Opening of the exhibition “NATO 75 YEARS/SLOVENIA AND NATO 20 YEARS” and a round table discussion commemoratees the double jubilee of the NATO alliance

At the Park of Military History Pivka, an exhibition titled “NATO 75 YEARS/SLOVENIA AND NATO 20 YEARS” and a round table discussion were organized to commemorate the double jubilee of the NATO alliance.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the NATO alliance, and Slovenia also celebrates the 20th anniversary of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 2004, the Republic of Slovenia, alongside Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovakia, became a full member of NATO following a decisive referendum supported by its citizens. This membership brought a stable security and political environment to Slovenia and expanded the operational dimension of the Slovenian Armed Forces.

In collaboration with the Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia and the Ministry of Defense, and with the support of the United States Embassy in Slovenia, the Park of Military History prepared an exhibition to inform visitors about NATO’s operations, its role, and the significant advantages that NATO membership provides to Slovenia. The Park joined a series of events and commemorations at the highest state level in light of Slovenia’s approaching twentieth anniversary of formal entry into NATO.

The new photographic exhibition consists of two main sections. The first, titled “NATO 75 YEARS,” presents the history of the alliance, its development, and military power. The second part, titled “SLOVENIA AND NATO 20 YEARS,” depicts Slovenia’s path towards NATO and the importance of the NATO alliance for Slovenia. The director of the Park of Military History, mag. Janko Boštjančič, curated the exhibition. The content panels were designed by Barbara Sirk and Žiga Okorn from Uvid.si, and the comprehensive museum setup for placement in external cubes at the entrance to the Park was designed by Irena Kogoj from the Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia.

The exhibition “NATO 75 YEARS/SLOVENIA AND NATO 20 YEARS” was inaugurated on March 27 at a brief ceremony by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Defense, Dr. Damir Črnčec. He emphasized the significance of opening an exhibition about NATO and Slovenia’s role within it, particularly within a museum collection showcasing the war of ’91. The location and content of the exhibition bear importance as they reflect Slovenia’s historical experience and the significance of the North Atlantic defense alliance from the decades following World War II to the present day. Petra Bezjak Cirman, the director of the Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia, also addressed the audience, commending the Park of Military History for organizing an exhibition that informs the public about NATO’s operations while encouraging reflection on contemporary challenges and the alliance’s future development, where prioritizing efforts for peace remains essential. Director mag. Janko Boštjančič highlighted the broader perspective of the exhibition, stating that NATO represents the most potent military alliance in human history, providing security to a significant portion of Europe and shaping global events.

The exhibition opening was followed by a round table discussion titled “NATO 75 Years – Role and Significance in the Past/Present/Future” where invited speakers shared their thoughts on the benefits of NATO membership and the challenges faced by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization despite its decades-long existence. Dr. Damir Črnčec, the State Secretary at the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Slovenia; Tiffany Sadler, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Slovenia; Dr. Andrij Taran, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Slovenia; and Dr. John Marshall Callahan, a professor of international relations at New England College in the USA, presented their views on the current state and vision for the future development of the NATO alliance.

In addition to the participating guests, several ambassadors and other high-ranking diplomatic and military representatives from NATO member states attended the event, along with numerous domestic representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Slovenian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government Communication Office of the Republic of Slovenia, and the Municipality of Pivka.