letopis sazu 2010

SLOVENIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND ARTS IN THE YEAR 2010
Presidential Address at the Assembly of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences
and Arts, 22 February 2011
Distinguished Colleagues, Honorary Member Professor France Bernik, Ladies
and Gentlemen,
Welcome to the regular February Assembly of the Academy. This year marks
the 20 th anniversary of Slovenian independence and the 73 rd year of the Academy.
It is the 318 th Anniversary of our predecessor, the Academia Operosorum. I make
mention of our predecessor for two reasons, which I will explain below.
On this occasion, duty calls for a review of the previous year. This was relatively
kind to the Academy. However, I would first like to remember our colleagues
and friends, academicians who passed away during this year: Boris Mayer
in April, Alojz Šercelj in May, Franc Gubenšek and Stanko Grafenauer in August,
corresponding member Evgen Pusić in September, and corresponding member
Aleksander Flaker in October.
Sit illis terra levis, may they rest in peace.
The 2011 Elections
The period from the previous assembly to this date has been marked by preparations
for this year’s SASA election. The Academy Sections received both good
and bad news. Health and medicine served the great majority of members well,
and most of us can still follow old Horace’s recommendation that we should look
forward to every new day. This happy circumstance overshadows the other, that
we have hardly any vacancies. Today, the Academy numbers 83 full and 16 associate
members, i.e. a total of 99. There are 78 corresponding members. As you know,
we decided to admit three new associate members, to promote three associate
members to full membership and admit five new corresponding members. However,
desires and needs are much greater. Some sections have aged considerably
and some have suffered heavy losses in recent years. There are no new vacancies
in some sections. Unfortunately, there were no nominations of women or any Slovenian
scientist or artist from abroad. It may be noted, however, that despite the
dark side of this year’s election, the negotiations were exemplary and gentlemanly.
For this, I am sincerely grateful to my colleagues.
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