History of The SWA
At the initiative of Davorin Trstenjak, 52 writers, led by Josip Vošnjak, founded the Slovene Writers’ Association in Ljubljana on April 21, 1872. Davorin Trstenjak was elected president. However, the Association soon became inactive, and only on June 25, 1885, was the Writers’ Support Association officially established under the presidency of Josip Vošnjak. This association erected monuments and memorial plaques and sought to provide financial assistance to its members.
In 1915, the Austrian authorities dissolved the association.
In 1920, the Society of Slovene Men of Letters (soon renamed the Society of Writers) was established, and in 1968 it was officially renamed the Slovene Writers’ Association.
From 1945 onward, the Slovene Writers’ Association operated within the framework of the Association of Writers of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Alliance of the Working People.
In 1989, relations with the Association of Writers of Yugoslavia were effectively severed, and in February 1990 the General Assembly formally adopted the act of withdrawal.
Presidents of the Slovene Writers’ Association
- Davorin Trstenjak
- Rajko Perušek
- Anton Funtek
- Alojz Gradnik
- Oton Župančič
- France Koblar
- Miško Kranjec (two terms)
- France Bevk (two terms)
- Ivan Potrč (two terms)
- Mile Klopčič
- Beno Zupančič
- Matej Bor
- Anton Ingolič
- Mira Mihelič
- Janez Menart
- Ciril Kosmač
- Tone Pavček
- Tone Partljič
- Rudi Šeligo
- Dane Zajc
- Evald Flisar (three terms)
- Tone Peršak
- Vlado Žabot (two terms)
- Slavko Pregl
- Milan Jesih
- Veno Taufer
- Ivo Svetina
- Aksinja Kermauner
- Dušan Merc
Marij Čuk (current president)