Installation of the leader — Ustoličenje

Well, i've mentioned the Slovene historical moment (social contract of governance) before [click]. To-day, it was re-enacted in Geneva (Ashtabula O.) at Slovenska Pristava. The last time it happened in reality was in 1414. Eventually Jefferson read about it, and his Declaration found its theme. It began after Rome of the West fell, and the Slovenes formed their state in the eastern Alps. Over the centuries the ceremony changed. In the high middle ages (the ceremony re-enacted to-day), he who would be knez (Duke of Carinthia), had to meet the peasantry at a Roman marble capital and was GIVEN rulership by the People.

In the time of the migration of peoples following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the knez was a fellow Slovene (the installation was at least from the 6th century), but over the centuries various German states took the territory of Karantanija (the Slovene state). The Germans did this as only ritual. Eventually, the Habsburgs refused. In the original ceremony, the leader of the people promised to govern well, and he faced death if he did not. Of course, the conquering Germans were not reciting that oath; but yet for centuries the ceremony took place, and the germ of the idea remained intact. People give the office of leader to an individual who promises to lead justly, and he leads only if he acts in accordance with, and benefit for the people. This is the social contract. There is no unitiary executive of Dick Cheney, or the divine right of kings. When the Slovenes entered history, they entered as radical democrats.

This is not a garbage can. It is a papier-mâché marble column capital, the debris of Rome. It was used as the seat of power. The original stone is in a museum in Klagenfurt Austria.

 Here the re-enactors are the people/the peasantry awaiting the future knez (duke).

 Here in peasant dress comes the man to be installed in office, and he comes with his retinue.

 In this foto, the prospective knez is to be gently slapped by a peasant.

 Here a man holds the mediæval flag of the Slovenes and Karantanija (Carinthia), the black panther.

The knez holds up a sword which he is to rule (and in the earliest ceremonies, the sword which could take his head).