MAISTER IN TOWN

Avla Hall

Slovenia proclaimed the year 2024 as Maister's year. University of Maribor Library is joining the commemoration of events from the year 1918 by exhibiting the items from its special collections.

Rudolf Maister – General, poet, and bibliophilist

1874—1934

Maribor and Southern Styria after Maister’s Efforts Within Slovenia Borders

General Rudolf Maister became one of the co-creators of Slovenian history at the end of the First World War, when he – out of his own initiative – proclaimed Maribor as Yugoslavian property on the 1^st of November 1918 in the middle of a chaotic political situation. Additionally, he took military command of Maribor and with it the whole Southern Styria. He was promoted to general by the National council the same day. He managed to replenish the small unit of Slovenian soldiers who had supported him from the very beginning and formed the foundation of the Slovenian army. In only a few weeks, Maister gathered an army of approximately 4000 soldiers and 200 officers. On the 23^rd of November 1918, he disarmed the German security guard and strengthened his military position in the city as well as claiming South Styria as a part of The State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs and consequently a part of Slovenia as we know it today. In memory of these brave efforts, Slovenians celebrate the 23^rd of November as the Day of Rudolf Maister, which is also a national holiday.

Written by: Gabrijela Kolbič, Vlasta Stavbar, PhD

Posters designed by: Toni Krepek

On display till 6th of January.