Mankica Kranjec doesn’t have to think long about what is special about the “Ana Desetnica” festival: “The jugglers, tightrope walkers, fire-eaters, musicians, magicians and circus artists offer a great show, each in their own way. That’s how I feel when I sit on the sidewalk and watch the free performances in awe, sometimes like a child being sucked into a fantasy world.” It’s not as if street theater is the only cultural point of contact for the 36-year-old – on the contrary: As a fun-loving photographer, city guide and artist, she sees a lot, especially since she lives in the lively Prule district in the center of Ljubljana. And yet every year Kranjec is enthusiastic about the many original bands from home and abroad as well as the creative performances. “The artists fill even inconspicuous corners with life and attract people who normally don’t attend cultural events.”
The concept works. “Ana Desetnica” has been firmly anchored in the city’s event calendar for a quarter of a century. “In the anniversary year 2022, the focus is unchanged, but perhaps more important than ever,” says Leja Fortner from the organization team, “namely: inviting people to meet casually, without restrictions and to encourage them to participate for a short time and bring them together as a community .” Bringing them together again, one would like to say in Corona times. In any case, the motto of the festival, which takes place from June 25th to July 3rd, this year is: “Back in touch”.
Festivals for spontaneous people
Slovenia’s charming capital, which is one of the smallest in Europe with around 300,000 inhabitants, wants to attract more and more visitors again with a number of other festivals. The international festival “Lighting Guerrilla”, which is dedicated to the production and presentation of works of contemporary visual and new media art, runs until June 18th. Above all through the medium of light. Kranjec enthuses: “When art galleries, small squares, tiny alleys and other urban areas become the stage for illuminated objects and light installations, it gives the city a whole new shine.” The “Jazz Festival Ljubljana” can call itself the oldest jazz festival on the continent, in 2022 it will take place for the 63rd time. Incidentally, the date June 15th to 18th coincides with the world cycling summit “Velo City”, to which more than 1400 participants are expected.
Whereby the (rental) bike in Ljubljana, as Ljubljana was called among the Habsburgs who had been present for centuries, is generally a great idea for getting around when you can get away from strolling in the nightlife and strolling district between Preserenplatz, the sublime, around 900-year-old castle and the von Weiden and River Ljubljanica surrounded by other trees has had enough. Not only many of the approximately 50,000 students see it that way, but also many (short) vacationers. After all, not only is the cycle path network constantly being expanded, but also the range of Bicikelj rental stations. In any case, Kranjec can only recommend the bike, if only because of the many parks and green spaces – in 2016 Ljubljana was officially awarded the title “European Green Capital” by the EU.
Kranjec’s favorite destination? “My favorite thing to do is ride my green and orange bike to Plecnik’s lock gate. Just a stone’s throw from the center, there is a perfect place to soak up some sun on a bench in front of the wonderfully playful lock and listen to the sound of the river .”
Info: Arriving by train is best via Vienna and Villach. slovenia.info, visitljubljana.com/en
Source: Nachrichten
