The little kiosk by the bridge, on the right (south) Drava river bank, would most probably remain just one of the many newsagents' shops, forgotten in time, if Drago Jančar, the famous novelist, had not written a literary hommage to it in his Northern Light. The novel depicts changes around the square, which is today known as the Revolution Square (Trg revolucije), through the eyes of a local tobacconist.
In almost 100 years since it was built, the kiosk has witnessed many stories, and perhaps the most beautiful of them is the story of a young tobacconist. In the 1930s, the kiosk was managed by Leopoldina Jeglič and her niece, Antonija Rybachek, worked for her. Soon Ernest Papež started visiting the kiosk regularly to buy a stamp or sometimes even two. If possible, one in the morning, and another one in the afternoon. Obviously, he wasn't interested in stamps, but wanted to see the young Antonija. They fell in love, and in 1938 their son Peter was born, followed by daughter Helga six years later.
In spring of 1945, when the war was over, Ernest had to report at the seat of KNOJ (The People's Defence Corps of Yugoslavia) in Limbuš, and that was the last time he was seen. His widow Antonija, left alone with two small children, continued to work in the kiosk. In time, Alojz Menih started visiting her. Every day he bought a cigarette or two from her, if possible one in the morning and another one in the afternoon. Love was born again. Eventually, Alojz became Antonija's husband and a step-father to Peter and Helga.
Trg revolucije Square (Trafika - Museum for one)
2000 Maribor
