On 16 October 2023, a bust of Stane Habe was unveiled in the courtyard of the Franc Bernik Cultural Centre / Domžale Music School. The bust was created by the academic sculptor Anže Jurkovšek.
Stane Habe
Stane Habe was one of the most prominent figures in the musical and cultural life of Domžale and an important personality in Slovenian music education and choral practice. For nearly half a century, through his pedagogical, organizational, and artistic work, he consistently helped shape the cultural spirit of Domžale and the wider Slovenian cultural space.
At the heart of his work was the belief that music is not a privilege of the few, but a fundamental value that enriches both the individual and the community. He passed on knowledge to young and older generations alike, inspired them to engage in organized singing, and educated them in the spirit of beauty, nobility, and respect for cultural values.
As a pedagogue and organizer, he played a key role in the development of music education. He was an initiator and co-author of the Music School Act, which placed music education on an equal footing with other forms of schooling. He also made an important contribution to securing ownership of the Franc Bernik Cultural Centre and for many years served as the head of the association of music school principals. He led the Domžale Music School from 1959 to 1983, dedicating to it an exceptional level of personal commitment.
Over the course of his life, he conducted as many as 42 choirs, a testament to his remarkable choral scope and work ethic. He himself wrote that music schools nurture generations of future music lovers who will feel the need for more noble, not merely material, values—a thought that fundamentally shaped his life’s work.
For his achievements, he received numerous awards and distinctions, including the Golden Leaf of the Association of Cultural Organizations, the Order of Labour with Golden Wreath, and the Žagar Award for outstanding achievements in the advancement of education, particularly in the field of music education. In 1994, he was named an Honorary Citizen of the Municipality of Domžale.
