Slovenian Festivals and Events
Ljubljana City of Women, Lake Bohinj Bonfire Night, Maribor Theatre
Jul 14, 2007
Slovenia in central Europe is big on its festivals, cultural events, public parties and celebrations. Whether it’s the City of Women or International Biennale of Graphic Arts in the capital, Ljubljana or the bizarre Cow’s Ball and Bonfire Night on Lake Bohinj, there is always some event going on to attract visitors from all over the world. Here are just some of the festivals that can be enjoyed across the wonderful country of Slovenia throughout the year.
Slovenian Festivals and Events – City of Women, Ljubljana
City of Women is an arts festival, held every October in the Slovenian capital city, Ljubljana. As the name would suggest, the festival concentrates by artistic works and performances by women, whether music, sculpture, photography or dance. The festival is noted for its creativity and diversity of exhibitions.
Ljubljana also hosts plenty of other events throughout the year, including the Ljubljana Spring Festival in July and August, Vino Ljubljana (an international wine fair) in June and the International Biennale of Graphic Arts.
Slovenian Festivals and Events – Cow’s Ball and Bonfire Night, Lake Bohinj
This glacial lake in the Gorenjska region plays host to two of Slovenia’s stranger events. The Cow’s Ball (or Kravji Bal) is a good, old-fashioned knees up involving plenty of drinking, dancing and traditional song. It is officially held to mark the return of the cows to the valleys from their pastures in the mountains, but it’s largely an excuse for a spot of debauchery.
The second big celebration is Bonfire Night, which is held on the weekend closest to the 15th August. Marking the Feast of the Assumption, the locals party with big fireworks displays and candle-lit floats on the lake.
Slovenian Festivals and Events – Tartini Festival, Piran
The coastal city of Piran turns into a classical music haven during the middle of August, which is then the Tartini festival comes to town. The cloister of the Minorite monastery is just one of the innovative venues for the performances, which attract visitors and classical music fans from all over the world.
Slovenian Festivals and Events – Borstnik Meeting, Maribor
The Borstnik Meeting is Slovenia’s biggest theatre festival, and it takes part in the back end of October. Venues across the city are filled with performers and the plays range from the traditional to the contemporary. Other event in Maribor include the Lent Festival in June and July and the Christening of the Rafts on the River Drava in June.
