Raiven in the Gallus Hall – raw freedom. This musical alchemist turns everything upside-down – no rules, no apologies. Sound, movement, a point in time – nothing else counts. Mystical stories of women come alive through untamed energy. An experience for everyone seeking unbounded feeling. Raiven takes us to the edge of emotion, to the depths where sound and movement merge into one. A hedonist manifesto.

We are delighted to announce a spectacular musical evening. Following a series of successful concerts in Zagreb, Vienna, and Budapest, the world's largest tamburitza orchestra will perform for the Slovenian audience. The concert, titled Croatian Tamburitza Rhapsody, will fill the stage of Gallus Hall with one hundred carefully selected musicians. They will perform works by renowned composers of classical, pop, and rock music, as well as virtuosic pieces from the Croatian cultural tradition. This broad showcase of Croatian popular music, also beloved in Slovenia, will be enriched by star guests: vocal soloists Vlado Kreslin and Amira Medunjanin, alongside Croatian pianist Matej Meštrović.

Since 2009, when TED launched the global TEDx initiative, TEDxLjubljana has been a platform in Slovenia for fresh, innovative, bold, inspiring, underrepresented, and courageous ideas. Their mission is to help create a future we all want to live in. By curating and sharing ideas on stage, they aim to contribute to building a better society.

This year marks TEDxLjubljana’s 15th anniversary, having hosted nearly 200 speakers across more than 38 events on a wide range of topics.

Are you ready to rise to the challenge and make a positive impact on the world?
Join us at TEDxLjubljana 2024, where you'll meet extraordinary speakers who push boundaries and inspire positive change in their communities and beyond.

The event features inspiring talks on diverse topics like investment, leadership, poetry, and linguistics. Before the official program kicks off at 6 PM, enjoy a warm networking session, followed by an afterparty in the Grand Reception Hall of Cankarjev dom.

Be part of a community of over 1,500 attendees brought together by innovative ideas, boundary-pushing insights, and the spirit of connection at TEDxLjubljana.

This year’s stage will welcome 11 remarkable speakers:

• Matic Ačko – Designer, photographer, writer, and performer
• Dr. Nina Črnivec – Climate scientist
• Marja Milič – Advocate for financial literacy
• Marko Drobnjak – Researcher at the intersection of language and law, and advocate for open science
• Melanie Seier Larsen – Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group
• Aljaž Bastič – TV director and assistant professor of TV direction at UL AGRFT
• Aljaž Celarc – Mentor, motivator, regenerative farmer, and passionate self-builder
• Dr. Zala Lenarčič – Leader of a research group exploring the deepest mysteries of the quantum world
• Dušanka Prelc Premate – President of the Slovenian Association for Therapy with Dogs (Tačke pomagačke) and therapy dog handler
• Marko Podgornik Verdev – Entrepreneur and author
• Dr. Jure Knez – President and co-founder of Dewesoft

The program will be enriched with musical performances by Jet Black Diamonds, as well as singer-songwriters Manca Berlec and Blaž Mencinger, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. DJ LYUT and DJ Čorba will keep the energy alive before the event, during breaks, and after the program, encouraging attendees to connect with speakers and event partners.

Connect with TEDxLjubljana on their Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and TikTok profiles.

RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra
Dejan Lazić, piano

SIBELIUS: Finlandia
CHOPIN: Piano Concerto No. 2
MENDELSSOHN: Symphony No. 5

The December concert will begin with a symphonic poem by Jean Sibelius, symbolizing Finnish national pride and independence. Pianist Dejan Lazić will return as a guest, performing folk motifs and lyrical melodies from Chopin's well-known concerto. Mendelssohn's Reformation Symphony will also be featured, showcasing the composer's skillful instrumentation and melodies that reflect historical and religious themes.

Dawid Runtz, conductor
Nikola Pajanović, violin

BARTÓK: Violin Concerto No. 2
LUTOSŁAWSKI: Concerto for Orchestra

In cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland

The young violinist, Nikola Pajanović, showed exceptional musical talent from a young age. He has won numerous awards at domestic and international competitions and has performed on prestigious concert stages. Additionally, he has mastered Bartók's complex Second Violin Concerto, which is included in his extensive repertoire. 
It has been almost 70 years since the first performance of one of the most famous works by the Polish composer, Witold Lutosławski.

RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra
Danjulo Ishizaka, cello

KUMAR: Forehead of the Alps for symphony orchestra
SHOSTAKOVICH: Concerto for cello and orchestra No. 2
BRAHMS: Symphony no. 2

The Chromatics season in composer Aldo Kumar's jubilee year will open with his composition "Forehead of the Alps," influenced by the Polish avant-garde. The virtuoso German cellist Danjulo Ishizaka will perform a challenging and powerful concerto by Dmitri Shostakovich. The concert's second part will feature one of Brahms' most popular works.

Symphony Orchestra Cantabile
Marjan Grdadolnik, Conductor
Neža Nahtigal, Concertmaster

Ana Plahutnik, Mezzo-soprano
Estera Stojko, Vocalist
Peter Grdadolnik, Baritone
Luka Vovk, Clarinet

Folk group Gugutke and the Bird Studio Choir

United Youth Choirs
MlPZ GŠ Logatec / MlPZ KUD Adoramus / Church Youth Choir Rovte

The Symphony Orchestra Cantabile marks its 10th anniversary of performances on the stage of the Gallus Hall at Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana with this year’s concert Christmas in Ljubljana 2024. Continuing its tradition as the central holiday concert, this year’s event is dedicated to the memory of composer Avgust Ipavec, recently deceased director and choreographer Henrik Neubauer, and Jože Gregorič, the late parish priest of Brezovica, who passed away a decade ago.

The concert program spans from Tchaikovsky’s timeless The Nutcracker to Gomez’s Ave Maria and music from the animated film The Polar Express, culminating with Krečič’s arrangement of Gruber’s Silent Night. The orchestra will also present the world premiere of an orchestral arrangement of the hymn for the Jubilee Year 2025, which Pope Francis will proclaim the day after the concert in Vatican City.

Joining the exceptional musicians of the Symphony Orchestra Cantabile will be soloists: mezzo-soprano Ana Plahutnik, vocalist Estera Stojko, baritone Peter Grdadolnik, clarinetist Luka Vovk, and members of the united youth choir. In the grand finale, the acclaimed folk ensemble Gugutke, accompanied by the Bird Studio Choir, will transport the audience into the enchanting spirit of the holiday season with arrangements of traditional carols.

The entire program will be conducted by the orchestra’s founder and artistic director, Marjan Grdadolnik.

Join us for this extraordinary concert, where we will bring together the finest talents for an unforgettable musical experience. Together, we’ll create memories to cherish for years to come.

Program:
A. Modic, T. Slakan, M. Krečič, P. I. Tchaikovsky, W. Gomez, J. Rutter, E. Robertson
M. Nahtigal, F. Meneghello, N. Poljanec, F. Gruber

The Christmas and New Year's Concert by the Slovenian Armed Forces Orchestra, conducted by Mitja Dragolič, promises to delight and cater to the tastes of both music connoisseurs and a wider audience. It will showcase the quality of the orchestra and its guests in the best possible light.

In the Viennese tradition, the orchestra will perform lively yet nostalgic music from the extensive repertoire of Johann Strauss Jr. and his contemporaries, featuring powerful overtures, graceful waltzes, and playful polkas.

When joined by the members of Trio Vivere, the Mediterranean melodies, imbued with optimism and hope, will further brighten the festive December atmosphere.

One of the world's most popular musicals, The Phantom of the Opera, is making its spectacular Slovenian debut this coming summer at Cankarjev dom from 9 to 20 July for a limited season.

The Phantom of the Opera is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical, has won over 70 major theatre awards, including four Olivers and seven Tonys. Seen by over 160 million people worldwide in 41 countries, 186 cities and 18 languages, this haunting love story continues to take the world by storm.

Based on the novel by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera takes place in nineteenth-century Paris, where a musical genius known only as “The Phantom” lurks deep beneath the Paris Opera House. Mesmerised by the talent and beauty of a young soprano named Christine Daaé, The Phantom attempts to lure her into becoming his protégé. Can she resist the mystery of the Phantom of the Opera, or will she be drawn into his world of obsession, darkness and betrayal?

Festival Ljubljana, Cankarjev dom, VignaPR/Koda Events and Broadway Entertainment Group bring this latest production to Ljubljana, with a star cast from the West End and beyond.