Under the Free Sun

Damijan Stepančič is the author of the illustrations for the comic book Pod svobodnim soncem based on Fran Saleški Finžgar's historical novel Under the Free Sun. In perceptively adapting this patriotic novel, Goran Vojnović has accomplished his aim of dynamic dramaturgy, while the accompanying text was written by Prof. Dr. Janez Bogataj, F.S. Finžgar’s great-nephew. 

Illustrator Damijan Stepančič tackled the comic book ambitiously, capturing the narrative’s climactic scenes, underscoring their monumentality with his proficient artistic style, while sensitively focusing on the artistic elements that build the characters. The challenging feat resulted in a comprehensive, fascinating and inspiring 150-page graphic novel. It tells the story of our ancient grandfathers, the settlement of the Slavs in the Balkan Peninsula when they still lived freely, unsubjugated, under the free sun.

While placing innovative spotlight on (in particular) Stepančič's illustrations, the exhibition also delves into the novel's creation and traces its history with an emphasis on previous illustrations. There will be four guided tours with commentary (two with Damijan Stepančič, one with Goran Vojnović and one with Dr. Janez Bogataj).