On February 1st 1945 was for a holiday declared February the 8th, Slovenian cultural holiday, by the bureau of Slovenian National liberation council. February 8th is a holiday in the memory of doctor France Prešeren, who died on this day in year 1849. The holiday is also named Prešeren day. Also new Slovenian state after its independence, kept the holiday and in year 1991 declared it as a work free day.

On that day, at the central celebration of Prešeren holiday, they grant the highest recognitions for achievements on the field of artistic creations, named Prešeren reward. Decision of the grant of this reward was accepted by the Ljubljana council in year 1938. First rewards were given out already next year, the recipients were Alojz Gradnik (collection of poems Eternal fountain, si. Večni studenec), Miško Kranjec (novel Captains, si. Kapitanovi) and Stanko Canjkar (drama Sunken world, si. Potopljeni svet).

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