Slovenian writer and publisher Slavko Pregl dies at 81

Slavko Pregl, a significant voice in Slovenian youth literature and a key figure in the country's cultural and publishing landscape, has passed away at the age of 81. Pregl was a prolific writer, having published more than fifty books for children and adolescents. His works, including "Odprava zelenega zmaja" and "Geniji v kratkih hlačah," gained such popularity that two of them were adapted into television series.

Throughout his career, Pregl received numerous accolades, such as the Levstik Award, the Večernica, the Desetnica, and the Župančič Award. He was also honored with the Schwentner Award in 2007 and, a decade later, received the Order of Merit for his cultural contributions from the President of Slovenia. His writing was characterized by a distinct humor often intertwined with social commentary.

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The boys got up and tried to walk as uprightly as possible, as all men do when everything is going well for them.

Beyond his literary achievements, Pregl played a crucial role in shaping Slovenia's cultural policy. He held leadership positions in various organizations, including the Association of Slovenian Writers, the Reading Badge Association, and the Association of Slovenian Publishers. He also chaired the National Council for Culture and, in 2009, became the inaugural director of the Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Books. In this role, he was instrumental in establishing a support system for the book industry, connecting authors with readers.

Pregl also had a substantial career in publishing. He served as editor-in-chief at Mladina before joining Mladinska knjiga, where he focused on international cooperation and co-productions. In 1991, he founded his own private publishing house, EWO. His experiences in the publishing world were later documented in several of his books. The Slovenian PEN center remembered his legacy as "literary, activist, and organizational," with PEN president Tanja Tuma stating that his spirit would continue to resonate within Slovenian youth literature and publishing.

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Slavko's heart no longer beats, but his spirit will long tremble in Slovenian youth literature and publishing.