The Monsters of Spring project explores the ancient carnival customs of northwestern Slovenia, where some of Europe’s oldest rituals for driving away winter have survived. Originally commissioned by National Geographic, photographer Ciril Jazbec – captivated by the power of these communal rituals – has continued returning to the villages at the foot of the Julian Alps. Every February, festival participants dress as frightening characters symbolising various social roles, reenacting age-old scenes to banish winter and usher in spring. The series documents both portraits of the characters and intimate moments from the ritual itself, in which participants immerse themselves in their masked personas, reviving nearly forgotten traditions. The photographs reveal the bizarre beauty of this festival, combining folk imagination, communal spirit, and the ancient desire to renew the cycle of life.
Founder and main co-funder of Cankarjev dom’s Arts and Culture programme
