On the 14th of May 2025, Professor Emeritus Dr Janez Juhant, President of the Association United at the Linden Tree of Reconciliation (Združeni ob Lipi sprave), addressed an open letter to the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, in which he expresses his concern about her failure to respond to invitations to participate in ceremonies related to the commemoration of Križevci and reconciliation.
The letter, which Dr Juhant signed as the representative of the Association, stresses the importance of these events for the entire Slovenian nation and criticises the President’s lack of response, describing it as inconsistent with her role as President of all Slovenians. We also addressed our questions related to this topic directly to the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar.
In his letter, Juhant invites the President to attend the ceremonies on the 15th and 16th of June, where the Association United at the Linden Tree of Reconciliation will commemorate the memory of Križevci and the second anniversary of the Association. Despite the invitation, he pointed out that the President had so far not responded to any of the invitations, which was contrary to her mission to represent and unite the entire Slovenian nation.
“Your predecessor, Borut Pahor, always responded to our invitations and even repeatedly stressed how important it is to take all steps necessary to achieve reconciliation among our people and, therefore, to take the necessary measures to rehabilitate the victims of the war and the revolution. Your reply, however, was negative. You have told us that you are unable to attend the ceremony because of other commitments. You also did not respond to the suggestion to hold the commemoration ceremony on another date that would be acceptable to you,” he stressed in his letter.
Given the nature of these ceremonies, which basically concern the entire Slovenian nation, this is, in fact, contrary to what she represents, as the President should actively participate in events that strengthen national consciousness.
The President’s unresponsiveness has been described in the letter as a disappointment shared by the members of the Association and the general public. Dr Juhant invites the President to participate in an international conference on the occasion of the forthcoming anniversary, which will also address the role of reconciliation in modern society, and urges her to adhere to international standards and efforts to rehabilitate those affected. “Together, we presented the problems of human rights at the UN through our Association United at the Linden Tree of Reconciliation, the New Slovenian Alliance – Nova Slovenska Zaveza (President Dr Matija Ogrin, Secretary Peter Sušnik on behalf of the Association) and the Justice and Peace Commission of the Slovenian Bishops’ Conference (President Bishop Dr Andrej Saje, and Tilen Vesenjak on behalf of the Commission),” Juhant stated, underlining the broader context and the importance of participation in these events.
Nevertheless, the President’s silence so far raises questions about her approach to symbols of national unity.
“We would like to remind you that you came to this position also after the gains made possible by the independent Slovenian state, where you succeeded as a lawyer in the business of transition and built up a name and a fortune that gives you the social status you now have. Many citizens, especially workers and others, including handball players in Kamnik, have not had this opportunity for a number of reasons,” Juhant stresses in his letter.
Juhant concludes his writing by expressing his desire for dialogue and cooperation, but also points out that the Association will continue its mission regardless of the President’s response. Nataša Pirc Musar’s unresponsiveness to invitations to ceremonies that are crucial for national reconciliation thus remains a central point of criticism and a call to rethink the role of the President as a representative of all Slovenians.
“You are now the President of all of us, and as you so beautifully said about the late Pope Francis that you admired his heart, I ask you to express it too, in an open dialogue and in advocacy for all those who have been left behind, including those who have been excluded because of the injustices of the Revolution. I trust that you will also consider how to recognise and reward all the efforts of those who are also working for the marginalised in our society,” he concluded.
T. B.
