Culture in Radovljica: Where to for cultural events?

A cultural event can be a concert, theatre performance, literary evening or an exhibition. For some, an artistic film constitutes culture, whilst for others its a good book. All these kinds of artistic culture can be found in Radovljica and its surroundings.

MUSEUMS

When talking about museums in Radovljica, we always have a dilemma over which of them to highlight! There are 14 museum collections and houses that are regularly open to visitors, or upon prior arrangement. This time we have decided to highlight the museums that jointly operate as Radovljica Municipality Museums.

1. The theme of Prešeren Day, a cultural public holiday dedicated to Slovenia's greatest poet France Prešeren, is most closely represented at the Municipal Museum. There is a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Radovljica-born playwright and historian Anton Tomaž Linhart. You can learn about the beginnings of Slovenian theatre and the historiography and the establishment of the first public library in Ljubljana.
2. We are placing the Šivec House Gallery in second place on this 'cultural' ladder. Through its exhibitions, the gallery brings to Radovljica (and Gorenjska) exceptional works by Slovenian, and occasionally also foreign, artists. The treasure of the house, which by the way is in itself interesting due to its preserved architectural appearance, is the collection of illustrations. There are 27 original illustrations on show, among them works by Mojce Cerjak, Zvonka Čoha, Jelke Godec Schimdt, Marjana Mančka, Jelke Reichman, Marlenke Stupica, Gorazda Vahna, Melite Vovk and numerous other well-known Slovenian illustrators.
3. Third place is shared by two museums: the Iron Forging Museum in Kropa and the Museum of Apiculture in Radovljica. The former exhibits the history of ironworking, which is its central theme, as well as the rich legacy of the artistic blacksmith Jože Bertoncelj. Exceptional work! The Museum of Apiculture, with its exhibition of the largest collection of beehive frontal panels, gives visitors a direct insight into traditional Slovenian folk art.

In addition to the above, the Museum of Hostages in Begunje na Gorenjskem is also part of Radovljica Municipality Museums.

LINHART HALL

Linhart Hall is a venue which unites theatre performances by professional Slovenian theatres and a cinema programme, of which so-called 'art films' play an important part. At times of theatre performances the hall is packed to the rafters, while those attending the cinema won't find the usual bags of popcorn but instead a friendly smile and homeliness.

In February's programme we are highlighting the Tori Tango concert, which is a mixture of three kinds of culture: music, dance and poetry. From 18th-23rd February lovers of films about mountaineering will come into their own as Radovljica’s Linhart Hall will be one of the venues hosting the 13th Mountain Film Festival. We are particularly proud of the premiere of the Slovenian film 'Nepoškodovane' (The Undamaged), which, through the eyes of the unstoppable campaigner for rivers, Rok Rozman, reveals the story of the Balkan rivers that were the main theme of the Balkan River Tour project, which is the largest European campaign to preserve rivers.

ANTON TOMAŽ LINHART LIBRARY

Even in the past when Radovljica's library was crammed into Šmajd's Villa, there was room for literary evenings, lectures and children workshops. Now, with the larger and more modern library in Vurnik Square, such events are held in a larger hall whilst there is a separate area for children. You can read books in comfort in the library itself, and for those with children you can read in peace whilst your little ones seek amusement in the children's didactic room.

THE RADOVLJICA MANSION

With its halls and music school, the mansion on Linhart Square is a year-round venue for concerts. Acoustic and chamber music performances are held in the Baroque and dance halls, whilst in the halls of the music school there are concerts performed by the school's pupils.

Every year in August the mansion hosts the Radovljica Festival - the oldest festival in Slovenia of early music. On the day of Slovenia's cultural holiday, the main municipality celebration to mark the cultural holiday will take place here in the Baroque hall.

KROPA CULTURAL CENTRE

Let's take a peek outside the centre of Radovljica – to Kropa! On arriving in Kropa, on the left-hand side you are greeted by a large building, the entrance to which is adorned by skillfully forged iron doors. As to be expected in Kropa! Various performances and concerts take place in the Cultural Centre, and we would like to draw attention to the Kropa Theatre Festival, which takes place every year in June.

There are similar or smaller culture centres in others places in the municipality. Mainly at times of the cultural holiday, local holidays, and festive December, concerts and celebrations take place alongside pleasant socialising among locals.