defence of democracy in 1990 and 1991. The author of the exhibition is Mr Albin Mikulič. The opening of the exhibition was accompanied by a short performance by the Slovenian Armed Forces Band, established in 1996. The Slovenian Armed Forces Band is directed by Ljubo Vošnjak and his deputy Jani Šalamon. A longer performance of the Slovenian Armed Forces Band will be held in Leuven, at the Grand Place on Sunday, 18 June 2006.