Visit Ptuj in the winter, when it turns into the biggest open-air ethnographic museum showcasing intangible cultural heritage.
Lonely Planet singled out Kurentovanje as one of the ten best carnivals in the world, on par with those in Venice, Rio de Janeiro, and New Orleans. The carnival is an excellent opportunity to see not only the door-to-door rounds of Kurents that UNESCO put on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, but to also observe a number of folk and carnival parades, meet traditional and modern carnival characters, go to a masquerade and so much more. Kurentovanje features a number of parades, the carnival promenade, presentations of traditional costumes, concerts, masquerade balls, exhibitions, and so much more, divided into ArtFest, EtnoFest, and KarnevalFest.
11.–21. 2. 2023
KURENT/KORANT’S JUMP
Thursday, 2nd February, 24.00
The carnival season kicks off with an especially mystical event. At midnight the Kurents first don their bells by the fire, and start chasing away the winter and evil.
INTRODUCTION OF WINE MISTIK
Friday, 3rd February, 12.00, Ptujska klet
Mistik wine is a mystical wine. Each edition is special, different and mystical. Every year, grapes from a single vineyard and from other varieties, are grown and matured according to various technological procedures.
OPENING OF KURENT’S HOUSE
Friday, 3rd February, 15.00, Kurentova hiša (Kurent’s house)
Kurent’s house will be the center of the kurent and its rituals, where the character of the kurent/korant will be presented in one place throughout the year and not only during the 5th season – the time of the Carnival.
INTERCONTINENTAL MEETING OF TRADITIONAL CARNIVAL CHARACTERS AND MASKS
Saturday, 11th February, 11.00
Do not miss this unique adventure and get a valuable insight into the colorful carnival traditions from near and far. Ptuj streets will be filled with traditional carnival characters, such as Kurents, spearmen, Dornava Gypsies, ploughmen, rusas, cockerels, and bears.
MEET TRADITIONAL CARNIVAL CHARACTERS
12th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 20th February 2023, 18.00, Mestni trg
Ptuj is the capital of traditions, and a place to meet traditional carnival characters in an intimate setting. In the evenings, you can see them in the heart of the oldest Slovenian city.
DAY OF KURENT AND KORANT GROUPS
Wednesday, 15 February, 16.00 in 18.00, Mestni trg
During Kurentovanje, the Wednesday of each year is reserved for the Day of Kurent and Korant groups, when hundreds of horned and feathered Kurents/Korants walk through the city.
NIGHT SPECTACLE
Friday, 17 February, 18.00, Mestni trg
Power of the night – the carnival way! The illuminated and decorated Ptuj streets draw a motley crew of mysterious characters, who will create a fantastic play of darkness and light. We can also promise you an unforgettable fire and music show.
CITY CARNIVAL PROMENADE
Saturday, 18 February, 11.00, Mestni trg
It’s time to show off your mask! Become a part of this tradition, put on a mask, and join the promenade with masked townspeople. The promenade first started already in the 19th century, and now you can help us preserve this wonderful tradition.
INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL PARADE
Sunday, 19 February, 13.00
Do not forget to mark Kurentovanje on your calendar today. Ptuj’s streets and squares will be filled several thousands of carnival and traditional costumes, who will tell the stories of the past, future and present.
PARADE OF KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN
Monday, 20 February, 10.00
The children’s carnival parade is co-organized with the Ptuj Kindergarten. It is attended by children of the 2nd age group from entire Slovenia, which awaken the spring in the streets of the oldest Slovenian city.
SHROVE TUESDAY AND BURIAL OF THE CARNIVAL
Tuesday, 21 February, from 12.00
In Ptuj, the farewell from the carnival season is especially festive. We stop working at noon, and meet at numerous parties around the city. Why don’t you join the unique urban carnival celebrations that can last until wee hours.
Photo: Stanko Kozel
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