The versatile Palestinian musician Ahmed Eid blends traditional Arabic rhythms with global musical influences, underscoring a strong social commitment through his lyrics. 

A classically trained musician, Ahmed Eid’s education included jazz at the Cologne Conservatory of Music alongside classical music at the Lübeck Conservatory of Music. As a founding member of the internationally acclaimed band Bukahara, Eid seamlessly transcends roles as bassist, guitarist, percussionist and singer-songwriter, having evolved a signature style grounded in Arabic melodies but also incorporating other music genres. 

With ten albums under his belt, he now embarks on a solo journey with his latest release, Aghani Akhira أغاني اخيرة(Last Songs), reaching deeper into pressing personal and global issues such as patriarchal violence, colonialism and the refugee experience. Born to parents in political exile, Ahmed Eid grew up in Ramallah and moved to Berlin at the age of 27. Since then, he has divided his life and work between the two cities. This division also informs his genre-varied music, which creates a new, “in-between” space. At Cankarjev dom, Ahmed will present his latest album, Aghani Akhira, accompanied by a Berlin-based band, ILYF. 

Beyond the spotlight, the artist shows unwavering commitment to nurturing emerging talent and alternative music scenes, reflected in the launch of the “Palestine Music Space” Foundation and Centre in Ramallah. Providing free music education and recording space, the initiative stands as a beacon of hope for young musicians in Palestine. Ahmed Eid is one of its principal financial benefactors.

ILYF is a Berlin-based band consisting of the founding members of Bukahara, violinist Daniel Avi Schneider and bassist Ahmed Eid, drummer Kuba, aka Badkuzu, and keyboardist Allysa Grace Martinez. Their concerts constitute an eclectic mixture of psychedelic groove, traditionally infused Arabic songs as well as improvised adventures, organic funk, soft progressions and sounds sourced from Berlin’s contemporary scene.

We regret to inform you that due to the escalating military conflict in Gaza, Palestinian singer Terez Sliman has been prevented from visiting Ljubljana and performing within the context of the Music of the World Season Series. The Terez Sliman concert scheduled for 26 June has been cancelled. Standing in for Terez Sliman is Palestinian musician Ahmed Eid who will perform on 14 June. No ticket exchange is required for the substitute concert, and the same allocated seating applies.
Terez Sliman will be one of our featured artists in next year’s Music of the World Season Series (June 2026).

Ticketholders unable to attend the concert on the new date are entitled to a refund (a proportionate part of the subscription fee) or credit note.
Furter info: vstopnice@cd-cc.si 

Primož Grašič, guitar; Vid Jamnik, vibraphone; Mario Mavrin, bass guitar; David Gazarov, piano; Emil Spanyi, klavir; Christophe Bras, drums

Boško Petrović (1935–2011), a Croatian jazz legend and a world-renowned vibraphonist, was closely connected with Slovenia, spending part of his youth here, attending and graduating from the Poljane Grammar School – and playing football for Ljubljana’s Odred club (today's NK Olimpija).

Jazz Continuo and Two Pianos – Music for Boško Petrović received its widely-heralded premiere on 15 January 2025 at the Vatroslav Lisinski Cultural Centre in Zagreb. Given than Boško, a regular guest on Slovenian stages and a mentor to our musicians, played his last concert in Slovenia with the RTV Slovenija Big Band on 18 December 2010, it is only fitting that – on the 90th anniversary of his birth – Boško's music be again heard in our country, in Cankarjev dom’s Linhart Hall. 

Jazz Continuo was formed in 2012 with the idea of keeping Boško Petrović's music alive and performed even after his passing. The project was initiated by Boško's closest collaborators and friends – Mario Mavrin, Primož Grašič, and Vid Jamnik, who organize an annual concert in his honour, performing in the original format of his trio: vibraphone, guitar, and bass.
 
For this special occasion, celebrating the 90th anniversary of Boško Petrović's birth, Jamnik, Mavrin and Grašič will be joined on stage by additional friends and collaborators: brilliant pianists David Gazarov and Emil Spanyi, as well as drummer Christophe Bras. Together, they will present Boško's original compositions and jazz standards he loved to play with his many line-ups. 

The concert will also present the album Shut Up!...Thank You! (Croatia Records, 2025), a compilation of carefully selected tracks from Boško's rich discography. 
 

Tomaž Gajšt has been a member of the Big Band RTV Slovenija for thirteen years. During this time, he has asserted himself as a key player in the trumpet section and an excellent soloist, as evidenced by the numerous live recordings and the many albums released over the recent years – as a soloist, he features on almost every album recorded by the Big Band RTV Slovenija. Gajšt has not only made his mark in the band, but also more broadly in jazz music, and is considered to be one of Slovenia’s best trumpeters of recent times, known for his exceptional musicianship and delivery. Having already garnered recognition as a composer, arranger and conductor, he is now premiering his new project with the Big Band and under the baton of Lojze Krajnčan. His body of work is imbued with the experience he has gained from numerous collaborations and from playing the compositions of his closest musical friends. While drawing on jazz traditions, his original compositions nevertheless sound extremely fresh and modern, reflecting vivid contrasts and a variety of musical elements. Gajšt's musical ideas are underscored by various lyricists (in some compositions) and enhanced by Lojze Krajnčan’s masterly orchestral arrangements.

Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the Big Band RTV Slovenija has gained renown as a preeminent institution in Slovenian jazz and popular music. Throughout its time-honoured existence, the Big Band has collaborated with world-class musicians from all over the world and built an extensive discography that bears witness to the development of jazz tradition in Slovenia. Over the decades, the orchestra has been setting new standards of excellence in the big-band format, being synonymous with a large ensemble of high professional standing that combines experience, innovation and dedication to music.
 

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.

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.

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.

Flame, the creator, an eternal symbol of rebirth, connects humanity and nature in hope, power and the eternal circle of life. The flame dancer, a restless spirit, meets no end in the ashes, only eternal light. It is said that his step is mighty, his dance incomparable. It sounds so wrong, the Flame Dance, simple and trapped, and yet this apparent incongruity makes us face our own truth, according to which the flame and the dance are not just a spark and a step, but a transformation and an eternal movement, the pulse of the world.

The France Marolt Academy Folklore Group will set the Linhart Hall stage ablaze, shedding light on many Slovenian customs and traditions taking place from winter to summertime. With this year's concert, Flame Dance, the group sets out to explore the ritual roles of fire, which initiated humans into a world of countless beliefs. Its destructive nature has intrigued humanity since time immemorial, feeding the myth about its immense power, a single spark of which humans have seized to ignite the smallest of flames. And they only had to dance around it.
 

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