Summer events in Slovenia
Slovenia is gearing up for another busy summer of arts events – from puppet shows to operatic performances, outdoor concerts and dance. The main cities of Ljubljana and Maribor will host a colourful variety of festivals, while Lake Bled and Predjama Castle in Postojna will also attract visitors with a weekend of light shows and a medieval festival respectively.
These are just some of the events scheduled to take place in Slovenia in the summer of 2009.
The international Puppet Festival, Maribor - 20th June – 5th September 2009
Maribor’s Puppet Theatre hosts a summer festival of puppets that has become renowned throughout Slovenia and beyond. The event, appealing particularly to children, features puppet shows in a variety of different languages and puppet styles; plus the chance for children to participate in puppet workshops.
For more information, visit slovenia.info.
Lent Festival, Maribor - 26th June – 11th July 2009
More than 400 musical performances and half a million visitors make the Lent Festival in Maribor, Slovenia’s second city, one of Europe’s biggest festivals. The event includes performances of classical, jazz, popular and ethno music staged across 30 venues including outdoor stages and notable buildings including a 400-year-old synagogue. Other events include singer & songwriter and chanson evenings, theatre and dance performances, concerts, plays and puppet shows, children's creative workshops and sporting events.
Maribor’s Lent Festival also encompasses the International Folkart Festival, the Jazzlent Festival and the Street Theatre Festival.
For more information, visit http://lent.slovenija.net/
Ana Desetnica 2009 - 2nd – 5th July 2009
The Ana Desetnica street theatre festival will run for the 12th consecutive year in the streets, squares and parks of Ljubljana city centre. Street artistes, clowns, circus performers, jugglers, tightrope walkers, fire eaters, musicians, provocateurs, dancers and actors from Slovenia and abroad will amongst the attractions at the outdoors venues, with all events completely free of charge.
For more information, visit ljubljana.si.
Ljubljana Summer Festival - 6th July – 27th August 2009
The Ljubljana Summer Festival was established over 50 years ago, with the main musical and artistic events taking place over eight weeks in the summer. Highlights of this year’s programme include the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia performing Tchaikovsky’s opera Onegin; Italy’s Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company performing Mythical, a ballet featuring music by Pink Floyd; a musical theatre performance of The Full Monty by The Zagreb Comedy Theatre (in Croatian with English and Slovenian subtitles); a home-grown production of Verdi’s La Traviata; and open air cinema running for three weeks at Ljubljana Castle.
For more information, ljubljanafestival.si/en/
Erasmus Knights’ Tournament, Predjama Castle - 19th July 2009
The Erasmus Knights’ Tournament is named after Erazem Jamski, a rebellious 15th century knight. This event sees re-enactors come from all over Europe to show off their fighting skills and introduce the medieval way of life at the historic Predjama castle. As drums beat and banners wave, visitors can try their hands at fencing and archery whilst a special children’s knight tournament also takes place for families.
For more information, visit turizem-kras.si
Bled Days and Bled Nights - 24th – 26th July 2009
One of Slovenia’s most famous tourist destinations, Lake Bled, plays host to a celebration of spectacular fireworks displays and light shows.
Grossmann Film and Wine Festival - 10th – 15th August 2009
The picturesque town of Ljutomer, in the heart of Slovenia’s Prlekija wine region, is the setting for this genre festival that specialises in screening horror and fantasy films. Wine tastings, exhibitions, guest speakers and musical performances are also on the agenda.
For more information, visit http://en.grossmann.si
54th Koroška Tourist Week - 15th – 23rd August 2009
The northern Slovenian town of Koroška is famous for its tourist week which has the aim of preserving ethnological heritage and demonstrating traditional events to visitors and locals.
For more information on these and other events in Slovenia, log on to slovenia.info.
