Cankarjev dom (Cankar Cultural Centre), Ljubljana

Ivan Cankar (1876–1918), a heavyweight in Slovenian literature, holds a special place as a symbol of the country's modern era. Despite dabbling in other languages, he boldly stood against the Habsburg monarchy, even facing accusations of treason for championing the unity of South Slavic peoples.

In homage to his legacy, the Cultural and Congress Centre was erected in 1982–83, a brainchild of architect Edvard Ravnikar. It's a behemoth in Slovenia, serving as a hub for culture and intellectual discourse. Right out front stands a striking avant-garde monument of Cankar himself, crafted in 1982 by sculptor Slavko Tihec. Made up of 30 slats of varying thickness, it forms a portrait of Cankar, complete with his signature and the poignant quote, "My work is a premonition of dawn".

Step inside the centre, and you'll find yourself in halls named after Slovenian artists: Gallus Hall (honoring composer Jacobus Gallus), Linhart Hall (paying tribute to playwright Anton Tomaž Linhart), Kosovel Hall (celebrating poet Srečko Kosovel), and Štih Hall (in honor of literary critic Bojan Štih). The place buzzes with activity, hosting a range of events in its spacious foyer, from artistic performances to book fairs and beyond.