The monument to an important linguist, Father Stanislav Škrabec (1844-1918) on the avenue of the great on Erjavčeva ulica in Nova Gorica was unveiled on 8 January 2011 at the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Franciscans in the monastery in Kostanjevica near Nova Gorica. The work of sculptor Mirko Bratuša (born in 1963) was unveiled by academic Dr. Jože Toporišič, a connoisseur and an evaluator of Škrabec’s linguistic oeuvre, father Niko Žvokelj blessed the statue, while Škrabec’s great great-nephew Janez Škrabec took on a patron’s role during the erection of the statue.
The bronze bust of Father Stanislav Škrabec, the work of academic sculptor Mirko Bratuša, is designed in a slightly stylized manner with an interesting addition on the back side, where the bourbon roses are depicted. Next to the roses is the sculptor’s signature M. Bratuša and the date 6. 1. 2011. The bust is placed on a concrete base. The inscription P. Stanislav Škrabec 1844‒1918, slovenist [Father Stanislav Škrabec 1844‒1918, expert on Slovenian language], can be found on the front side of the bust, while on the back side it is written Frančiškanski samostan Kostanjevica, Janez Škrabec, KS Nova Gorica, 2010/11 [Franciscan Monastery Kostanjevica, Janez Škrabec, KS Nova Gorica, 2010/11]. On a round base made of concrete is the inscription Naš slovenski jezik je najdražji zaklad, ki nam ga je bog dal [Our Slovenian language is the greatest treasure that God gave us].
Literature and Sources:
Pavla Jarc, Javni spomeniki in skulpture v mestu, “Na začetku je bila črta”. 70 let likovne ustvarjalnosti v Novi Gorici (ed. Katarina Brešan et.al.), Nova Gorica 2017, str. 123, 126.
Davorin Koron in Andraž Sardoč, Poklon velikemu jezikoslovcu, Primorske novice, 10. 1. 2011, str. 5.
Milan VOGEL, Spomenik slovenistu, ki je rad gojil Burbonke. Dvesto let frančiškanov na Kostanjevici, Delo, 11. 1 .2011, str. 15.
Sandra Janžekovič (8. 5. 2019)
Mirko Bratuša, Monument to Father Stanislav Škrabec, 2011, Nova Gorica
