A modest man of great deeds: Janez Hausenbichler

Abstract

The aim of the article is to shed light on the life and work of Janez Hausenbichler, the “father of hop-growing in the Savinja Valley” (1838–1896). After completing his education, Hausenbichler returned to Žalec, where he first dedicated himself to mead-making. Soon afterwards, he opened a tavern with his wife, which became the gathering place of Slovenian patriots. Hausenbichler co-organised the second Slovenian mass meeting in Žalec, promoted hop-growing as well as founded a reading club, fire defence, the Savinja Savings Bank, and many other clubs and societies. He endeavoured for the construction of the Savinja railway line, and was a long-standing mayor of what was then the market town of Žalec. His national awareness is also attested by the fact that he started his office as mayor by introducing Slovenian as the official language in Žalec.