This year marks the Year of Cankar. Exactly 150 years have passed since the birth of Ivan Cankar, one of Slovenia's greatest writers and playwrights. This anniversary year will feature numerous performances, exhibitions, film events, walks, literary evenings and other events, but above all it offers a new opportunity to discover Cankar.
Turjak Castle, one of the most recognisable castles in Slovenia and a symbol of its rich cultural heritage, has stood above the valley in the Municipality of Velike Lašče for centuries. Its mighty walls have witnessed the triumphs and trials of noble families, important historical events and the development of the Slovenian lands. Today, the castle has once again opened its doors to visitors, embarking on a new chapter in its story.
In the dead of the night, a group of women set out along the narrow path towards Trieste. They carry baskets full of fruit and vegetables on their heads. It will take them six to seven hours of walking to get to the city. They will only return home in the evening, with some flour or coffee, and some money if they are lucky.
How did people once record their thoughts, express their beliefs, mark their belongings or tell stories? What can ancient artefacts tell us about this today? The exhibition Tweets from the Past (Čivki iz preteklosti), on display at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana until 23 August 2026, reveals the earliesttraces of symbols, signs and written records in the territory of present-day Slovenia through remarkable archaeological finds. Some of the exhibited objects even hold the remarkable distinction of being the oldest of their kind in the world.
The seventh stanza of the poem Zdravljica (A Toast), written by France Prešeren, is used as Slovenia’s national anthem, while the melody was adapted from the choral composition of the same name by Stanko Premrl. In commemoration of all those connected to its creation, the House of Zdravljica was opened in the birthplace of Stanko Premrl in Podnanos near Vipava. There, visitors can learn about the history behind Slovenia’s national anthem and the people who contributed to its creation.
The Pleterje Charterhouse is, currently, the only functioning charterhouse in Slovenia as well as one of the most recognisable monuments of Slovenia's sacral heritage. It lies in the peaceful surroundings of the Dolenjska region, sheltered by the Gorjanci hills, where, for centuries, it has been known as a place of silence, retreat and spiritual contemplation. Its recent designation as a cultural monument of national importance further confirms its exceptional historical, cultural and spiritual significance.
At a time when we are questioning the possibility of achieving peace, the Bird of Hope for Peace delivers a powerful and universal message to the world. This artwork by Slovenian artist Eva Petrič is currently on display near the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Spanning centuries, the Goriška Brda region has developed a unique landscape where history, nature and tradition intertwine. However, it is in spring that the landscape truly comes to life, taking on a distinctive, almost fairy-tale-like appearance.
In Slovenia, it would be difficult to find anyone who has not heard of the Reading Badge (Bralna značka). Most people first encounter it in primary school. This cultural movement, entered in the Slovenia's register of intangible cultural heritage, has been promoting a love of reading for decades. In conversation with Gaja Kos, president of the Slovenian Reading Badge Society, and her colleagues, we explore why this is unique even in the international context.
The magic of Easter for children is, above all, in the dyeing of Easter eggs. However, in addition to dyeing, painting and pasting, it is also an opportunity to play games. Hunting for the Easter Bunny is not a Slovenian custom, so it is a good idea to make children familiar with Slovenian Easter games.
The Škofja Loka Passion Play is based on the original work of Father Romuald, Lovrenc Marušič, dating from the early 18th century, and is regarded as the oldest preserved dramatic text in the Slovene language. The text of the Škofja Loka Passion Play was developed on the basis of the tradition of Slovene penitential processions. It comprises 865 verses and 13 scenes: Paradise; Death; the Last Supper; Samson; the Agony in the Garden; the Scourging; the Crowning with Thorns; Saint Jerome; Ecce Homo; Christ on the Cross; the Mother of Seven Sorrows; the Ark of the Covenant; and the Holy Sepulchre. This year, it will be staged for the first time since its inscription in 2016 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
At the prestigious La Maestra competition in Paris, Slovenian conductor Mojca Lavrenčič achieved what many dream of: a triumph that opens the door to the world’s great stages. The road to that moment, however, was not paved with a red carpet, but with perseverance, hard work, faith in miracles and a deep love of music.
