Discover BIEN 2025: Kranj’s Vision of Textile Art Across Slovenian Cities
From 31 May to 14 August 2025, the Gorenjska and Goriška regions will host BIEN – the Biennial of Textile Art, a growing cultural initiative that merges contemporary textile creativity with community engagement and heritage revival. Originally launched in 2020 by Zavod Carnica in Kranj, BIEN has since evolved into an international festival that brings textile art out of galleries and into public life.
The festival transforms over 25 venues, from galleries and libraries to parks, abandoned buildings and heritage sites such as Idrija’s mercury smelting plant, Jesenice’s marketplace, and the Lantieri Palace in Gorizia. These spaces host exhibitions, installations and performances, making textile art a spatial, often site-specific experience.
The 2025 Theme: Air
Under the guiding theme “Air,” artists will reflect on the interplay between material and environment, bringing textile installations into open urban spaces. One such highlight is a site-specific installation by the Dutch collective IPIHAN at the historic Jožef Shaft in Idrija.
Part of a Bigger Celebration: Prešeren’s Summer and FEST MEST
BIEN is also part of the wider Prešeren’s Summer festival, which animates the streets and cultural venues of Kranj with more than 200 events each year. This lively and diverse programme includes concerts, performances, and exhibitions, creating a vibrant cultural atmosphere. BIEN further contributes to the spirit of FEST MEST – a collaborative celebration of urban culture across multiple towns and cities.
Creative Energy, Heritage and Sustainability
More than 80 international and Slovenian artists and collectives, along with 200 students, will take part in this year’s programme, which also includes workshops, lectures, artistic residencies and participatory events. The festival emphasizes creative expression, community building, and environmental awareness, reviving traditional textile heritage through contemporary and sustainable methods.
From interactive workshops like hand-printing cotton scarves to interdisciplinary projects combining art, health and activism, BIEN invites locals and visitors to rethink the social and ecological roles of textile arts today.
Slow Art and Cultural Tourism
In contrast to fast fashion, BIEN champions “slow art” and thoughtful creativity. It encourages reflection, sustainability, and dialogue – values increasingly central to both artistic practice and responsible tourism. By attracting visitors to multiple cities, the festival supports local economies and shines a light on Slovenia’s cultural landscape beyond the usual destinations.
Upcoming Highlights
1 July: Curated tour of exhibitions in Kranj
7 July – 10 August: IPIHAN & Maruša Štibilj artist residency in Idrija
9 July: Textile printing workshop with Vita Ivičič in Jesenice
28 August: Opening of AlpTextyles: Textile Heritage for the Future in Škofja Loka
This article is part of an exciting partnership with with the Association of Historical Towns of Slovenia, of which Kranj and Brežice are also a member. The partnership aims to bring you captivating stories from the historical towns nestled across Slovenia. As a regular feature of News from Slovenia, delivered to our valued subscribers, readers can expect to discover exciting stories from these timeless cities in the coming months. The contents and photos for this article were provided by the Association of Historical Towns of Slovenia and Brežice and Kranj Tourism Boards.
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