One of the biggest names of Slovenian theatre and film, Cavazza was closely associated with theatre in Primorsko region, head of the Koper theatre Katja Pegan told the STA.

The actor worked there with intermissions from his student years until retirement.

Cavazza, who was born in Milan in 1939 and moved to Slovenia in 1948, studied at the Ljubljana Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television (AGRFT) between 1964 and 1968.

Immediately after graduation, he worked at the Trieste theatre before moving to Ljubljana, where he worked at the SNG Drama and the Mladinsko theatre.

Despite his move, he frequently returned to Primorsko. "He directed productions for the Primorsko summer festival 25 years ago. Then in 2000, when the professional Koper theatre was established, he got a job as an actor, and remained there until his retirement," explained Pegan.

Cavazza also received the highest accolade in Slovenian culture, the Prešeren Prize, in 1987, and the Borštnik Ring, the top award for lifetime achievement in acting, in 1992.

He will get the Tantadruj award at the Koper theatre next Tuesday.

The three theatres have been giving out the awards since 2011 to promote the idea of a common theatre space in Slovenia and Italy.