European Days of Jewish Culture in Ljubljana & First Jewish Culture Festival in Ljubljana

We are delighted to welcome you to the first Jewish Culture Festival in Ljubljana, a three-day celebration of Jewish heritage, history, and creativity at the heart of the city. From concerts and lectures to guided walks, storytelling, and delicious food, the festival offers something for everyone – bringing Jewish culture closer to all generations.

Friday, September 5
The festival opens at 8:00 PM with a concert by the exceptional Ladino singer Nanni Vazzana, whose evocative voice transports audiences into the world of Sephardic poetry and melodies.

Saturday, September 6
The day is dedicated to learning and exploring:

• Morning and afternoon lectures on the history of Jews in Ljubljana and Slovenia

• Guided walks along the Stolpersteine (stumbling stones), brass plaques commemorating victims of Nazism

• A visit to the Jewish Museum of Ljubljana

• An evening klezmer concert at 8:00 PM with Kontra Quartet, delivering an explosive and moving interpretation of traditional klezmer music

Sunday, September 7
The morning program is dedicated to children and storytelling lovers:

• Puppet show “The Little Vampire Goes to School” – a playful tale of difference and acceptance

• Stories of Ljubljana’s Jewish families and Holocaust survivors, shared through intimate puppet and storytelling performances

The festival closes on Sunday evening with the theater performance “Tales from Odessa / The Story of My Pigeon Loft” – a touching and humorous reflection on life, identity, and memory.

Throughout the festival, visitors can enjoy Jewish-inspired food, social gatherings, and a cultural program that connects the past, present, and future of Jewish life in Ljubljana.

Join us in celebrating Jewish culture in the heart of Ljubljana!

Admission to all events is free. Full program will be available at: www.jewishcenterljubljana.com

The festival is led by the Jewish Cultural Center Ljubljana in partnership with the Department of Culture of the City of Ljubljana and is supported by Turizem Ljubljana, EUPJ (European Union for Progressive Judaism) and the Department of Culture of the City of Ljubljana.

The event is part of the Cities Embracing Jewish Heritage initiative supported by the Combat Antisemitism Movement and the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage