The President of the Republic Danilo Türk confers the Order for exceptional services on Jože Humer and Stane Jurgec

In the 1980's, Jože Humer worked as a lawyer at the Ministry of Culture, where he was responsible for legal regulation and organization of culture in Slovenia.  He was among the first to separate the activities of societies from the ideology and to treat cultural societies as equal co-creators of the Slovene cultural identity.
Already as a student, he actively participated in the setting-up of cultural activities of Akademik Cultural Society. Humer, who was in particular active in the music field, was also the president of the Musical Youth of Ljubljana, took part in the renewal of the Glasbena matica Cultural Society, and was also the president of the Association of Cultural Organizations of Slovenia. Concurrently, he translated librettos and lyrics for song cycles. With his unique sense for melody and harmonizing lyrics with the melodic line, he ranked among the best authors. (Photo: Glasbena matica Archives)

Stane Jurgec has been known for his unique creativity and knowledge of the audience’s taste.  As director of the SNG Maribor Opera and Ballet, he introduced many novelties and new musical renditions in the program. During 21 years under his artistic direction, the Maribor Opera hosted 18 world premieres of operas and similar events and ballets by foreign and Slovene composers. In just eight years under his artistic direction more than 100 music and theatre premieres took place.
Jurgec also conducted many Slovenian musical ensembles and orchestras from domestic and foreign theatres. Furthermore, he founded an international competition of young opera singers, whilst his extensive musical knowledge has been valued by many reputed juries and institutions at home and abroad. (Photo: SNG Maribor Archives)