On March 19, 2026, an exhibition dedicated to the prominent composer and conductor Davorin Jenko was opened in the exhibition space of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Banja Luka.
The exhibition was organized by the Archives of the Republic of Srpska in cooperation with the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia, the State Archives of Serbia and the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Banja Luka. The exhibition presents the rich life and work of Jenko, the author of more than 200 songs, music for numerous plays, five overtures and two operas.
The opening was addressed by Bojan Stojnić, PhD, Director of the Archives of the Republic of Srpska, Zvone Žigon, PhD, Head of the Consular Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Professor Dragan Partalo, PhD, Head of the Institute and Professor Boško Branković, PhD, Lecturer in National History. The ceremony was also attended by representatives of the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia.
A special contribution to the ceremony was made by the Mixed Choir of the Association of Slovenians of the Republic of Srpska Davorin Jenko, conducted by Vesna Šišljagić. Their performance of Jenko's most famous compositions, Bože pravde and Lipa, was met with an exceptionally warm reception and enthusiasm from the numerous attendees, who rewarded the performers with a long applause.
Davorin Jenko was one of the most significant figures in the musical life of the 19th century. During almost five decades of creative work, he worked as a conductor, choir leader and music pedagogue, leaving a deep mark on the musical tradition of Serbia and Slovenia. Among his most significant works is the song Naprej, zastava slave, symbol of the Slovenian national movement, which is today the anthem of the Slovenian Army.
During his stay in Serbia, Jenko composed music for the drama Markova sablja by Jovan Đorđević in 1872, which also includes the song Bože pravde. The same piece quickly gained great popularity and became the Serbian national anthem. This composition was also the first anthem of the Republika Srpska until 2007.
The exhibition aims to bring the life and work of this great artist, whose works have permanently marked the cultural space of the region, closer to the general public. It remains open to the public until the end of April 2026.
Mladen Prodan
