The ''Academia Operosorum Labacensium'' (Academy of the Industrious Residents of Ljubljana) is a forerunner of the modern

Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts The Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts ( (SAZU)) is the national academy of Slovenia, which encompasses science and the arts and brings together the top Slovene researchers and artists as members of the academy. Cultural significance Establis ...

. It was founded in

Ljubljana {{Infobox settlement , name = Ljubljana , official_name = , settlement_type = Capital city , image_skyline = {{multiple image , border = infobox , perrow = 1/2/2/1 , total_widt ...

in 1693 as an association of 23 scholars. Most of the members, which included 13

lawyer A lawyer is a person who is qualified to offer advice about the law, draft legal documents, or represent individuals in legal matters. The exact nature of a lawyer's work varies depending on the legal jurisdiction and the legal system, as w ...

s, six

theologian Theology is the study of religious belief from a religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of ...

s, and four medical doctors, were ethnically Slovene. The newly founded library became an important centre of activity for its members. The ''Operosi'' were very influential in the development of the arts in Ljubljana and throughout the Slovene cultural area. The members of the academy adopted the Latin name ''apes'' (bees) and the academic tag ''Nobis atque aliis – operosi''. Every year they held an annual meeting, as well as four other academic meetings, where they discussed their research. Its purpose from the beginning was to promote scholarship in

law Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a science and as the ar ...

medicine Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...

philosophy Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...

, and

theology Theology is the study of religious belief from a Religion, religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an Discipline (academia), academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itse ...

. In 1701, the academy merged with the ''Academia incoltorum'' (Academy of Fine Arts) and ''Academia philharmonicorum'' (Academy of Music). At the time of its greatest activity, around 1714, it was an international association of 42 members from

Carniola Carniola ( ; ; ; ) is a historical region that comprised parts of present-day Slovenia. Although as a whole it does not exist anymore, Slovenes living within the former borders of the region still tend to identify with its traditional parts Upp ...

and the counties of central

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assembled under the patronage of Bishop Franz Karl von Kaunitz. It fell into decline in the summer of 1725, but was revived in 1781, thanks to the efforts of Slovene Enlightenment figures. It was only active for another 20 years or so and thereafter declined again because the members' outlooks and expectations were too much at variance.

Presidents

* Janez Krstnik Prešeren (1656–1704), the first president of the academy. * Marko Gerbec, president from 1712 to 1713.

References

{{authority control History of Ljubljana Learned societies of Slovenia History of science and technology in Slovenia Culture of Carniola 1693 establishments in the Holy Roman Empire 1752 disestablishments Academies of sciences Scientific organizations established in 1693