News
STA, 25 August 2019 - The Ljubljana wider area covers 211 square kilometres, including 62 square kilometres of forest, with the land around the city being natural habitat for various animals, including numerous bird species as well as endangered species or even those that have been already considered extinct.
Ljubljana has some 300,000 inhabitants and at least so many birds nesting in the area.
The little bittern has been spotted in the Tivoli Nature Park and in the Rožnik and Šiška hills, with the bird frequenting urban areas as well.
It is critically endangered in Slovenia or even thought to be extinct. As its name implies, it is relatively small compared to other herons.
The park's managers have come across the allegedly extinct noble crayfish species, which used to be very common in the Slovenian rivers, but suffered a major population drop due to invasive crayfish carrying the duck plague.
The area is home to almost 500 butterfly species, some 110 beetle species, around 100 bird species, including 68 who nest in the city, some 50 spider species, 36 dragonfly species, 12 various species of reptiles and 8 species of bats.
Among mammals, visitors can spot the common shrew, the southern white-breasted hedgehog, the edible dormouse, squirrels, deer and otters.
According to Marko Jonozovič of the Forest Service, the Ljubljana rural area is also home to the brown hare and pheasants, foxes, badgers and the beech marten, with introduced or invasive muskrat and nutria species living in wetlands or alongside stretches of water.
The brown bear rarely finds itself in the forests within the Ljubljana urban area - occasionally the bear enters it through the Golovec animal-friendly passageway or other highway overpasses and underpasses, but mostly it roams the south-western part of the Ljubljana Marshes where it can find enough food and enjoy some peace.
Wolves and lynx have not been present in the past few decades within the Ljubljana ring road, has said Jonozovič, though the former occasionally visit the marshes.
Meanwhile, the chamois has been spotted in the river Iška canyon, some 20km south of Ljubljana.
West of Ljubljana, near Dobrova, in the Polhov Gradec hills, the mouflon has been detected as well. Moreover, the wild boar, deer, and jackal have been known to be present in the wider forested area of Ljubljana.
Among local birds, house sparrows, blackbirds, pigeons and great tits are the most common. In the past decades, the city has witnessed increasing numbers of crows, with the birds feeling safe in the centre due to the abundance of food.
The Tivoli Nature Park and the Rožnik and Šiška hills are home to protected birds, listed on the Natura 2000 list as threatened species in Europe, such as mallard ducks, the common buzzard, the Eurasian scops owl, the black woodpecker.
Moreover, endangered species, such as the black and white stork and the jackdaw have been spotted in the park as well.
Fortunately for those taking a stroll around the park, there are no lethal snakes in the area, since vipers, which are present in Slovenia, prefer rocky terrain.
Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.
A schedule of all the main events involving Slovenia this week can be found here
This summary is provided by the STA:
Estonian president ahead of Bled forum: We need to prepare for world in 2050
LJUBLJANA/TALLINN, Estonia - Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid will be one of the main guests of this year's Bled Strategic Forum. Kaljulaid expects the meeting to bring an in-depth debate on sustainable development and answers on how to prepare for a further global population rise and prevent the planet from suffering. "The issue of resources is becoming more and more important for the whole world and Europe has been a leader in these discussions," she told the STA.
State gradually taking possession of orphan securities
LJUBLJANA - Almost three years since the discontinuation of free accounts managed by the Central Securities Clearing Corporation (KDD), the company is still in possession of thousands of stocks issued during the early 1990s privatisation that their owners have not claimed. These securities will now be gradually transferred to the state-run KAD fund starting with a transfer of all remaining stocks to a single dedicated account in September.
Heavy rain creates problems in Koroška
ČRNA NA KOROŠKEM/VUZENICA - Severe storms which hit Koroška on Saturday caused major damage across the northern region, including landslides blocking local roads and railway tracks, kindergarten flooding and an emergency evacuation of a family. Relief works have already started and are expected to last several days.
Roglič makes up for lost time, finishes third in Vuelta 2nd stage
ALICANTE, Spain - Slovenian cycling star Primož Roglič took third place in the second stage of the Vuelta a Espana race on Sunday, making up for the majority of the time he lost on Saturday.
Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here
If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here
August 25, 2019
According to Delo and Slovenske novicea Slovenian truck driver is under investigation by British authorities who discovered several kilos of cocaine hidden in a refrigerator truck at the border crossing in Dover.
Delo states that the detained driver is allegedly the former professional football player Srečko Pavlovič (43), who has worked for several logistics companies in the last few years. The truck in which between 6 to 10 kg of cocaine was discovered belongs to a company Pavlovič has been employed with for a couple of months.
Whether Pavlovič is also going to be indicted with drug trafficking will be known after the investigation is completed.
STA, 24 August 2019 - Having shortened the standard eight-hour workday by two hours, companies Donar and Plastika Skaza have prompted a debate on whether Slovenia should replace the 40-hour working week with a 30-hour one. Trade unions welcome the idea, although they are aware of certain restrictions, whereas employers warn of negative consequences.
In April 2018, Donar, a designer chair manufacturer, became the Slovenian pioneer in shortening the workday without lowering pay or paying lower social security contributions for their employees.
Its director Matej Feguš has told the STA the idea had been in the pipeline for quite some time before it was implemented.
"Having observed the work processes in the company for a while, we realised people worked efficiently for six hours at the most. The goal was to improve productivity, not with more hours but with better-quality work."
He says their employees now have more time for their families and and have fewer problems, so they are consequently more diligent at work. What is more, relations in the company, which now employs 18 workers, have improved.
However, Feguš admits the shorter workday sometimes means that not all the work is done in time, so the company now plans work processes more carefully.
Also, employees get easily used to their new rights, so when the need to work longer actually arises, they have to negotiate with them as if they had to work overtime.
But Feguš believes the greatest benefit of the six-hour workday is that after working for 40 years, people's total workload would be lower by 20%.
"So after 40 years, they could still be active and contribute to society instead of retiring and be lying at home at the expense of the public health fund."
Ferguš is thus rather disappointed that politics has not yet found a way to legislate a six-hour workday.
Donar's example was this year followed by Plastika Skaza, a much larger company with more than 300 employees and around 100 temps.
The Velenje-based producer of plastic kitchenware will phase in a six-hour workday in October, starting with the accounting service department.
The idea is to allow our employees to better balance their work and private life, Aleksandra Logar, human resources head at Plastika Skaza, told the STA in June.
Although the 40-hour week is the standard rule in Slovenia, labour legislation allows for a shorter, 36-hour, working week, if the employer and employees agree on it in a collective bargaining agreement.
But not all Slovenian employers are thrilled at the prospect of a shorter workday.
Lina Fratnik Andrić of the Slovenian Association of Employers (ZDS) writes in the Delodajalec magazine about Sweden's experience at an elderly home and a hospital.
While the nursing staff and surgeons improved the quality of services and felt happier, more staff had to be hired to do the same amount of work, so labour costs rose.
Fratnik Andrić also says that the 35-hour working week introduced in France several years ago has failed to result in a higher employment rate.
"On the contrary, the number of workers taking two jobs has increased, and the actual working week has remained at 39 hours," she explains.
She nevertheless admits that work processes have radically changed since the 40-hour week was introduced, so new forms of work will have to be put forward.
She believes working at home and flexible work arrangements are two options to facilitate a better balance between work and other life roles.
With automation on the one hand and work becoming ever more intense on the other, Slovenian trade unions have made a shorter workday one of their goals a while ago.
Lidija Jerkič, head of the ZSSS confederation, believes a shorter workday has a positive impact on efficiency and safety at work, as well as on social life and health.
Still, she is cautious, noting that a six-hour workday would not increase employment and reduce costs in all branches of industry.
"If you have a one-shift company, productivity would increase if they do the same amount of work as in eight hours without hiring new staff, and they will save on electricity and heating bills.
"But if you have a company working in four shifts, fixed costs will remain the same, while workers for an entire new shift would have to be hired, which would considerably raise labour costs although productivity would perhaps improve," says the trade unionist.
She explains that the unions proposed a 35-hour working week to employers in the metal and electronics industries ten years ago, "but the answer was simply no".
"Unfortunately, the debate is now going in a completely different direction. Despite the legislated full 40- or 36-hour workday, workday is in practice totally out of control. Many workers work more than the weekday, they put in more overtime than allowed under the law, and have no breaks or rest."
Meanwhile, the ministry in charge of labour says there has been no serious debate on the issue among the government, unions and employers.
Introducing a six-hour workday, if it is to increase productivity, depends primarily on the type of business and the manner in which work is organised, the ministry has told the STA.
STA, 24 August 2019 - The International Agriculture and Food Fair AGRA opened in Gornja Radgona on Saturday, with Prime Minister Marjan Šarec saying that the event was of exceptional importance for Slovenia. He said that the issues in agriculture were solvable, but not overnight, adding that the sector must tackle new challenges.
Šarec noted in his opening address that he and Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec, coming from the countryside, were well aware what rural areas and Slovenian warmers were.
But the prime minister added that agriculture must focus on tackling new challenges, and get oriented towards digitalisation, modernisation of farms and simplification of work processes.
Šarec added that the government would continue to cooperate well with the Trade Union of Farmers as experts. "And we will always work for the good of Slovenian farmers, because this is our task."
He said that "if there will be no Slovenian farmers, there will be no Slovenian food, and consequently there will be no health. And if there is no health, there will be no Slovenia eventually."
According to the prime minister, Slovenian farmers must be ready for dialogue with the state and be aware that the issues that have piled up in the last 25 years cannot be resolved overnight. "But we have the will and energy."
The opening of the fair was also addressed by European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan, who said that AGRA was a very important event, providing farmers with the opportunity to present their products.
He commended the cooperation in agriculture between Slovenia and the Austrian state of Styria as an excellent example and congratulated Slovenia on being awarded the title of the European Region of Gastronomy for 2021.
According to Hogan, more discussions should be held about incentives for young farmers, modernisation of the Common Agricultural Policy, new tools, modern technologies and digitalisation, in order to make agriculture attractive to young people.
Effort should be made to maintain the balance, to have farmers who are not only smart, but who will be able to survive, otherwise farmers could get into trouble, he said, adding that farmers should be given respect they deserved.
Minister Pivec meanwhile noted that there was a frequent conflict between urban and rural areas, adding that national politics had been neglecting the latter.
The countryside and forests represent more than three-quarters of the Slovenian territory, which is why the countryside should be treated as the key element for the country's development, she added.
"There is no Slovenia without the countryside. This is what the political and other public liked to forget about in in the last twenty years."
According to Pivec, one of the main tasks is to raise the reputation of farmers and agriculture and provide conditions for their further existence and development in the light of modern challenges.
Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, the regional minister for economy, tourism, Europe, science and research of Austria's Styria, commended the good cooperation between Slovenia and Austria, including successful projects co-funded by the EU.
Pivec and Hogan held a press conference after the opening of the fair, commending its organisers and assessing yesterday's meeting of agriculture ministry delegations in Ptuj as successful.
The Slovenian minister noted that delegations from 15 ministries from EU member states and candidate countries had discussed a very important topic, which was also the common thread of the fair.
"We signed a joint declaration which commits us to cooperating and working together in creating and transferring knowledge to practice, in modernisation and technological advancement of agriculture," she said.
According to the minister, AGRA is one of the most important events in Europe for the promotion and meetings of various stakeholders in the agricultural and food sector. She called for participation in the creation of a new strategy for Slovenian agriculture.
Hogan too believes that it is important to talk to all stakeholders, and especially lend an ear to farmers, who should be recognised with playing an important role in the production of safe food.
The commissioner said that rural development was also important for Slovenia, emphasising the concept of smart villages, where Slovenia has assumed a leading role with a conference in 2018 in Bled.
Running until 28 August, the AGRA Fair of Agriculture and Food 2019 will focus on digitalisation, automation, new technology in farming and the agro-food sector, as well as generational renewal.
The slogan of the 57th international trade show, featuring 1,850 exhibitors from 32 countries, is The Fair of the New Generation, with the main focus on the digitalisation in agriculture, local food, and youth in agriculture.
Austria's Styria will feature as a partner region, while presentations will also be organised of Hungary, Croatia, North Macedonia, Poland, Bulgaria and Vietnam.
STA, 25 August 2019 - A series of events will be held between today and 18 September in five Slovenian towns to mark the European Days of Jewish Culture. The all-European project, taking place in Slovenia for the 20th year in a row, will provide the visitors with a deep insight into individual aspects of Jewish culture and heritage.
For the 20th anniversary of the project in Slovenia, a diverse programme of events will be held in Maribor, Ljubljana, Negova, Lendava and Murska Sobota, almost all of the events being free of charge.
The European Days of Jewish Culture in Slovenia will be opened by the Maribor-based world music group Kontra-Kvartet with a concert featuring the traditional Jewish Klezmer music in the Maribor City Park.
The programme will also feature open day events, guided tours in museums, several exhibitions, a theatre performance, a concert of Jewish music, and various presentations and interactive workshops.
The aim is to introduce the audience into Jewish culture and raise their awareness of the importance of preservation and protection of Jewish heritage as an important part of European culture, the organisers say.
According to the Sinagoga Maribor centre for Jewish cultural heritage, the project involves various organisers from the entire Europe every year. Last year, events were held in more than 400 towns in 28 European countries.
You can see the full Slovenian programme here
Keep up with the daily news in Slovenia by checking the morning headlines here
This summary of upcoming events was create by STA:
MONDAY, 26 August
LJUBLJANA - The 16th European Conference of the International Association of Energy Economics will be launched by Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek; until 28 August.
MARIBOR - A debate on the national climate and energy plan, to feature energy experts and NGOs.
NOVO MESTO - A pre-trial arraignment for three illegal migrants who abducted a Bela Krajina man in May.
LJUBLJANA - The movement Youth for Climate Justice will stage a protest in front of the Brazilian Embassy to highlight the lack of action over the Amazon rainforest fires.
LJUBLJANA - The Statistics Office will release the business sentiment index for August.
LJUBLJANA - The bookshop Konzorcij will host a meeting with Trieste-based author Boris Pahor on his 106th birthday.
LJUBLJANA - A four-day open-air cinema festival will get under way in Congress Square with a screening of Ninotchka, a 1939 film by Ernst Lubitsch.
TUESDAY, 27 August
BELGRADE, Serbia - Prime Minister Marjan Šarec will make an official visit to Serbia for talks with his counterpart Ana Brnabić, President Aleksandar Vučić and Speaker Maja Gojković.
LJUBLJANA - New administered prices of regular and diesel fuel sold outside motorways will kick in.
WEDNESDAY, 28 August
HELSINKI, Finland - Defence Ministry State Secretary Miloš Bizjak will take part in a two-day informal meeting of EU defence ministers discussing artificial intelligence, new technologies and hybrid threats.
MARIBOR - The European Junior Olympiad in Informatics will come to a close with an awards ceremony.
LJUBLJANA - The three-day Conventa Crossover conference on tourism and marketing will open.
THURSDAY, 29 August
HELSINKI, Finland - Foreign Minister Miro Cerar is to meet his Croatian counterpart Goran Grlić Radman on the sidelines of a two-day informal meeting of EU foreign ministers.
COLORADO, US - Defence Minister Karl Erjavec will visit the Colorado National Guard and meet its commander and the Colorado governor, and take part in the annual conference of the US National Guard Association, until 31 August.
LJUBLJANA - New US Ambassador Lynda C. Blanchard is to present her credentials to President Borut Pahor.
LJUBLJANA - The government is expected to convene the first regular session after summer break.
LJUBLJANA - The opening of the two-day Shanghai Fair to showcase Chinese companies in Slovenia.
KOPER - Logistics company Intereuropa is to release semi-annual financial results.
PTUJ - The new Ukrainian owners of poultry company Perutnina Ptuj will vote to squeeze out small shareholders at a shareholders' meeting.
GORNJA RADGONA - The International Agriculture and Food Fair AGRA will come to a close.
LJUBLJANA - Nights in Old Ljubljana Town, an international festival of music, will get under way, running until 31 August.
MARIBOR - Slovenian football champions Maribor will host Bulgaria's Ludogorets Razgrad for the return leg of the final round of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League.
FRIDAY, 30 August
BLED - The Young Bled Strategic Forum, the annual conference of young leaders accompanying the main part of Slovenia's prime foreign policy event, will get under way under the theme Youth as a (future) (re)source; until 2 September.
LJUBLJANA - The Statistics Office will release GDP data for second quarter, August inflation data and figures on tourist arrivals and nights for July.
LJUBLJANA - Shareholders of Telekom Slovenije will decide on allocation of distributable profit.
LJUBLJANA - Energy company Petrol is to release semi-annual financial results.
MEŽICA - Batteries maker Tab is to hold a press conference to report on its results in 2018 and 2019.
ČATEŽ OB SAVI - The shareholders of spa operator Terme Čatež will meet to decide on the sale of Marina Portorož, among other things.
SATURDAY, 31 August
BLED - A charity golf tournament of NHL star Anže Kopitar.
SUNDAY, 1 September
WARSAW, Poland - President Borut Pahor will take part in the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II, to be attended by more than 30 heads of state, including US President Donald Trump.
LJUBLJANA - An eternal flame will be lit at the monument commemorating Russian and Soviet soldiers fallen on Slovenian soil in both world wars.
RIBNICA - The annual fair of traditional wooden handicrafts, to be addressed by PM Marjan Šarec.
TRŽIČ - The annual Shoemakers' Fair.
Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.
Want to catch up on the news from last week? There's a summary of the main stories here
This summary is provided by the STA:
Šarec opens AGRA fair, says issues in agriculture solvable
GORNJA RADGONA - Gornja Radgona, 24 August - The International Agriculture and Food Fair AGRA opened in Gornja Radgona, with PM Marjan Šarec saying that the event was of exceptional importance for Slovenia. He said that the issues in agriculture were solvable, but not over night, adding that the sector must tackle new challenges. The opening was also addressed by European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan, who said that AGRA was a very important event, providing farmers with the opportunity to present their products. Running until 28 August and featuring 1,850 exhibitors from 32 countries, AGRA will focus on digitalisation, automation, new technology in farming and the agro-food sector.
SLS cancels wolf-related protest, Šarec calls them bluffers
GORNJA RADGONA - The non-parliamentary People's Party (SLS) cancelled its protest against wolf attacks on livestock, meant to be held on the margins of the AGRA fair, saying that it had gotten assurances from the government for its demands. SLS president Marjan Podobnik said that they had been given assurances from a high representative of the government. But PM Marjan Šarec was not convinced in the party's argument. He said that Podobnik's statement was "nonsense", and questioned the true reasons why the party has cancelled the protest. The prime minister said that he would not allow anyone to "crawl back into Slovenian politics" over the backs of farmers, the government and him personally, referring to Podobnik.
European Junior Olympiad in Informatics starts in Maribor
MARIBOR - The 3rd European Junior Olympiad in Informatics kicked off in Maribor with a special ceremony, while the actual competition featuring a total of 90 primary school children from 24 countries competing to win the title of the best programmers in Europe will start tomorrow. The competition at the University of Maribor's Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science will promote the importance of IT skills in early education as well as Slovenia and its second largest city. The event is organised by the Union for Technical Culture and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport.
Another medal for Slovenian pair at canoe sprint worlds
SZEGED, Hungary - The Slovenian pair of Špela Ponomarenko Janić and Anja Osterman won the bronze medal in the women's 500m event at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, which comes after Friday's silver in the 200m event. The medal for Ponomarenko Janić and Osterman means that the pair have earned a berth for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by virtue of finishing in the top six. This is their third medal together at world championships, coming after yesterday's silver in the 200m event and the bronze in the 500m event in Račice, the Czech Republic, in 2017.
Visiting Ljubljana? Check out what's on this week, while all our stories on Slovenia, from newest to oldest, are here
If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here
Tesla has announced on Twitter that buyers in Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovenia. The rear-wheel drive “standard range plus” with a “partial premium interior” costs €39,000, while the dual motor all-wheel drive “performance” model with a “premium interior” is €52,900. You can play with ordering a model here, and the estimated delivery time is early 2020.
Hint: starts with P and ends with oland, Hungary, Romania and Slovenia.
— Tesla (@Tesla) August 23, 2019
Model 3 orders are open today in ?? ?? ?? ??
STA, 24 August 2019 - The Slovenian pair of Špela Ponomarenko Janić and Anja Osterman won the bronze medal in the women's 500m event at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Hungary's Szeged on Saturday, which comes after Friday's silver in the 200m event.
The medal for Ponomarenko Janić and Osterman means that the pair have earned a berth for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by virtue of finishing in the top six.
The Slovenians made it to the finals after posting the fastest time in the semi-finals, but had to concede to the Belarusian and Polish pairs in the final, who finished first and second, respectively.
Ponomarenko Janić and Osterman finished 1.66 second behind the winning boat and 0.87 seconds behind the second-placed Poland.
This is their third medal together at world championships, coming after yesterday's silver in the 200m event and the bronze in the 500m event in Račice, the Czech Republic, in 2017.
For Ponomarenko Janić, the fourth placed canoeist in the women's individual 200m at the 2016 Rio Olympics, this is the sixth medal at world championships.
If you're not in town for the week of this guide (26 August to 1 September, 2019) then you can see all the editions here, and if there's event or activity you want to promote in a future edition of What's on in Ljubljana please get in touch with me at flanner(at)total-slovenia-news.com or try and find me on Facebook.
In town and want to follow the news? Check out our regular morning headlines for Slovenia here.
As ever, links to the basic listings are after the following selection, while a comprehensive PDF of events for the next seven days, as prepared by Ljubljana Tourism, is here.
It’s the last week of August, and cherry tree next to where I’m writing this is already losing leaves. It’s time to face the fact the summer’s almost over and the days of wearing certain outside will soon be over.
Kinodvor has already been up to the Castle, with Film Under the Stars, and now it comes down to Kongresni trg, bringing free classic movies that start at 21:00, with Slovene and English subtitles. Monday is Ninotchka, Tuesday Eléna et les Hommes, Wednesday Some Like It Hot, and Thursday Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
How (and why) to use Ljubljana’s milk vending machine
From Monday until Saturday (August 26 – 31) the 7th edition of Festival VIBRA will bring internationally acclaimed choreographers, dancers, teachers, and theoreticians to Ljubljana. There are lectures, workshops and performances, with something of interest to all fans of contemporary dance. Details here.
Tuesday Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals are playing Kino Šiška, but it’s already sold out.
Teatro regio Torino will being Verdi’s La Traviata to Cankerjev dom on August 28 and 29, Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday and Saturday FUKSi 2019 is in town. This is the Festival of Urban Culture Slovenia, which combines electronic music, design, fashion and socially useful events in Tobačna. Headliners are headlining: Royksopp, David Morales & Pure Oldies Goldies and Sladica with Dj Zed. Details here.
Friday and Saturday there’s a Belgian beer festival at Kino Šiška, starting at 15:00 and 16:00, respectively, with at least 50 differnt beers (details, in Slovene only).
That accordion player in Prešeren? He was playing on Dragon Bridge the other week, and maybe he's still there – details
Running until the end of the month there’s the Young Lions (Mladi levi) international theatre and dance festival – details here.
Here’s all our stories tagged Ljubljana, while all here’s all our stories tagged Piran
TrNOVfest is back for the whole month of August, with theatre and dance workshops, art exhibitions, Indian dances, literary and film evenings, stand-up comedy, graffiti workshops, DJ sessions and more, with food and craft beer to go along with music that ranges from jazz and acoustic to rock, metal, and trap. Tickets at €5, things happen at the Centre of Slavic Cultures France Prešeren, and details are here.
The Ljubljana Festival, which continues until 5 September and has a packed programme of world-class concert, opera, and ballet events – see more here. This Thursday you can hear Schubert, Schumann and Strauss being played by Alena Baeva on the violin and Vadim Kolodenko at the piano at the National Gallery; while on Friday Križanke will host Il Terzo Suono, a baroque ensemble playing Vivaldi, Tartini and Telemann on period instruments.
The Summer in Ljubljana Old Town goes on until 28 August. This presents classical concerts, many of which are free, in the churches, inner courtyards and squares in the old city centre. The programme is here. Running until 1 September is the Mini Theatre’s season for children and young people, with details here.
That said, if you're in town you really should visit Ljubljana Market - it's small, varied and offers fresh fruit, vegetables, local specialities, snacks and souvenirs, while being next to many other sights. Learn more about it here.
Photo: JL Flanner
Volčji Potok Arboretum (Volčji Potok 3) has a rose garden in bloom until 31 August, nature permitting.
I took a trip to the Botanical Garden a few week's ago, a short or cycle upriver from the centre. I know nothing about plants but I like them, took a camera and had a good time. All the outside part is free to enter, and there’s a small café with ice cream, coffee and beer.
JL Flanner
If you're learning Slovenian then you can find all our dual texts here
While the Old Town is quaint, and full of music, where does Ljubljana really shop? One popular answer is BTC City, a vast complex of malls, entertainment facilities and more, including more than 70 different food vendors, offering everything from Slovenian to Thai, Indian to Italian, Mexican to Chinese. Check out my recent visit here.
Looking for something different to eat? Trubajeva cesta, running right by Dragon Bridge, has the greatest concentration of "ethnic food" places in Ljubljana, and thus perhaps the country. Check out our walk through guide as of June 2019.
Photo: JL Flanner
Ljubljana is forecast to be the fastest-warming city in the world over the next few decades.
- Cinemas and films
- Clubbing
- Live music
- Theatre and dance
- Harm reduction and drug testing
- Things to do with children
- LGBT+ Ljubljana
- Ljubljana Castle
- Museums and galleries
- Other things to do in Ljubljana
- Daytrips
- Getting around
- Emergencies
Cinemas and films
You can read about all the cinemas in town here, while a selection of what’s playing this week is below, and note that kids' movies tend to be shown in dubbed versions, while non-English language movies for older viewers will have Slovenian subtitles.Parents should also pay attention to Kinobalon, which is Kinodvor's regular weekend series of film screenings and events for children, from babies on up, with special parent/child events, "first time in a cinema" screenings, and babysitting. Learn more about it here, and see the current schedule here.
Note - most children's films will be dubbed (sinhronizirano) - for subtitles look for 'podnapisi'
Good Boys is not a children’s film – don’t take the kids
Kinodvor –This is an arts cinema, not far from the train station, that shows new features as well as hosting the occassional festival.
Kinoteka – And not far from Kinodvor you can find this revival cinema, which shows art house classics along with some deep dives in the archives.
Kino Bežigrad - A relatively small theatre, but one which usually has the biggest of the new releases.
Kolosej -The multiplex out at BTC City Mall shows all the big movies, with well over a dozen titles on the schedule, although note that there are far more movies than screens, so some of the older ones mayonly be playing once or twice a week.
Komuna – The cinema in a basement behind Nama department store shows two or three different features a week, usually including the biggest titles.
Looking for a souvenir you'll really enjoy? Take a look at Broken Bones Gin, the first gin made in Ljubljana (learn more here, and try it at the Central Market or selected downtown bars).
Clubbing
Compared to some European capitals it can seem that nightlife in Ljubljana ends rather early, especially along the river, but there are still bars that stay open late and clubs were you can dance until dawn, and perhaps the best place to stumble across something interesting is the legendary Metelkova. Be aware it's a grungy kind of place and not for all tastes, but also that there's considerable variety to found within the various clubs there, from death metal to electropop, gay cabaret to art noise. You can read "the rules" of the place here. And if you're curious about how the place started then read our story, and look at some pictures, about last year's 25th anniversary.
Božidar - DJ events aren't too common here, but when they happen they often have a big name.
Channel Zero – DJs shows here include regular dub nights as well as electronic music.
Gala Hala – Another Metelkova venue, you can sometimes hear bhangra and Bollywood here, but more often funk, hip hop, breakbeat and so on.
Klub Cirkus – The more commercial end of clubland, and a venue that aims to serve the student party scene. Expect house, anthems, and bangers.
Klub K4 – The home of techno, old and new, along with various other electronic genres,
Koncertna Dvorana Rog– There are irregular DJ sets at this underground (not literally) venue at the far end of Trubarjeva cesta, and they range from techno to goa to drum'n'bass.
Orto Bar– 80s and 90s throwback nights can often be found here, along with rock-based DJ sets.
Live music
Balassi Institute – Free Hungarian music, when available, from the Hungarian cultural institute just a short walk downriver from Dragon Bridge.
Cankerjev dom – The main arts venue in the country hosts classical, opera jazz, folk and occassinally pop.
Cvetličarna – Regional pop and rock concerts can be found here.
Channel Zero – This Metelkova venue sees live shows from punk and rock bands, as well as others.
Gala Hala – Another Metelkova venue with indie bands of various styles.
Kino Šiška – One of the top live venues in the city, with a varied programme that include indie, rock, pop, experimental, hip hop, and so on.
Klub Gromka – Live music is often metal, from sludge to stoner, death to thrash, while punk bands also appear, as do others.
Križanke – The venue that hosts the Ljubljana Festival often has classical music, and some rock, in the open air.
Ljubljana Castle – Jazz, funk and pop every Friday night.
Orto Bar– The home of live rock, metal, punk and other guitar-based genres.
Pinelina dnevna soba – LIve music is rare here, but it does happen.
Slovenska filharmonija– Classical music in the centre of town.
SNG Opera and Ballet - As the name suggests, here you'll find the best of opera and ballet in the country.
Španski borci - While dance is more common here, they also have some contemporary and experimental music shows.
See more pictures of Old Ljubljana here
Theatre and dance
Cankerjev dom- The main arts venue in the country always has something of interest going on.
Gledališče IGLU - IGLU Theatre – Saturday night this group is usually putting on an English improv show somewhere in town, but it’s generally promoted after this is written, so check the Facebook before putting on your shoes.
Kino Šiška – One of the top live venues in the city also hosts some dance performance, often of the more experimental variety.
Mini Teater Ljubljana –The English schedule of varied performances, for adults and children, for the month is here.
Ljubljana Puppet Theatre - Puppetry has a long and noble tradition in Slovenia, and you can see performances for children and adults (including non-puppet shows) drawing from the Theatre's rich repetoire as well as new productons.
SNG Opera and Ballet - As the name suggests, here you'll find the best of opera and ballet in the country.
Španski borci - The home ofcontemporary dance(and the EnKnapGroup) in Slovenia.
Pocket Teater Studio– There are regular flamenco evenings at perhaps the smallest venue town, but note that the number of seats is very limited, and thus you should make a reservation via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 070 325 522.
Harm reduction and drug testing
Drogart is an organization that aims to minimise harm on the party scene, and offers drug-testing services and reports on their webpage. It’s in Slovene, but you can Google translate it or work things out yourself, and our story on the group is here.You can find the latest warnings on fake drugs and high strength pills and powders (in Slovene) here. However, be aware that all the usual drugs are illegal in Slovenia.CBD is legal, though, and our retailer of choice can be found on Trubarjeva cesta - read more about Sena Flora here.
Photo: Igor Andjelič. See more of his work here
Things to do with children
You can find our Top 12 list of things to do with kids in Ljubljana here. If want to read more about the philosophy behind the wonderful House of Experiments look here, while our trip to the Museum of Illusions is documented here, and there’s always riverside walks, pizza and ice cream. With regard to the latter, take a look at our guide to six places that serve good ice cream in winter, and thus are serious about the dessert.
Mini Teater Ljubljana – The season sees a lot of puppet performances for children, in Slovene, at this theatre not far from Križanke. The English schedule for the month is here.
Ljubljana Puppet Theatre - The puppet theatre near the Central Market and next to the Castle funicular has a full programme or shows, for children and adults, with the schedule here.
Vice meets Žižek in Ljubljana. If you want to see more of the most successful writer who lives in Ljubljana, click here
LGBT+ Ljubljana
If you're looking for more general links on "gay Slovenia", including a history of the scene and various projects, then you can find that here, while our stories about the community can be found here.
Klub Monokel – This lesbian bar in Metelkova is open every Friday, although sometimes there are other events
Klub Tiffany –And the gay bar next door is also open on Fridays. Other things coulds also be planned, so click on the name to find out.
Pritličje – This seems to be the only "always open" LGBT-friendly cafe / bar / events space in town, and perhaps the country, so it's a good thing it's such a good one, open from morning to night, and with fliers and posters letting you know what's happening outside the narrow confines of, say, a general interest online what's on... guide.
Screenshot from Google Maps, showing the location of the Castle vineyard
Ljubljana Castle
The city’s main attraction is said to be the top tourist draw in the country overall, and to my mind it earns a spot near the top just for the history and views. But beyond that the current owners, the City of Ljubljana, have laid out a varied, interesting and enjoyable programme of events, one that rewards regular revisits. On until 17 November Mighty Guardians of the Past: Castles in the Slovenian Lands, a presentation that delivers on the promise of its title.
I try and get up there every Saturday morning to clear my head and move my feet on the trails, and never tire of that end of the hill. At the other end, where the Castle sits, there’s a lot more than fresh air on offer. There are guided tours, restaurants, a café, Castle museum, puppet museum, a Watchtower you can climb to the highest point in the city, art shows, dances, live music, movies under the stars, festival days and more – enough to reward multiple trips up the hill through the year. All of these activities and events can be found on the Castle website, while on TSN you can see “25 things to know about Ljubljana Castle” here, and “Ten Ways to Enjoy Ljubljana Castle” here.
Museums and galleries
Most public galleries and museums are closed on Mondays, although not the National Museum.
Looking to buy some high end, big name local art from a trusted gallery? Check out our look at Sloart.
Cankerjev dom – On until 3 March 2020 there's an exhibition on Ancient Greek Science and Technology. Details here.
Plečnik's desk. Photo: JL Flanner
Plečnik’s House is worth a visit if you want to learn more about the architect who gave Ljubljana much of its character, and it's also in a really nice part of town, Trnovo, just a short walk or cycle upriver. Read about our guided tour here.
Balassi Institute – The Hungarian culture centre is next to a Spar and Hofer, and not far from Dragon Bridge, and always has something interesting going on. Learn more here.
City Museum – The Museum in French Revolution Square an interesting permanent exhibition on the history of Ljubljana, from prehistoric times to the present day, with many artefacts, models and so on that bring the story alive.You can read about my visit here. On until 25 September is Treasures from Russian Museums, an exhibition showcasing more than 80 Russian icons from leading Russian museums. Also on until 15 September can see the results of the archaeological research of Gosposvetska cesta, Slovenska cesta, Prešernova cesta, Erjavčeva cesta, Tribuna, Križanke, Dalmatinova ulica, Vegova ulica (KGBL) and the area of the University of Ljubljana. Especially interesting for those who know the city.
The Faces of Ljubljana in the City Museum. Photo: JL Flanner
International Centre of Graphic Art – The 33rd Biennial of Graphic Arts runs until 29 September. It's called Crack Up – Crack Down, and is curated by the collective Slavs and Tartars, with a focus satire and the graphic arts. Learn more here.
Jakopič Gallery – Until 29 September you can see the photographs of Lucien Hervé in a show called Geometry of Light
Ljubljana Castle on until 17 November Mighty Guardians of the Past: Castles in the Slovenian Lands, a presentation that delivers on the promise of its title. There's also the Parallel Worlds of Alan Hranitelj runs on until September 8, showing the work of the acclaimed costume designer. Until 15 September you can see Jelka Reichman’s illustrations from the picture book Twelve Elephants, written by Leopold Suhodolčan (free admission).
MAO – The Museum of Architecture and Design has much of what you'd expect, along with some temporary shows and a good cafe. On until 19 September is a show called Creators, on contemporary Slovenian fashion and textile design, which is being promoted with the following image.
Photo: Urša Premik
Moderna galerija – The main branch of this gallery, to be found near the entrance to Tivoli Park, has a good collection of modern art, as well a nice café in the basement. Opening Thursday, April 25th, 20:00, The Visual Arts in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, 1929–1941, which then runs until September 15th 2019. This offers “an overview of painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, photography, and film from the time the king's dictatorship was set up (6 January 1929) to the beginning of World War II on Yugoslav soil (April 1941)” - you can read more about it here. The museum's Metelkova branch also has a big new show, runing until at least September 2019, an the art of the Non-Aligned Movement, with an example shown below. Until September 15 you can also enjoy Maja Hodošček, a video artist you “explores social relations through the politics of exchange and collaboration; in particular, she is interested in speculative models of representation in relation to the documentary.”
Rafikun Nabi: Poet, 1980, print, 96.5 x 110 cm. Courtesy of the Contemporary Art Center of Montenegro. On display at the Metelova branch of the Moderna galerija
Alan Ford at the National Gallery
National Gallery – The country’s main gallery has “the best” of what’s on offer from the Middle Ages to non-contemporary modern visual arts, and is in a great location for exploring other areas, just by Tivoli Park and opposite the main branch of the Moderna galerija. You can read about our visit to the room containing sacred art from the Middle Ages here. The Space Within the Space: Scenography in Slovenia before 1991 will provide a comprehensive historic, stylistic, visual and theatrical overview of Slovenian scenography until 8 September. There’s also a big show on Alan Ford, one of the great comic books of the Yugoslav era, on until 13 October.
JL Flanner
The real Robba Fountain can be found in the entrance to the National Gallery - the one you see in the Old Town is a genuine fake, as seen below and reported here.
Photo: JL Flanner
National Museum of Slovenia – There’s plenty to see in the permanent collection here, from Roman times, Egypt and more. Running until 3 November is Roma Aeterna: Masterpieces of Classical Sculpture. With sculptures from the collection of the Santarelli family in Rome, ranging from the age of the Roman Empire to that of neoclassicism. Meanwhile, the museum's Metelkova branch, located between one branch of the Moderna galerija and the Ethnographic Museum has some rooms on Church art, furniture and weapons, with the latter including more guns than you'll see anywhere else in town, and quite a thrill if coming from a nation where such objects are not household items.
Natural History Museum – On until the end of December 2019 is Our Little Big Sea, which takes a look at the oceans.
Roma Aeterna: Masterpieces of Classical Sculpture - see below
National Museum of Contemporary History - Tucked away in park Tivoli, in addition to its permanent collection and until 29 September there also a retrospective on the photographer Edi Šelhaus, which is being promoted with the following image.
Photo: Edi Šelhaus
Slovene Ethnographic Museum – The museum has two permanent exhibitions. One of these is called Between Nature and Culture, and has a great collection of objects from Slovenia and around the world, well worth the trip up to the third floor to see it (as recounted here). From April 18 until October 19 (2019) you can also see a show calledShamanism of the Peoples of Siberia, from the Russian Museum of Ethnography, Saint Petersburg. The place is located near the newer branch of the Moderna galerija and Metelkova. You can read about this fascinating show here. On until September 15 is Petra Šink: The circle between design and nature, in which the award-winning designer takes visitors through the life cycle of useful products for the home which are made from natural biodegradable fungal materials.
Union is "the Ljubljana beer", but now both it and Laško are owned by Heineken. There are many local brews on offer around town, though, if you want to explore IPAs, stouts, wheatbeers, sours and so on Photo: JL Flanner
Union Experience – The Ljubljana-based brewer has a museum showing the history of the company, with the ticket also including access to part of the factory and a few samples of the product. You can read about our visit here.
Vžigalica Gallery – If you’re curious about the man who commissioned that Melania Trump sculpture, then you can see more of activities here, in a show called Brad Downey: This Echo.
Volčji Potok Arboretum - Running until 3 November you can see a large collection of cacti here.
It's not a formal museum, but if you're interested in "Yugo-stalgia" then you'll enjoy a trip to Verba, a small, privately run space that's crammed with objects and pop culture items from the era, and is conveniently located at the start of one of the short walks to the castle. It's also a great place to take pictures, if you leave a donation, and you can read more about it here.
Verba. Photo: JL Flanner
Alternative Ljubljana isn't a museum or gallery, as such, but instead turns the city streets into a museum and gallery. Learn more about their tours of street art, history and LGBT Ljubljana here.
Photo: JL Flanner
Other things to do in Ljubljana
Learn more about Ljubljana with "25 things to know about Slovenia's green city of dragons", or take a look at our guide to spending from four to 48 hours here.
If you like the city's architecture then check out this great book, Let’s See the City - Ljubljana: Architectural Walks & Tours, with our review here and a page from the book shown above. We took a walk with one of the authors who showed us how much there is to learn and enjoy if you slow down and pay attention - read about that here.
Open Kitchen brings market stalls selling food and drink from some of the best restaurants in town every Friday, from 11am to 11pm, in the square between the cathedral and the river - just follow your nose and the crowds. Read more about it here.
Photo: Open Kitchen
Ljubljana has some beautiful buildings from the early 20th century, in the Secessionist style, like the one below. Learn where to find them here.
Photo: Neža Loštrek
For something a little more brual, check out Republika trg / Republic Square, in the heart of the political quarter.
Photo: JL Flanner
Photo: JL Flanner
Some view of the city you can only get from the river. If you'd like to take a boat ride then read about my experience here. If you prefer to get in the water rather than on it, then here's a guide to the various open air pools in Ljubljana. Note that it was written last year and so the prices and times may have changed, so do click the links and check.
If you'd like to spend an evening painting with others, then take a look at Design with Wine, which organises painting parties on Trubarjeva cesta,
If you want to see some antiques, then check out the wonderful Antika Carniola, as discussed here. The man behind it, Jaka Prijatelj, has a fine eye for life on this street, as you can see on his Facebook account.
Photo: JL Flanner
If you’re in town and want to go jogging or walking in nature, why not take another look at the Castle, with a brief guide to the trails here. If you want something bigger, head to Tivoli Park.
And if you're bored with the Old Town, why not take a walk, cycle or boat ride to nearby Špica and enjoy the riverside life. Learn more about that here.
visitljubjana.si
Want to stretch and breath? Then check out our list of drop-in yoga classes for tourists, visitors and the uncommitted. We go to Nataraja Studio, by Dragon Bridge, and here's a story about it.
Prefer to have someone else stretch you? The check out the totally legit massages you can get from Sense Wellness - either in one of their spas or in you home, office or hotel. (And - to repeat - these are legit and non-sexual in nature)
There are some golf courses near Ljubljana, but even ones further away are not far, as seen in our list of all the golf courses in Slovenia.
Photo: maxpixel.net, public domain
Daytrips
Most of Slovenia is only a few hours from Ljubljana, and you can easily visit Lake Bled, Lipica Stud Farm, Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle, the coast and other locations, while if you'd like to take a photo of from that bench in Bled, then you can learn how to get there here. If you’re looking for something more ambitious, then check out our recent guide to the 17 members of the Association of Historical Towns of Slovenia. We've also written guides on spending from four to 48 hours in Bled and Piran.
Photo: Google Image Search
Getting around
If you want to get a Ljubljana Tourist Card, which gives you travel on the city buses and entry to a lot of attractions, then you can read more about that here, and if you want to use the bike share system, as useful for visitors as it is for residents, then you can learn more by clicking this. Visitors with reduced mobility will be pleased to find that downtown Ljubljana is generally rated as good with regard to accessibility, and that there’s a free, city-sponsored app called Ljubljana by Wheelchair highlighting cafés, attractions and so on with ramps, disabled bathrooms and Eurokey facilities, which you can read about and download here. Manual wheelchair users can also borrow, for free, an attachment that will motorise their equipment, as reported here.
Screenshot from a Twitter video
If you’re driving into town and don’t know where to park, our guide to how to park in Ljubljana is here.
Emergencies
Ljubljana is a small and relatively safe city, but if need to contact the police then there’s a special number for foreigners, and that’s 113.
Photo: JL Flanner
There aren't many places to eat after midnight, and most of them are by the train station, as reported here.
Want / need cigarettes but the stores have closed? Here's an incomplete list of bars downtown that will satisfy your craving for the demon weed. While if you’re having trouble with the ATMs then here’s a guide to the Slovene you’ll see on screen. If you get a hangover then find out where to get paracetamol (and prescription drugs) in Ljubljana here, while details on emergency birth control can be found here.
