Art and culture have always held a special place in the history of the Slovenian nation. Until Slovenia's independence in 1991, Slovenes have, similarly as the majority of small central European nations, often compensated for the absence of their own state and political institutions with an essential interweaving of art and culture. Slovenes possess an extremely intense attitude toward their cultural history and development - and its survival. With a population of two million people, this strong selfpreservation instinct among Slovenes has largely been directed towards the defence of their culture. Slovenes have invested a great deal in their culture - not necessarily in material terms, but more so with their vibrant energy, hopeful aspirations and justifiable pride. These painstaking efforts have developed into a richly diverse network of cultural organisations, institutions, cultural societies and associations that can be readily compared to those of western European countries. The decentralised network of libraries, professional and amateur theatres, museums and galleries is distributed throughout the country - in large cities as well as in countryside - ensuring that it is enjoyed and influenced by all Slovenes.