[1] It is marking the anniversary of the death of the Slovene national poet France Prešeren on 8 February 1849 and is the celebration of the Slovenian culture.

[citation needed] It was established in 1945 to raise the cultural consciousness and the self-confidence of the Slovene nation,[2] and declared a work-free day in 1991.

[citation needed] During the holiday all state and municipal museums and galleries offer free entry, and various other cultural events are held.

[citation needed] The anniversary of Prešeren's death first became a prominent date during World War II in 1941, when 7 February was celebrated as the day of all-Slavic unity.

[6] It was officially proclaimed a cultural holiday with a decree passed by the Presidency of the Slovene National Liberation Council on 28 January 1945[2] and published in the newspaper Slovenski poročevalec on 1 February 1945.