Puppetry, Street Performers, and Local Creators: Art Festivals in Ljubljana

This post is part of the ArtSmart Roundtable, an awesome group of bloggers dedicated to bringing you culture and art from all over the world. I’m excited to be a part of the group and I’ll be sharing a post from the Roundtable every month. This month’s theme is “Art City”, so let’s get cracking…

Ljubljana is probably one of Europe’s lesser known capital cities. It sits in the shadow of cultural greats like Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and London – I mean, it really does have some big guns to contend with. But it also remains hidden even in its little corner of the continent, often overlooked in favour of cities in neighbouring countries.

It’s a small city, too, which might have something to do with the fewer crowds, but it is my no means less artistic or cultural than some of Europe’s more visited hotspots.

Quite the contrary, in fact.

Ljubljana is a little hub of creativity, with a mind-boggling range of museums and galleries, from graphic arts institutions, to abstract galleries and national art museums. Seriously, there is a lot of inspiration to be had in this unsuspecting city.

But it’s not the museums and galleries that I want to talk about today (that’s a whole other post entirely). Instead, I want to share with you some of the arts festivals that take place throughout the year.

This extensive and diverse range of events surely cement Ljubljana as a top art city, am I right?

Art events that take place every month

There are, in fact, a number of fairs, markets, and arty events that take place every single month in Ljubljana. So, if you’re on the hunt for some creative inspiration, you’re likely to find at least something to get the cogs whirring whenever you visit!

FairArt Fair

Taking place every month in the main open market, FairArt Fair offers a platform for local artists and craftspeople to showcase and sell their work. Here, you’ll find lots of stalls decked high with unique, one-of-a-kind products, many of which are handmade by innovative young Slovenian creators.

Creative Fair

This arty fair doesn’t get going until May, but from then through to December it is held every Tueday in the Maximart passage, just next to the Parliament building (you’ll struggle to miss it!). Like FairArt Fair, this creative market showcases work by some of the area’s most up-and-coming artists and creators. You can expect to pick up a diverse range of handmade goods, from leather textiles and jewellery to paintings and homemade cosmetics (it’s a very mixed bag!).

The best thing about Creative Fair, though? Every afternoon there’s a series of creative workshops where you can try your hand at creating something unique, too.

ARTish Festival

Taking place on every last Saturday of the month I Gornji trg Square, ARTish Festival is a lively event that features numerous artist stands where you can browse the work of local creators, and there’s also a jam-packed schedule of workshops, performances, concerts, and charity projects that run alongside it.

Annual Art Events

As well as a schedule of monthly arty extravaganzas, Ljubljana also plays host to several larger annual festivals throughout the year.

International Puppet Day

21st March

Who doesn’t like a puppet, right?! Puppetry is actually a highly praised art form in Slovenia, so it makes sense that there’s a festival dedicated to the craft.

Taking place in March, there is a selection of performances from a number of local Puppet Theatres, as well as lots of stalls and exhibitions displaying intricate puppet art and stage design.

International Day of Museums

18th May

This is the best day in Ljubljana for art lovers! For one day only, all the museums and galleries open their doors for free and provide a special program for visitors. It’s set up to highlight the nation’s history and heritage, and the majority of exhibitions put on for the day will relate to Slovenia in some way.

Photonical Moments: Festival of Contemporary Photography

June

There’s a little something for every kind of art lover in Ljubljana! For photography enthusiasts June is the time to visit, when the annual photo festival takes place. Throughout the day, a number of discussions, lectures, and exhibitions take place in a range of venues throughout the city.

Museum Summer Night

20th June

Ah those heady summer days. Could they be any better? Well, yes, if museums and galleries have free entry after hours! For Museum Summer Night, the city’s galleries and art institutions keep their doors open late and offer a selection of evening entertainment, from workshops, concerts, presentations, and lectures.

Mini Summer International Puppet Festival

June

See, I told you puppetry was important in Ljubljana! The second event of the year dedicated to this old craft is actually aimed at children and takes place in the magical surroundings of Ljubljana Castle. It features performances from Puppet Theatres in Slovenia as well as some from across Europe.

63rd Ljubljana Festival

July-September

The is the biggest arts event in Ljubljana’s calendar and sees a series of high-end performances, exhibitions, concerts, open-air viewings, and more happening over a four-month period. It’s a hugely traditional affair, with lots of local artists and performers taking centre stage, and there’s plenty of opportunities for visitors to get involved in the action, too.

Trnfest

July – 1st September

This annual summer event is again the perfect chance to explore the arts and performance culture of Ljubljana and Slovenia as a whole. Throughout its duration, there are plenty of concerts, special exhibitions, markets, workshops, and street performances, all of which take place outside on the streets in the city’s picturesque Old Quarter. Everything is free, so get stuck in and get creative!

Day of Culture

3rd December

Marking the birth of Dr. France Preseren, Slovenia’s best-loved poet, this one-day arts festival explores numerous themes throughout the city’s museums, galleries, theatres, and libraries. All institutions are free to visit on this day.

So, as you can see, Ljubljana is a hugely arty city, with a whole series of creative events spanning the year. Whether you’re an opera lover, an art enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique souvenir, then you’ll find everything you’re looking for and more on the streets of Slovenia’s capital!

The ArtSmart Roundtable

See the other great posts in this month’s ArtSmart Roundtable (and check out the facebook group, which is full of tips and advice for art lovers who travel):

• Christina of Daydream Tourist – Washington DC: An Art and Culture Capital
• Alexandra of Art Trav – The Art and Travel Dog
• Lydian and Pal of Art Weekenders – Art City Break Cologne: Meeting Point for Pop Art and Saints
• Murissa from The Wanderfull Traveler – ArtSmart: A Look at the Art Scene in Vancouver
• Jenna of This is My Happiness – Two Very Different Museums in San Francisco