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.
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.
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.
Spring is a time of awakening. As the earth warms, birds begin to sing and flowers gently emerge from the ground, bringing with them a sense of hope, new beginnings and joy. Over the centuries, this season has given rise to many customs connected both with nature and with folk wisdom and creativity.
Prešeren's house in Vrba in the Gorenjska region is the birthplace of Slovenia's greatest poet, France Prešeren, and one of the country's most important cultural monuments. It is also the most visited museum in Slovenia.
Slovenia has declared 2026 the year of the great Slovenian poet Srečko Kosovel and the writer Zofka Kveder. Marking the centenary of their deaths, the year is dedicated to honouring two major figures of Slovenian literature and to highlighting their lasting impact on Slovenian culture and society.
Masquerading is part of everyday life, festivals, customs and the circle of life. Its long history connects our past with the future. The exhibition, Masks: From Ritual to Carnival, hosted by the Slovene Ethnographic Museum, presents both the Slovenian and international carnival heritage.
A little over two years ago, a surprising discovery was made in the small village of Čadrg in the Tolmin area. While restoring livestock watering points, six fir logs were found submerged deep in the mud. This turned out to be a major discovery, as the logs came from trees that had grown more than 6,000 thousand years ago, during the pile-dwelling period. Renowned Slovenian violin maker Daniel Musek used this precious wood to craft a violin, which he named the Mother Violin.
Lublanske novice is considered to be the first Slovenian newspaper and an important milestone in the history of Slovenian language and culture. It was first published at the end of the 18th century. At the time, the idea of a constant periodical was already taking shape in Slovenia – one that would share news, entertainment and educational content as well as information on politics, the economy and culture.
Kiosks are small structures that are often overlooked in a city, yet they play an important role. People buy newspapers, snacks and other small everyday items at kiosks, but they also serve as places where people stop, exchange a few words and make a quick purchase.
The year in which Nova Gorica and Gorizia shared the title of European Capital of Culture brought an extraordinary variety of creative events. More than 1600 events, more than 19 thousand participants and more than a million visitors demonstrate the power and scope of this project. It was the first cross-border European Capital of Culture in the 40-year history of the initiative and a year that will leave a lasting mark on the Goriška region.
The mighty Basilica of Mary Help of Christians stands in the small village of Brezje near Radovljica in the Gorenjska region, beneath the Karavanke mountains. In 2000, the basilica was declared Slovenia's national shrine. Every year on the Feast of the Assumption – known in Slovenia as veliki šmaren – more than 10,000 people visit this national shrine in Brezje, where masses are held throughout the day.
