Ljubljana events and What's on 2009

Ljubljana is burstling with the cultural entertainment for its people and also enjoyed by tourists where the language is not a barrier. During the summer, the streets of Ljubljana are daily changes into small markets, street theaters and concerts venues. There is a number of cinemas, galleries and museums to keep you entertained all year long.

Fabula 2009, Short Story Festival
12. January – 13. February
Short story as a genre is taken as art. The event will gather a number of home and international renowned authors. The event will be held in Cankarjev dom.

International Festival of Mountain Film
February
The festival presents to 30 Slovenian and foreign productions of mountain theme, followed by presentations of books, photography and round-table discussions. It takes place in Cankarev dom.

Wine Fair 2009
8. – 11. February
Location: Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Center.

Pustni Karneval (The Shrovetide)
21. February
To scare away winter, every year in February Carnivals take place all around the country and on Ljubljana streets as well. The main day is Shrove Tuesday. People put on masks and with competitions for the best one, parties usually last till morning. You can find big variety of them – from traditional to modern and very original ones. Do not forget to get yourself some donuts.

Gibanica – Moving Cake, 4th Festival of Slovenian Dance
18. – 22. February
Gibanica is a festival of Slovenian dances, which attracts many people from homeland and abroad. It happens every second year and mainly takes place in Cankarjev dom and other locations as well.
www.cd-cc.si

Stories Today 2009, 12th storytelling festival
1. – 31. March
Actors, writers, personal storytellers, musicians and researchers will make the 12th festival possible again. Appropriate for listeners of all ages. The festival takes place in Cankarjev dom and Slovene Ethnographic Museum.

48th International Home Fair
3. March – 8. March
Location: Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Center.

Viva Mexico – festival of Mexican culture
3. March – 18. July
Arhaeological exhibition, photographic exhibition, theatre, music, concerts, film screenings, literary readings and lectures. Location: Cankarjev dom.

24th Slovenian Musical Days
10. March – 14. March
Performances of classical music works of contemporary Slovenian composers will be held on numerous locations.

11th International Festival of Documentary Film
23. – 30. March
The festival opens issues of a documentary film and its influence to society. Taking place in Cankarjev dom.
www.fdf.si

Ljubljana SweetSwing festival 2009
19. Mar – 22. Mar
Dance workshops and performances will take place on numerous locations.

International Puppet Day
21. March
On the day you can join and see any performance of Puppet Theatres for free, since this is the day when they open their door to honor puppetry art and to make it more recognized.

Festival Cvickarija 2009
22. April
A wine festival, named after the authentic Cvicek wine from the Dolenjska region, it has a 16 year history and takes place in four Slovenian cities mainly in April. There are numerous stands with wine, traditional culinary delicacies and artifacts, presented by winegrowers, wine societies and craftsmen and In Ljubljana it is held at the French Revolution Square. Music is present throughout and the event finishes with a concert of numerous musicians at the open air Krizanke theatre.
www.cvickarija.com

Wire Path Walk
7. - 9. May
During the WW2 Ljubljana was the only city in Europe, which was encircled by a barbed wire and thus had a status of a city concentration camp. The reason for the barbed wire was the fact, that Ljubljana had one of the best resistance movements in Europe. Nazis were never able to find and uncover it. For the memory of those dreadful and brave times, an every – year walk is organized by the track of the wire. Usually it happens around 9th May, when Ljubljana was liberated in 1945. The longest track is 35 km.
www.pohod.si

SKIS Market
6. May
It is one of the biggest student fiestas. Student clubs from all over Slovenia gather at one place, presenting their local particularities, including food, drinks and sights. Concerts and food and drinks stands bring the event to a celebration, lasting until late hours. If you are a student or eager to meet Slovenian ones or just feel like a party, this is a must. Usually it is located at Ilirija Stadium by the Tivoli Park.
www.skisova-trznica.si

International Day of Museums
18. May
It is the day when museums prepare special program to characterize the significance of institutions that sustain collection of artifacts connected to the nation`s history and its heritage. It is worth using the day for museums. No entrance fee.

Graduation Parade
15. May
The tradition of dancing quadrille at the prom at the end of four-year secondary education moved to the streets in 2001. At first in Ljubljana only, later in other Slovenian cities as well and recently as an international project, pupils have broken the Guinness World Record in synchronous dancing. If you are in Ljubljana at the time, you will not regret it. The show is big and to see so many young people dancing simultaneously is an absolutely marvelous sight.

Druga Godba, 25th International music festival
18. May - 7. June
“Druga Godba” is an annual very well visited music festival for those, who prefer different, alternative or ethno. Performers from all over the world, including Africa, South Amerika and Asia, are introduced at locations with special atmosphere, like open-air Krizanke or Metelkova Mesto, the alternative quarter of the city. For more info about program and tickets check their web page.
http://festival.drugagodba.si

16th Living Literature Festival
12. – 19. June
For the purpose of popularization of literature and promotion of young writers, the festival remains special for the combination of music and word. It is taken from inside to the streets into hands of people. More specifically - in front of the SKUC Galery at Stari trg. No fee.
www.skuc.org

Museum Summer Night
21. June
It is the day, when museums and galleries open their door out of office hours until late in the evening, offering guides, workshops, video presentations, concerts, lectures etc. Entrance to every museum is free of charge.

50th Ljubljana Jazz Festival
29. Jun – 4. July
In 5 days of the festival famous names of international and Slovenian jazz are presented. The stage is located at Cankarjev Dom and Krizanke, the open air theatre. Tickets can be bought at Hard Rock music shop on Trubarjeva street 40 as well.
www.ljubljanajazz.si

Ana Desetnica 2009, Street theatre festival
2. July – 5. July
It is international festival of a street theatre that takes place on several locations in the city center. At the time streets of Ljubljana work as one big theater.
www.anadesetnica.org

Mini Summer, International puppet festival
28. June – 30. August
International puppet and theater festival for children is sponsored by Mini Theatre, happening mainly at Ljubljana Castle, though other locations as well. Theaters from all over Europe present their plays, some for adults too.
www.mini-teater.si

Festival Ljubljana 2009
6. July – 4. September
The trademark of Festival Ljubljana represents some of the most important and recognized annual events happening from the start of July till the end of August. International philharmonic orchestra concerts, open-air cinema, fine arts colony, opera, ballet, theatre and 55 years of tradition give this festival high artistic value and credibility. For program and more information check their web page.
www.ljubljanafestival.si

Let`s meet at SKUC
17. July – 26. July
Near the Well of Hercules on Gornji trg you can witness many theater, literary, musical and dancing presentations, making the old part of town even more catchy. With workshops for children and a market of books and artistic works, everyone can find something for himself. No fee.
www.skuc.org

Trnfest 2009
28. July - 31. August
Trnfest is a festival which takes place every year during the whole month of August. Various concerts, theatres, musical or video performances are held outside on the street and thus free of charge. Location: Quarter Trnovo. Just ask locals where to go, because it's difficult to find.

Young Lions 2009 - International Festival of Theatre and Dance
17. – 27. August
Presentation of theatre and dance artists from all over the world is set mainly at the location of Stara elektrarna, Slomskova ulica 18, though on other locations as well. For details and program see their web page.
www.bunker.si

Emona Promenade 2009
19. – 23. August
Street festival. Performances of groups and solo artists from different countries.

Madonna Concert 2009
20. August
Location: Hippodrome Stozice

The Old Town Nights
25. – 30. August
As traditional enclosure of the “Summer in the Old Town of Ljubljana” festival, it symbolically represents an ending of summer beats of the city. During the 5 days the entire Old Town breathes various kinds of art, food, drinks and concerts of usually rock, classical and ethno music.

28th Biennial of Graphic Arts
4.September – 25.October
Representing different art forms from traditional printmaking to web-based art, presentations take place in the most important national galleries, museums or private galleries and flats.
www.mglc-lj.si

European day of Jewish culture
6. Sep
Location: Židovska ulica and Židovska steza.

Medieval Days
September
The traditional Medieval Days and Festival of Medieval and Renaissance Music will take place on different locations in the city. The main event at the Ljubljana castle will be followed by others at Triple Bridge, Congress Square and City Park. Dancers, musicians, actors, swordsmen and jugglers from Serbia, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia will create an unforgettable medieval experience.
www.mini-teater.si

Ex Ponto
2nd half of September
Ex Ponto is an International Festival of Contemporary Theatre Production. It takes place on different locations in the city.
www.exponto.net

Terminal00
End of September
Terminal00 is an interesting Balkan-art festival that joins young artists of Balkan region, from Greece up to Slovenia. Photography, visual communication, music, video, dance, theater and film presentations show cultural richness and diversity of the Balkans and contradict general ideas of instability in the region. The festival is set on different locations in the city, mainly alternative and artistic ones.
www.terminal00.org

Festival Zlata Palicica
October
It is a festival of professional theaters for children and since it is a biennial happens every second year. It is organized and sponsored by Theater for Children and Youth in Ljubljana. For details and program see their web page.
www.goml.si

15th City of Women – international festival of contemporary arts
2. - 12. October
An annual festival offering room to female art and culture is for the 15th time representing artistic productions of women all over the world. The essence of their play, music, literature, visual art and video productions is to point out the wrongful and disproportionate participation of women in culture and life in general. It is taking place on several locations in Ljubljana, usual and alternative ones.
www.cityofwomen.org

Ljubljana Marathon
25. October 2009
This relatively young European marathon annually attracts thousands of sportsmen. The run starts in the city centre and runs around the Mostec hill. There are three different lengths of route (7, 21 and 42 km). This year already 12th international marathon takes place in Ljubljana.
www.ljubljanskimaraton.si

4th Slovene Biennial of Visual Communication
27. October– 29. November
The event takes place in National Galery.

Liffe, Ljubljana International Film Festival
11. – 22. November
The Ljubljana International Film Festival has gained its credibility and attraction throughout the year with chosen movies in competition from all over the world. Location: Cankarjev dom.
www.liffe.si

23rd Book Fair
28.November – 2.December
Book novelties are presented in the cultural atmosphere of Cankarjev dom. For details check their web page.
www.cd-cc.si

Lesbian and Gay Film Festival 2009
28. November– 5. December
Ljubljana Lesbian and Gay Film Festival is the oldest film festival of this kind in Europe. Through decades of economic and political changes it has helped killing myths, calming down emotions, joining people of different believes and building a rightful Europe. 23rd in a row is taking place in Slovenska Kinoteka.

Day of Culture
3. December
Celebrating birthday of Slovenian greatest poet Dr. France Preseren, 3rd Dec is dedicated to culture. Museums, theatres, galeries, libraries and other cultural institutions open their door and entrance is free.

Holiday Winter Fair
3.December – 2.January
Annually at the start of December Ljubljana gets beautifully decorated and stands offering souvenires, Christmas gifts, foods and drinks are set in the Old Town by the river and at the market place one next to another. At this festive time street concerts, theatres and other events are frequent. For event program visit Tourist Information Office of Ljubljana.

Animateka, 6th animated film festival
8. – 15. December
Location: Kinodvor.

New Year in Ljubljana
31. December
Every year thousands of citizens wait for the New Year on the streets of Ljubljana. Celebrations with concerts take place at different locations in the city center. For program visit Tourist Information Office of Ljubljana.

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