The Unknown Kingdom
“Illyria or what you will”
In 1897, a cycling club in Ljubljana was named after Ilirija (Illyria), in 1904 a street, in 1911 a football club, somewhere in the years before WWI, a chemical products factory, and finally in 1929, Ilirija got its own monument.
Today we do many things “in Ilirija”: we can swim, play football or ski jump. We can meet at the Illyrian Monument, walk down Ilirija Street, and buy shampoo or shoe cream produced by the Ilirija chemical factory. But where did the popularity of using the ancient name come from?
The exhibition presenting the Austrian administrative project Kingdom of Illyria, founded in 1816, therefore delves into the story behind a name, a time and an idea, a concept and the imagining of new identities, which, during the search for historical continuity and belonging, disappeared again and again into the mists of a glorious past.
Colophon
Uknown Kingdom, Illyria or What you Will
6. 6. 2024–27. 9. 2024
City Museum of Ljubljana, Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana
Represented by: Blaž Peršin, director
Author of the exhibition and Texts: MSc. Janez Polajnar
Exhibition and graphic design: Primož Pislak
Conservation and restoration of materials: Katarina Toman Kracina, Liza Lampič, Bojana Zavodnik
Promotion: Urša Karer, Ana Kure
Technical preparation: Danilo Ončevski, Tomaž Žnidaršič, Nejc Vovk, Zvone Sečnik
Documentation: Karmen Brecelj
Language editing (SLO): Jernej Županič
Translation (ENG): Tom Smith
Objects and materials in the exhibition were lent by: Slovanska Library, Miran Jarc Library Novo Mesto
Location
Gosposka 15
1000 Ljubljana
Information and reservations:
T: +386 1 2412 500
T: +386 1 2412 506
E- mail: info@mgml.si, prijava@mgml.si
Opening hours
Tuesday–Sunday: 10.00–18.00
Mondays, 1 January, 1 November and 25 December: Closed
