"When I looked at the newspapers yesterday, reading through all I'd said, I realised there were so many deep thoughts there that I have none left. Don't expect too much. First of all, I'd like to congratulate all awardees, especially you, Mr Petrić. I should also thank those who nominated me, some even twice. Among these is my friend who wrote: 'If Dario Fo got the Nobel prize, then Partljič can also get the Prešeren award'," said writer and comedist Tone Partljič, one of two winners of this year's Grand Prešeren Award, alongside composer and artistic leader Ivo Petrić.

Partljič also mocked the current affair with standby bonuses in the academia. "I have to say that writers also need to be on standby nonstop. Inspiration may strike at any time, and the writer could miss it. What would have happened if Prešeren hadn't paid attention at the church in Trnovo? He would never have set his eyes on Julija, and then there would have been no 'Wreath of Sonnets' nor 'Love Sonnets'."

Partljič said he was very glad to receive "the award for all those comedists who had been forgotten all too soon, and for all those colleagues around me who write. But I'm the first and it seems I've got us into the prime literary league."

The recipients of the "smaller-scale" awards, known as the Prešeren Fund Awards, are composer and choir conductor Ambrož Čopi, film director Janusz Kica, painter Aleksij Kobal, poet Cvetka Lipuš, sculptor Mojca Smerdu and Katarina Stegnar, an actress, dancer and performer.

M. K, K. T., MMC; translated by K. Z.