This year, the Železničarsko Cultural and Artistic Society Tine Rožanc proudly celebrates its 105th anniversary. Over the past century, the society has been home to numerous sections and groups, each contributing to the rich and diverse landscape of amateur culture. Today, this legacy continues through the ongoing activities of the Folklore Group ŽKUD Tine Rožanc, the music group Katanija, the vocal group Rožanski fantiči, the choral section, and the Klapa Lavanda.

As part of this milestone anniversary, the society presents a special concert, shaped by members of its folklore section—young Slovenian choreographers, musicians, and costume designers—under the artistic direction of Gašper Toman, Nejc Panjan, and Nina Mažgon Müller.

For this occasion, the creative team has drawn inspiration from Slovenia’s rich literary and dance heritage, weaving together the diverse artistic expressions of ŽKUD Tine Rožanc through the symbolic journey of three rivers—Drava, Sava, and Soča. The story unfolds through a quarrel between three sisters, taking the audience on a journey across Slovenia, Croatia’s Podravina, and Serbia’s Posavina, leading to a final reconciliation at the sea.

ŽKUD Tine Rožanc is known for its innovative and visionary artists, who continuously seek new artistic expressions while honoring the society’s traditions on stages both large and small, in Slovenia and beyond. The concert will bring together more than 100 performers from different generations, all of whom have left—and will continue to leave—a lasting mark on the world of amateur culture through their vibrant dance and musical performances.

The concert tour of the Stanisław Hadyna Śląsk Ensemble, held as part of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, presents an opportunity to promote Polish culture and traditions while distinguishing Poland on the international stage and among EU member states. The tour includes performances in Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and France.

Śląsk Ensemble aims to bring the beauty of Polish national culture and patriotic traditions closer to audiences, highlighting them as an essential part of Poland’s heritage. The rich concert program will feature the ensemble’s most beautiful and well-known repertoire, showcasing a vibrant and dynamic panorama of folklore from various regions of Poland.

With a cast of over 100 artists, including a choir, ballet, and orchestra, the ensemble delivers performances of the highest caliber, supported by experts in cultural studies. This dedication to excellence has earned Śląsk international recognition, numerous awards, and honorary diplomas. The ensemble has performed in 44 countries across five continents, captivating more than 26 million spectators in over 8,000 concerts.

Each performance is a unique spectacle, offering an unforgettable experience.

As part of its theoretical-humanist focus, the Fabula Festival is hosting Francis Fukuyama, one of the most influential contemporary political thinkers. Fukuyama, author of the groundbreaking work The End of History and the Last Man, proposing his controversial thesis on the ideological culmination of liberal democracy at the end of the Cold War, continues to be a seminal voice in debates on the future of global politics, democracy and its challenges.

The event is dedicated to his latest book, Liberalism and Its Discontents (2022), on this occasion published in Slovenian translation. In the book, Fukuyama argues in favour of classical liberalism as a system that enables pluralism, respects basic human dignity and boosts economic progress, while analysing the threats from the left and the right. He is critical of neoliberalism and stresses the need for regulation with a view to limiting the power of corporations and improving social welfare. At the same time, he touches on the negative effects of the digital age, in which online platforms manipulate public opinion, spread misinformation and undermine democratic debate.

In Ljubljana, Fukuyama will address current political and social issues, including the challenges of liberalism at a time of rising populism, identity politics and the technological changes shaping the modern world. His theses will provide insights into the crucial issues of our time: Which direction is liberal democracy taking, and Can it survive a host of internal and external pressures?

Francis Fukuyama (1952), US political scientist, writer and professor at Stanford University, received his PhD from Harvard University. He is known for his influential thesis on the end of history, which has impacted global debates on politics, identity and the future of democratic systems. Among his most important works are Liberalism and Its Discontents, Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution and Trust: Social Virtues and the Creation of Prosperity, Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment. His influence goes beyond academia, as his analyses form an important part of the wider discourse on the future of political and social systems.

The talk will be hosted by Rudi Rizman.

The event will be held in English, with simultaneous translation into Slovenian.

Screenplay: Urška Djukić, Maria Bohr 
Cinematography: Lev Predan Kowarski 
Editing: Vlado Gojun 
Cast: Jara Sofija Ostan, Mina Švajger, Saša Tabaković, Nataša Burger, Staša Popović, Mateja Strle, Saša Pavček 
Production: SPOK films, Staragara (Jožko Rutar, Miha Černec) 

Urška Djukić’s debut feature film Kaj ti je deklica premiered in Berlinale’s Perspectives Competition this February. Perspectives, Berlinale’s a new international competitive strand for fiction feature debuts, shines a spotlight on new filmmakers. The features represent an international range of voices who have a bold and fluent cinematic language and offer arresting perspectives and new ways of seeing the world.

The film focuses on introverted 16-year-old Lucia, who joins her Catholic school’s all-girl choir, where she befriends Ana-Maria, a popular and flirty third-year student. But when the choir travels to a countryside convent for a weekend of intensive rehearsals, Lucia’s interest in a dark-eyed restoration worker tests her friendship with Ana-Maria and the other girls. As she navigates unfamiliar surroundings and her budding sexuality, Lucia begins to question her beliefs and values, disrupting the harmony within the choir.
 

The film is co-produced by Staragara IT (Italy), 365 Films (Croatia), Non-Aligned Films (Serbia), and Nosorogi and OINK (both Slovenia). The associate producer is Sister Production (France).

The film is supported by the Slovenian Film Centre, Eurimages, RTV Slovenija, Viba Film, Ministero di Cultura – Direzione Cinema e Audiovisivo in Italy, FVG Flm Fund, FVG Film Commission, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Film Centre Serbia, RE-ACT Joint Development Fund, Region Nouvelle Aquitaine and Creative Europe MEDIA. The film is sponsored by Arri’s International Support Program and GO Nova Gorica/Gorizia European Capital of Culture 2025.

Urška Djukić – filmography (selection)
Dober tek, življenje! (2016, kratki), Lovka (2019, kratki), The Right One (2019, kratki), Babičino seksualno življenje (2021) 

Those who come to Ajeet’s concerts can expect moments of all encompassing calm, an experience of music as a mode of ritual and connection, and exuberant realms of celebration and release. The audience often feels like it moves and breathes as one with the music, traveling through meditative spaces, inner realms, and then rising together into dance and rhythm. The experience of Ajeet and her band is layered and moves through many rich colours like a dream or ceremony. The intention of Ajeet’s music is healing and connection; a collective and interwoven experience more than a performance. 

The band draws elements of Latin and African percussion from Spanish-born Raffa Martinez together with influences and instrumentation from Ireland. Aisling Urwin, born and raised in Co. Kerry, Ireland, guides one into otherworldly realms on the Irish harp while Ajeet dances through her intricate soundscape with deep and rich percussion on her Bodhrán and playful breathy strokes of melody with the low whistle. Ajeet’s integral love of folk traditions has lead her to study traditional song and instrumentation in India, Central and South America, and her own ancestral land and home country of Ireland. These deep rooted traditional influences weave with her own unique softness to offer an unexpected and transporting musical dream for the listener.

S pisateljem Dragom Jančarjem se bo o romanu In ljubezen tudi pogovarjal urednik knjige Mitja Čander.

Running time: The performance lasts approximately 1 hour 

Prometheus, the Titan and Greek god of fire, the creator of man from clay, brought fire to humanity, having stolen it from the gods on Mount Olympus. After punishing humans by taking away light and warmth, Zeus condemned Prometheus to eternal torment for his boldness in defying divine authority. Bound to a rock, an eagle would eat his liver each day, which in ancient Greece was seen as the seat of emotions, only for it to grow back each night. In his fury towards Prometheus and humanity, Zeus created Pandora, a beautiful but cunning woman, whom he sent to Earth to marry Prometheus's brother, Epimetheus. Zeus gifted her a mysterious box, which her curious husband persuaded her to open, unleashing pain, illness, hatred, envy, and other malevolent forces into the world. Pandora, frightened, quickly closed the lid, but the evil had already escaped, leaving only hope inside.
The people on Earth were thus condemned, like Prometheus, to eternal suffering with little hope.

Due to his noble selflessness and bravery in opposing divine power, Prometheus became a representative figure of enlightenment, rich in symbolism, and an inspiration for many humanists, artists, and scientists. At the same time, he embodies the defilement of divine order, representational of the risks of excess or unintended consequences, as his efforts can also lead to tragedy. Modern-day Prometheans may bring progress to humanity, but such advancements often carry a dual effect, which can be destructive.
Prometheus and Pandora embody two sides of the same coin: good and evil, entry and exit points of humanity. In this performance, choreographers Michal Rynia and Nastja Bremec Rynia, along with the international dance ensemble MN Dance Company, will explore these entry points of human progress, freedom, and development, as well as the exit points of human woes, misfortune, and despair as consequences of reckless and audacious actions.
 

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana (UL FE), under new leadership, has decided to introduce a central annual event featuring prominent representatives from companies, professional associations, and the research sector. The business event, Symphony of Electrical Engineering+, aims to highlight the multifaceted significance and contributions of engineering, particularly electrical engineering, in all its spectrum of activities, in harmony with numerous stakeholders in sustainable development.

This year’s meeting will take place on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in the Linhart Hall of Cankarjev dom, starting at 6:00 PM. The event will focus on the challenges, opportunities, and future of using artificial intelligence in education, research, development, and industry.

We will hear from esteemed business leaders about their experiences with the importance of engineering in general and the broad scope of electrical engineering that this strategically important field covers.

The introductory part will feature a protocol panel discussion between the Dean of FE as the moderator and the interlocutors.

The technical part of the event will consist of a roundtable on the topic of artificial intelligence, led by Prof. Dr. Vito Štruc, along with his interlocutors, who are experts in their field and will discuss the use and challenges of artificial intelligence in industry.

The event will begin with a minute's silence as a mark of respect and remembrance for the tragically deceased miners.

Neuštekani (Unplugged)  is a project long conceived by Sejo Sexon, who, as he says, wants to “right a wrong and perform live songs, many of which will see the stage for the first time.”

Neuštekani offers Zabranjeno pušenje in an unplugged version, with acoustic instruments, in a more intimate setting. Alongside previously undiscovered musical repertoire, you will also hear short stories and anecdotes related to their creation and birth, which are not included in the book Spomnim se, kao da je bilo danas (I remember that like it happened today).

Neuštekani aim to become the heroes of Zabranjeno pušenje fans, who have long wondered: Why do we never hear great songs like Pismo Elvisu, Laku noć stari, Arizona Dream, or Kad darnek utihne... In forty years of performing, the band has repeatedly proven themselves with provocative and unique lyrics in a rock-punk-garage style, earning a place in the hearts of their audience. In addition to their music, Sejo's stories and audience interaction have become an indispensable part of every performance.

Neuštekani are coming at the right time. The concert is one of three special events to take place in Sarajevo, Ljubljana, and Zagreb.
Before the concert, there will be a screening of the internationally acclaimed documentary Svjetla Sarajeva, which presents the fifty-year history of Skenderija, the famous Sarajevo hall, from the perspective of Sejo Sexon, the lead member of Zabranjeno pušenje, directed by Srđan Perkić and written by Sejo Sexon.

After last year’s performance, Dear Me, which delved into the emotions and experiences of the dancers’ lives, this year the Be Funky Dance Association turns its focus to joy, happiness, and life’s true bliss in its production.

In today’s chaotic world, we are searching for ourselves. We drift away from our true essence. We live outside ourselves, striving daily to reach that Promised Land. We follow, chasing external achievements that feed our egos and give us a sense of success and importance. But then, we just want more each time. The path to the Promised Land and the journey toward pure, sincere happiness are sought outside ourselves. And life passes us by.

Who still truly lives as themselves?
Who still dances for their soul, simply because they feel the dance with all their heart?
Who still loves sincerely?
Who truly feels genuine joy in every moment of life?
Do we only experience all this once we’ve achieved everything promised?
Where is this Promised Land?

In the performance Promised Land, 180 dancers, aged 3 to 85, will offer the audience answers to these questions. They will embark on an enchanting journey of dancing through stories from the book Promised Land. An hour of dance will be filled with emotions and, above all, a search for life’s joy and happiness in a world that, in these times, clouds our vision of clarity.