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SLOVENIA'S CULTURAL TRANSVERSAL

Maribor – Ljubljana – Nova Gorica. Culture, art and spaces in three Slovenian cities.

Three Slovenian cities brimming with endless inspiration

Slovenian cities have a unique charm. Though small by global standards, they are cosmopolitan and feature distinct characteristics that deserve attention. Within the network of Slovenian cities and towns, three cities stand out, each bearing the title of capital in its own way – together, they form a special cultural route.

Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, offers a rich cultural tapestry and is centrally located, making it the optimal starting point for exploring Slovenia's cultural highlights. To the east, Maribor is an important cultural hub. To the west, Nova Gorica, sharing the title of European Capital of Culture 2025 with Gorizia in Italy, embodies the borderless spirit of Europe.  The cultural route begins in the north-east and traverses Slovenia from east to west.

🍇MARIBOR – ALL THE CITY'S A STAGE

Maribor, a picturesque city nestled at the foot of Pohorje and the Drava River, was crowned European Capital of Culture as early as 2012. It has recently been ranked among the top three European destinations, renowned for its vibrant cultural scene and culinary delights. Did you know that the city is home to the oldest grapevine in the world? But these are just some of the many reasons to visit this city. The newly renovated Lent riverfront, where the world's oldest grapevine grows, is a great place to enjoy a morning coffee and glass of fine wine in the evening, or head to one of its many galleries, museums, or puppet shows. As night falls, the area transforms into a hub for cultural activities with ballet and theatre performances, and festival concerts. The Minoriti Cultural Quarter, City Park, Art Gallery, and the theatre are just a few of the venues where these events take place. As the locals say, all the city's a stage.

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Houses with stories of art and urban development

In Maribor, you will find a unique blend of post-industrial heritage and contemporary art, with museums, galleries, theatres and venues galore. Exploring it all in just one weekend can be a challenge, but here are a few must-visit locations that are well worth your time:

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Slovenian National Theatre Maribor

Slovenian National Theatre Maribor

The theatre has a remarkable tradition spanning more than a century and has truly made its mark in recent years. It offers an exceptional programme of theatre, opera, and ballet performances that attract guests from abroad.

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Narodni Dom Maribor Cultural and Event Centre

Narodni Dom Maribor Cultural and Event Centre

Did you know that Narodni Dom Maribor, a cultural and event centre, is the second-largest event centre in Slovenia, following Ljubljana's Cankarjev Dom? The venue hosts a diverse range of events, including concerts and festivals such as the Lent Festival,...

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Museum of Nation Liberation Maribor

Museum of Nation Liberation Maribor

"We are the museum. It houses our stories and stories of our parents, grandparents, etc. These are the stories of our city."

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Maribor Regional Museum

Maribor Regional Museum

The Maribor Regional Museum is home to the archaeological and cultural heritage of Maribor and the surrounding area. The city's stories beckon you to listen!

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Maribor Art Gallery

Maribor Art Gallery

The Maribor Art Gallery is one of the world's leading museums of modern and contemporary art, with a collection of more than 7,000 works of art by Slovenian artists from the late 19th century to the present day. The gallery is always buzzing with activity.

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Maribor Puppet Theatre

Maribor Puppet Theatre

For both the young and the young at heart, fairy tales come to life on stage at this charming theatre, offering an experience that can be complemented with a visit to the Puppet Museum.

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Festivals and events that bring streets and squares to life

From the operatic arias that echo through the city park's canopy to the ballet dancers performing under the stars, and the vibrant rhythms of world music resonating in Lent, alongside celebrations of the oldest vine – Maribor offers a diverse array of extraordinary events throughout the year.

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Opera Night in the City Park

Opera Night in the City Park

It's a truly special experience when hundreds of townspeople and other visitors gather in the park on a summer evening to listen to an orchestra and opera singers.

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Festival Maribor

Festival Maribor

It is a festival platform that blurs the formal boundaries of musical genres and breaks down prejudices about classical music. Every autumn, Maribor is enveloped in a symphony of diverse sounds.

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Summer Puppet Pier

Summer Puppet Pier

This annual summer event brings the best national and international puppet shows for children and adults to the city, along with workshops, exhibitions, and a variety of other exciting activities.

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Lent Festival

Lent Festival

Slovenia's largest outdoor multicultural festival is truly special. It has inspired its own verb, "lenting" (lentovati), which means actively taking part in the festival's events, whether as a performer or a spectator. At the Lent Festival, everyone...

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Old Vine Festival

Old Vine Festival

Tourism, culture, cuisine, and wine converge in a festival in honour of the world's oldest grapevine, an iconic symbol of the city. And be sure not to miss the autumn celebration of Saint Martin's Day!

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The Borštnik Meeting Festival

The Borštnik Meeting Festival

The main Slovenian theatre festival with more than 60 years of tradition and an international dimension invites you to Maribor with its varied and captivating programme.

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Ballet under the Stars

Ballet under the Stars

At the beginning of the new theatre season, the ballet dancers of the Opera and Ballet of the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor pay tribute to the city and its citizens with an unforgettable outdoor ballet performance.

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🏰 LJUBLJANA, A VIBRANT CITY OF ART AND CULTURE

At the heart of the trio of inspiring cities is Ljubljana, Slovenia's dynamic and bustling capital. Home to some of the country's most important cultural institutions, it is an epicentre of cultural and artistic creativity. Ljubljana thrives on creativity, influenced by esteemed figures such as the architect Jože Plečnik, as well as contemporary artists and craftspeople whose studios enrich the city's cultural fabric. Here, ancient artefacts, such as the world's oldest flute, meet modern innovations. Have you explored Center Rog or attended the Lighting Guerrilla Festival? 

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Where history and tradition meet

As befits a capital city, Ljubljana is within walking distance of many extraordinary institutions with even more extraordinary stories and collections. Here you can get up close to a Neanderthal flute, see remnants of Roman times, or nostalgically rediscover everyday objects from your childhood.

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City Museum of Ljubljana

City Museum of Ljubljana

This museum is located in the area of the former Emona and the archaeological remains of this Roman town from 2000 years ago are still visible today in the museum building.

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National Museum of Slovenia

National Museum of Slovenia

The central museum of Slovenian history is home to a vast array of artefacts from across the country, many of which are considered priceless treasures of world cultural heritage.

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Slovenian Museum of Natural History

Slovenian Museum of Natural History

The museum is Slovenia's oldest cultural and scientific institution. It enjoys widespread popularity today, particularly among the youngest generation and anyone fascinated by nature across different eras.

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Slovenian Ethnographic Museum

Slovenian Ethnographic Museum

The Slovenian Ethnographic Museum offers visitors an insight into the lives of Slovenians and other nations through the exploration of their stories and artefacts. The museum hosts a variety of handicraft workshops and events that showcase cultural traditions.

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National Gallery of Slovenia

National Gallery of Slovenia

While walking through the complex of the National Gallery, you will have the opportunity to explore gems of Slovenian art dating from a period spanning the 13th to the 20th century.

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National Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia

National Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia

A visit to the permanent exhibition "Slovenians in the 20th Century" at the museum, located in the heart of the green Tivoli Park, is an experience not to be missed. The museum vividly presents Slovenia' history from 1914 to the present day.

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Modern and contemporary

Ljubljana is a modern city. Over the years, it has hosted many artists and art groups who have left their mark on the world of visual and other arts.

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Center Rog

Center Rog

Center Rog is a creative and social atelier, located in a renovated former bicycle factory. This spacious studio is the workplace of many artists and craftspeople who are eager to share their knowledge through various workshops.

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Cukrarna

Cukrarna

On the banks of the Ljubljanica River towards Poljane, just a short walk from the centre of Ljubljana, a new contemporary art venue and hub – Cukrarna – opened in 2021 in a former sugar refinery.

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Jakopič Gallery

Jakopič Gallery

The Jakopič Gallery, hidden in the basement of the renowned building designed by the architect Edvard Ravnikar, yet right next to the bustling Slovenska Street, is largely dedicated to the art of photography.

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MGLC – International Centre of Graphic Arts

MGLC – International Centre of Graphic Arts

Tivoli Castle is home to the Centre of Graphic Arts, a specialised museum for the art of printing with extensive international collections. The MGLC is also the organiser of the Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts.

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Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO)

Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO)

One of the oldest architecture and design museums in Europe, located at Fužine Castle, houses a collection of Slovenia's architectural and design heritage.

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Kino Šiška, Ljubljana

Kino Šiška, Ljubljana

If you are looking for more alternative rhythms, you can visit Ljubljana's urban culture centre Kino Šiška. A wide selection of non-commercial bands in various musical styles awaits you.

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Match Gallery

Match Gallery

The Match Gallery is a place where fresh, different ideas and perspectives on art are ignited. It is located near the Križanke summer theatre and the City Museum of Ljubljana.

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Ravnikar Gallery Space

Ravnikar Gallery Space

The Ljubljana art scene has been invigorated by the opening of the Ravnikar Gallery, which showcases and represents a diverse group of international artists from the younger generation.

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Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova

Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova

At the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (MG+MSUM), you can marvel at creations by artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

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DobraVaga Gallery

DobraVaga Gallery

The sales gallery and the open studio under Plečnik's arcades showcase the work of a young generation of artists.

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Festivals and biennials with a long tradition vs. urban and niche festivals

Did you know that Ljubljana's top cultural producers host more than 11,000 artistic and cultural events a year across various venues? Ljubljana thrives as an urban hub. Take a stroll through the vibrant urban and cultural districts of Šiška, Moste, Soteska or Metelkova. You'll find plenty of street art and other urban artworks to admire. And there's more! You can also immerse yourself in one of the city's festivals, each offering a unique experience.

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Jazz Festival Ljubljana

Jazz Festival Ljubljana

In its 66th edition in 2025, Europe's longest continually running jazz festival will serve up more popular jazz and improvised music from established and up-and-coming jazz artists.

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MENT Ljubljana

MENT Ljubljana

MENT Ljubljana is an award-winning festival of musical discoveries, one of the leading showcase festivals and music conferences in Central and Eastern Europe

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Film under the Stars

Film under the Stars

Every summer, the Summer Cinema at Ljubljana Castle draws film enthusiasts to the city with premiers and renowned masterpieces of world cinema. This year, it will take place from 10 July to 2 August.

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Biennial of Design – BIO

Biennial of Design – BIO

The Biennial of Industrial Design, which will be held for the 60th time in 2024/2025, is considered the oldest in Europe.

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Ljubljana Festival

Ljubljana Festival

The main summer festival in the Slovenian capital, which boasts over 70 years of tradition, is considered one of the largest and most important festivals in the wider region, and impresses with concerts by world-renowned artists.

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Animateka Festival

Animateka Festival

The international festival in Ljubljana showcases the production of high-quality documentaries, feature films, shorts and children's animation in Central and Eastern Europe.

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Ana Desetnica International Street Theatre Festival

Ana Desetnica International Street Theatre Festival

We all know that when Ana comes to town, the streets and corners transform into stages. The festival is one of Ljubljana's most adored events, captivating audiences with its vibrant street performances.

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LGBT Film Festival

LGBT Film Festival

The Ljubljana Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is the oldest festival of its kind in Europe, presenting cinematographic innovations with LGBT themes.

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Young Lions Festival

Young Lions Festival

The festival of contemporary performing arts showcases innovative approaches to creativity and is an interplay of artistic disciplines, bringing both established artists and young artists to Ljubljana.

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City of Women Festival

City of Women Festival

The international festival of contemporary arts, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year, puts women and their position in society in general and in the cultural and artistic sphere on a pedestal.

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🌳🎪 NOVA GORICA – CITY PARK

Nova Gorica is Slovenia's youngest city, closely connected throughout its brief history to neighbouring Gorizia in Italy. Both cities proudly share the distinction of being named the first borderless European Capital of Culture 2025. If Ljubljana is known as Plečnik's city, Nova Gorica shines under the influence of another visionary, the modernist Edvard Ravnikar. Wander through the green and thriving city while admiring its modernist architectural gems. Attend one of the lively events or catch a performance at the local theatre. Enjoy a coffee with the friendly locals or venture into the surrounding countryside and places that are closely tied to Nova Gorica – from the wine-growing Brda region and the emerald green Soča Valley to the charming Vipava Valley and the rugged Karst landscape.

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European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica - Gorizia

Nova Gorica, Slovenia’s youngest city, and the neighbouring Gorizia in Italy, a unique and brilliant combination of two intertwined cities from adjacent countries, are the first ever borderless European Capital of Culture in 2025. The presentation of Nova Gorica also showcases Slovenia, its diverse culture, vibrant creativity and unique heritage.

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Events galore

Its title of European Capital of Culture has really got the ball rolling in Nova Gorica, building on established events such as the Rose Festival. From concerts in unconventional venues to captivating exhibitions, festivals, and performances, the R.o.R Festival of intermedia art is a feast for the eyes.

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Where to go for a cultural, artistic and beautiful treat?

Although Nova Gorica is a relatively young, post-war city, there is no shortage of great locations for artistic and cultural stories. Before the city fully blossoms as the European Capital of Culture with new arts venues (ECoC District), make sure to discover what defines its unique identity. Just a few kilometres or a short walk from the city centre, you will find castles, parks (such as the mysterious park at the Rafut Villa), scenic viewpoints and much more.

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Slovenia – inspiring stories of art, heritage and culture

Medieval castles on the one hand, and modern architecture on the other. Traditional ethnological festivals followed by contemporary dance or street art festivals find a place on the calendar of events. The richness of historic towns and the treasures of young city centres. Classical music concerts at Plečnik's Križanke, or concerts by world-famous bands at Arena Stožice. Slovenia is a destination where everyone can find something to fill their culture- and art-craving soul.

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