38thNIGHTS IN LJUBLJANA OLD TOWN International Festival
The summer season of Imago Sloveniae will traditionally reach it’s finale on August 21st and 22nd by the 38th Nights in Ljubljana Old Town International Festival – the most popular street festival of ethno and jazz music in the capital, which this year will offer an insight into polyphony.
The events will take place at Novi and Gornji trg, at the City Museum and Atrium ZRC, while post-festival concerts for the youngest (and also those a little older) will be held at the Ljubljana ZOO for the fourth year in a row.
Nights in Ljubljana Old Town will once again offer a high-quality and diverse international program. 11 events will take place at 7 venues, carefully placed in the magical summer ambiance of the old city center, featuring more than 50 artists from Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Chile.
As tradition dictates, the events will be free for visitors, as one of the main guidelines of the Imago Sloveniae Foundation is to bring quality cultural content closer to the widest possible circle of Ljubljana residents and visitors.
In case of rain, concerts from outdoor venues will be moved to the City Museum and Atrium ZRC.
You are cordially invited!
FESTIVAL PROGRAM 21st–22nd August 2026
Friday, 21st August
Gornji trg (in case of rain Atrij ZRC)
20.00 KATJA ŠULC: Čudežna resničnost (Slovenia, Chile)
Katja Šulc, vocals, ukulele, electronics
Marino Kranjac, vocals, dulcimer, mandolin, friction drum
Andraž Mazi, charango, banjo, pedal steel guitar
Felipe Echavarria, vocals, guitar
Sound immersion into the magic of old folk songs from the Istrian and Karst landscapes.
21.30 SLAV’KA (Slovenia)
Zvezdana Novaković ZveN, band leader, music, lead volcals
Jerneja Čerenak, backing vocals
Tjaša Mesinger, backing vocals
Tilen Stepišnik, guitar
Dejan Hudoklin, bass guitar
Žiga Šercer, drums
Genre-defying music collective, forging a new sonic language between Slavic tradition and contemporary urban culture.
Saturday, 22nd August
Gornji trg (in case of rain City Museum)
20.00 JADRANKA JURAS JAZZ KVINTET: Dva črna vrana (Slovenia)
Jadranka Juras, vocals
Milan Stanisavljević, piano
Aleš Suša, saxophone
Nikola Matošić, double bass
Gašper Bertoncelj, drums
Accompanied by her jazz band, the renowned Slovenian singer presents music from her new CD.
21.30 THE ALBANIAN MUSIC EXPERIMENT (Slovenia, Croatia)
Alma Bejtullahu, vocals
Vasko Atanasovski, saxophone
Zoran Majstorović, guitar
A premiere presentation of innovatively and playfully processed Albanian musical tradition interpreted by the eclectic trio.
In collaboration with: Kulturno društvo Albancev Migjeni
Novi trg (in case of rain Atrij ZRC)
19.30 NIKA PRUSNIK IN BRATJE POLJANEC (Slovenia)
Nika Prusnik, vocals, lyrics, melodies
Nejc Poljanec, vocals, accordeon
Jon Poljanec, vocals, double bass
Luka Poljanec, vocals, percussion
Mythopoetic folk, deeply rooted in nature and archetypal allegories, enriched with polyphonic singing.
20.45 NAPFONAT (Hungary)
Krisztina Farkas, vocals, cajon, tarabuka, frame drum
Henrietta Szalay, vocals, percussion, frame drum
Anita Szarka, vocals, cajon
Eszter Tóth, vocals, frame drum, tarabuka
Orsolya Tóth, vocals, frame drum
Magnetic sound with the elemental power of a choir and the subtlety of solos, backed by ancient percussive instruments.
In collaboration with: Lisztov inštitut
22.00 FARAUALLA (Italy)
Gabriella Schiavone, vocals
Teresa Vallarella, vocals, tambourine
Maristella Schiavone, vocals
Loredana Savino, vocals
A journey into the universe of polyphony, linguistic invention, and bold exploration of voice techniques by prominent Italian ensemble from Puglia.
In collaboration with: Italijanski inštitut za kulturo, Ministrstvo za kulturo Italije
ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM
19th–22nd August, Gosposka dvorana and City Museum
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM of the ICTMD Study Group on Multipart Music
In collaboration with: ICTMD, ZRC SAZU, Oddelek za muzikologijo FF Univerze v Ljubljani, KED Folk Slovenija
19th August, Atrij ZRC
17.30 A WORKSHOP OF SLOVENIAN TRADITIONAL MULTIPART SINGING
The workshop will explore selected forms of multipart singing found in Slovenian folk traditions, both in Slovenia and in Slovenian communities across the border. No previous singing experience is required—only an enthusiasm for singing and making music together.
In collaboration with: Glasbenonarodopisni inštitut ZRC SAZU
22nd August, Atrij ZRC
11.00 MUSIC WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN
The music workshop is designed to bring joy to children while supporting their holistic development. It is suitable for children aged 6 to 10.
In collaboration with: Hiša kulture Celje, Primorski poletni festival, MDI Domžale
22nd August, Čevljarski most
11.00–18.00 SUMMER PROMENADE OF FLAVOURS THROUGH OLD LJUBLJANA
A boutique wine and food story, from the Shoemaker’s Bridge through Breg, Gallusovo nabrežje and Mestni trg, which you simply cannot miss.
In collaboration with: Salon Sauvignon
POST-FESTIVAL EVENTS
Friday, 28th August, Ljubljana ZOO
17.00 A TREASURE STORY AT THE ZOO
Saturday, 29th August, Ljubljana ZOO
11.00 and 17.00* A TREASURE STORY AT THE ZOO
Members of the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir
Text and music: Nejc Poljanec
Conductor: Jerica Bukovec
Narrator: Juš Milčinski
A symphonic fairy tale for children.
In collaboration with Slovenska filharmonija, Živalski vrt Ljubljana, Zavarovalnica Vita
*In case of rain the concert will take place on Sunday, 30th August
