PURE ENERGY! by KIBLA KIBLA

2012 European Capital of Culture Maribor Murska Sobota Novo mesto Ptuj Slovenj Gradec Velenje

Maribor, 2008

European Capital of Culture 2012 Maribor, Murska Sobota, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje Pure Energy! Proposal for the European Capital of Culture 2012

The Municipalities of Maribor, Murska Sobota, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje

Publisher: Association for Culture and Education Kibla Represented by: Aleksandra Kostič, President of ACE Kibla Edition: TOX, time table through three thousand, Year 13, No. 26

Contents and Concepts: Peter Tomaž Dobrila, Aleksandra Kostič, Dejan Pestotnik, Simon Kardum Editors: Snežana Štabi, Aleksandra Kostič Translation: Alenka Ropret, Tanja Ostrman Renault, Urška Breznik, Petra Blagšič, Marjana Orthaber Copy-editing and proof-reading: Alenka Ropret Layout: Uroš Lehner, support: Dejan Štampar Production: Association for Culture and Education Kibla

Print: Špes, Novo mesto Maribor 2008, Slovenia Copyright © 2008 ACE Kibla Photos copyright © Authors and Archives All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Printed and bound in Slovenia

CIP - Kataložni zapis o publikaciji Univerzitetna knjižnica Maribor 008:118+531(497.4-18) PURE energy! : [European Capital of Culture 2012, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Novo mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje : proposal for the European Capital of Culture] / [contents and concepts Peter Tomaž Dobrila ...[et al.] ; editors Snežana Štabi, Aleksandra Kostič ; translation Alenka Ropret... [et al.]. - Maribor : Association for Culture and Education Kibla, 2008. - (Edition Tox, year 13 ; no. 26) 1. Dobrila, Peter Tomaž 2. Štabi, Snežana 3. Kostič, Aleksandra, 1966COBISS.SI-ID 60627969

PURE ENERGY! Culture Is the Generator of Evolution

The Proposal for the European Capital of Culture 2012

TRG, Foam from Brussels in the Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2005

contents energy – changing to enable development changes

energy – movement space of transition, freedom…

Development Ambitions 8

Cultural Areas

Eastern Cohesion Region 10

Long-term Cultural Development 17

Performing Arts 96

Application 18

Festivals, Events 101

Urbanism and Architecture

Music 104 energy – pure eco-awareness, sustainable development, evolution

Culture as a Generator of Development

Literature 116 Visual Arts 122 21

Leading Idea 23

Material and Virtual Capital of Culture

Development from 2007 to 2013

energy – creativity creation of new ideas in arts, education, science, communication, technologies, business, economy, industry…, vitality Programme Concept 33 energy – power synergy of cooperation and partnerships Maribor 36

Film and Cinematography 128 Audio-visual Production 129

Intermedia Art and Virtualization

130

Youth Culture 134 energy – mobility of artists and audiences, network of artist-in-residence capacities, new ways of public transport Models of Networking 136 People 141 Organization 146 Financial Frame 148 Communication Strategy 152

Murska Sobota 42 Novo mesto 48 Ptuj 54 Slovenj Gradec 60 Velenje 64 energy – transience between different forms and states, duality and tension between the material and virtual Cultural Heritage 71 Archaeology 73 The Middle Ages 74 Profane Architecture 76 Wine Culture 77 Immaterial Cultural Heritage 79 Industrial Heritage 80 Urban Heritage 82 Museums 82

evolution – new services established, from underdeveloped to developed region(s) Appendix 160

Kiblaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Digital Commune I in the Cankarjev dom Culture and Congress Centre, Ljubljana, 2007

energy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; changing to enable development changes

Introduction European Capital of Culture represents a unique opportunity for the region to realise its development potentials and establish a joint cultural and economic platform. Our common programme platform is intended to bring profit to the entire region, explore its positive potentials and help it to a quicker development by means of culture, education, renewable sources of energy, information-communication technologies, creative industries, innovation, and cultural tourism. The success of the candidature for the title of European Capital of Culture will undoubtedly bring a new development impulse to the Eastern Cohesion Region in Slovenia, thus enabling the region to position itself on the level of developed regions, as the title will improve the international identifiability of this geographic entity, its people and creative economy representing more than half of the country. Maribor, boasting a very rich cultural tradition, is the second biggest city in Slovenia. Situated close to the border with Austria, its history was created by inhabitants from each side of the national border. With the construction of the railway between Vienna and Trieste and the accompanying railway maintenance and construction premises, Maribor started to grow from the small provincial Austro-Hungarian town with 20,000 inhabitants into an industrial, trade, educational and cultural centre of the former Lower Ĺ tajerska region, nowadays the north-eastern district. Due to its general development, Maribor became an important city of culture, boasting today an extremely rich cultural tradition and at the same time modern artistic creativity. Located at the crossroads where various important roads converge, the city has always been open to work hand in hand with other cities in the region, in the country and abroad, and it is involved in many cross-border partnerships, networks of twin towns and numerous European integrations. Geographically speaking, Maribor lies at the junction of German, Hungarian and Slovenian cultures, the southeastern Alps and the Pannonian plain. This particular position provides the city with a special character. After the independence of Slovenia, Maribor faced the collapse of the once solid economic system entailing the

departure of more than one tenth of the population. In former Yugoslavia, Maribor was the second most important industrial centre in the country and among the first to develop the information system in the 1980s. Maribor was then the information centre of Yugoslavia, being linked by satellite to other cities throughout the world. In the 1990s the breakdown of the industry resulted in the loss of city's identity, which had been built on the rapid growth in previous decades. That was the century during which Maribor made its breakthrough from a provincial into an industrial centre to which people from rural areas and from other Yugoslav republics kept flowing in and where they developed a strong social and class awareness and a high level of technical self-confident intelligence. The latter was in fact a true generator of development in the last century. The industrial collapse, a deep concern regarding social problems and somewhat artificial maintenance of the public standard are today more or less remembrances of the past, leaving an empty space for a new force that would provide the city with a unified and motivational identity and image. It is our sincere wish that Maribor builds into its image the creative and innovative culture based on complex cultural projects within European and worldwide integrations, on small propulsive companies and on the creativeness of more than 20,000 students of the University of Maribor. A successful implementation of the European Capital of Culture 2012 project requires material, financial and human resources, which are rather difficult to find in one city, while its effects can be difficult to absorb. For these reasons and because of the positive experience gained through cooperation in various programme networks it has been decided to invite other cities in the eastern part of Slovenia to join the project. Thus a group of six urban municipalities was created: Maribor as the holder of the candidature, Murska Sobota, Novo mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec and Velenje. On the other hand the cooperation in programme preparation and implementation involve other cities and regions. Compiling the excellence the region has to offer, the project covers the entire Eastern Slovenia Cohesion region.

Development Ambitions The main challenge is to ensure a faster development of the city and the entire eastern and southern Slovenia from a less to fully developed region by means of culture. In compliance with European and Slovenian development documents and agreements, among which the Lisbon declaration should particularly be mentioned, the goal to achieve before 2012 and maintain it even afterwards is to enable the growth of a society based on knowledge and services related to the culture and advanced information-communication technologies (ICT), with creative or improved cultural industries. The concept relies on integration and networking, vertical and horizontal, which should give a fresh impetus to creative energy and even represent new creative enthusiasm in other areas only indirectly involved with culture. The slogan "Pure Energy!" summarises the objectives.

mixed, public and private partnerships; faster economic development, especially in the areas of creative sectors of industry and services; increased number of new jobs; faster and harmonious development of cultural production/goods, growth of cultural values and demand for cultural production.

Expected Social Effects of the Project

With the prestigious title the European Capital of Culture, extensive European and global media coverage is ensured to the designated city throughout the year, both in the media specialising in art and culture as in those reporting on current events in the public sphere. All segments of the local culture (artistic creation, cultural and ethnological heritage, the culture of living in the widest sense) can find their place in the global communication space, which enables international recognition of the best and most penetrating/ thought-provoking "local" cultural values. At the same time the interest of the international cultural elite (the artists, the creative industry and cultural marketing) in the city – the temporary capital of culture – is raised. To what extent and in what way the nominated city will use the opportunity for promotion enabled by the prestigious title depends on the approach to the project.

The project should have a positive influence on economic growth of the Eastern Cohesion region and on economic and cultural growth of less developed Slovenian regions (the aim is to reach the average national level of development); • 3,800,000 visitors of cultural events; • 900,000 more foreign tourists and 700,000 more overnight stays in 2012; • 1,000,000 EUR of estimated net benefits from marketing; • 600 new job positions at the end of the project; • 95% digital literacy and accessibility to the internet. Project Objectives The key objectives that the project would strive to realise are the following: to encourage a faster development of individual art disciplines and to enable the breakthrough of the most acclaimed achievements of Maribor’s culture in the global cultural market; to raise awareness in Europe and globally of Maribor as a city offering a complete range of products and services in culture, sports, wellness, commerce, and consequently, to boost the development of tourism; to foster the adaptation and revitalisation of the old city centre; to promote business brands from Maribor and the region in Europe and globally. The following related positive effects can be envisaged: integration of artistic production into the innovative environment of a post-industrial society, in which creativity becomes a driving force and an added value in production of market goods and services; therefore artistic creativity and cultural heritage have an active role in transforming Maribor from a former industrial city into a modern post-industrial metropolis; high synergy effects of international cultural exchange and co-operation of business and art creators in

Portugal and Slovenia are entitled to prepare the programme for the European Capital of Culture 2012. The Municipality of Maribor has decided to submit a bid for the public tender JPR24-EKP-2012 issued by the Ministry of Culture on 14th July 2006, closing on 28th February 2007, for the selection of a city to be proposed to the EU by the Republic of Slovenia for the European Capital of Culture 2012 nomination. The selected city will co-operate with Guimarães, a historical and industrial Portuguese city, which has already been chosen for the ECOC programme.

Regional Cooperation A review of the existing capacities in the city indicates that Maribor is able to implement the programme, however, by involving the wider region it is possible to increase the capacities required for the programme realisation and to multiply the expected positive effects of the project. Therefore the concept has been prepared in such a way that it joins partner cities and their surrounding areas into a region with common characteristics and interests. By applying a joint approach, the project implementation can be optimised and maximum return effects can be expected. The following Eastern Slovenian urban municipalities act as partners in Maribor’s proposal for the European Capital of Culture 2012 concept: Murska Sobota, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje, Novo mesto and Maribor and other regional centres which have a common interest in the programme.

Initial Agreement between Participating Cities The municipalities of Maribor, Murska Sobota, Novo mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec and Velenje have agreed that in compliance with the requirements of the JPR24-EKP-2012 public tender, the main tenderer and the project leader of the European Capital of Culture 2012 will be the Municipality of Maribor, whereas other partner municipalities will take part in the preparation and implementation of the programme for certain programme segments for the region covered by the participating municipalities. The following programme segmentation has been agreed upon: the Municipality of Maribor Performing Arts, Music, Visual Arts, Intermedia Arts, Architecture,

The oldest electric bulb in this part of Europe

the Municipality of Murska Sobota Multiculturalism, Ethnology, the Municipality of Novo mesto Hallstatt Archaeology, the Municipality of Ptuj Antique Archaeology, Ethnology, Oenology/Wine Culture and Culinary Art, Middle Ages Cultural Heritage, the Municipality of Slovenj Gradec Global Peace Culture, Science and Art (Noordung), Youth Art, the Municipality of Velenje Industrial Heritage, Literature, Programmes for Children. The partners will share their capacities for the development and execution of the programmes. An organisational and technical network will be established to harmonise the programmes, to enable cultural production and distribution and to develop cultural tourism.

The oldest vine in Maribor, registered in the Guinness World Records

Eastern Cohesion Region The Eastern and Western Slovenia Cohesion regions were declared by the Promotion of Balanced Regional Development Act and defined by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia Decree (83rd Regular session of the Government, 54910-3/2005/12, 7 November 2005). A proposal for the notification of the two regions as statistic territorial units NUTS-2 was submitted by the Government to the European Commission. Eastern Slovenia includes the following development regions (territorial units NUTS-3): Pomurska (Pomurje region), Podravska (the Drava region), Koroška (Carinthia), Savinjska (the Savinja region), Spodnjeposavska (the Lower Sava region), Zasavska (Zasavje region), South Eastern Slovenia and Notranjsko-kraška regions (Notranjska-Carst region). Western Slovenia includes the following development regions: the Central region, Gorenjska (Mountain region), Goriška (Gorica region) and Obalno-kraška (Coastal-Carst region). The Eastern Slovenia Cohesion Region is significantly less developed than Western (central) Slovenia in spite of many development potentials.

The Eastern Cohesion region includes more than 60% of Slovenian area and 54% of the population, however it represents only 43% of GDP based on purchasing power. In comparison with GDP based on purchasing power per capita with the European Union average, including all 25 states (EU-25=100), which is 74.5% for the whole Slovenia, this share in Western Slovenia is 89.3% (almost 120% in comparison with the total average), while in Eastern Slovenia it is only 62% (or 83.2% in comparison with the total average). There is also a significant difference in the development level of employment. In Slovenia, the employees in the service sector represent 52.8% of all employees in an individual territorial unit, in the Western Cohesion this share is 60.9% and in the Eastern region only 45.8%. The Slovenian average unemployment rate is 6.5%, while in the Eastern region it is 7.4%, and in the Western region 5.5%. The youth represent 30% of the unemployed in the East and 26.4% in the West, and the Slovenian average is 28.6%. The share of unemployed women at the national level is 49.6%, in the Eastern Cohesion it is 51.8%, while in the Western region it is 46.2%. In summary, the share of

population in the regions with special development problems in Slovenia is 49.5%, of which 9% in the West and as much as 84% in the East, so the fact that in Eastern Slovenia life expectancy is on average 3 years lower than in the West of the country is a logical consequence and conclusion of this statistics illustrating disproportionate, discriminatory and irresponsible development of our country in the last fifteen years of its independence. (Source: Government Office for Local Self-government and Regional Policy and Government Office for Growth, National Development Plan 2007–2013). Thus the increase of development potential in Eastern Slovenia via the ECOC 2012 programme is seen as one of the key opportunities to implement the principles of a balanced regional development also from the national point of view. Although the division of Slovenia into two "cohesion" regions does not predict administrative and regional authorities, the preparation of the ECOC programme has shown that Eastern Slovenia shares many common features and a mutual interest in development.

Maribor’s Vinag has the biggest wine cellar in Slovenia with 20,000 m2

Eastern Slovenia as a region of accelerated development is also increasingly realistically included in national strategic documents, which define the future development of Slovenia. From these various government development documents it is evident that in future this region will receive 3.5 times more development funds from various European funds than the more developed part of Slovenia (the Western Cohesion Region). Thus Maribor has an opportunity to develop its potential and begin to establish a platform, which will be beneficial for the whole region. The European Capital of Culture is a unique opportunity for the whole region to prosper via common programmes; it enables the region to use and develop its potential by means of culture, education, systematic encouragement of innovativity, sustainable energy resources, information communication technologies (ICT), creative industries, cultural tourism etc. On the other hand, with the ECOC 2012 concept prepared by the Eastern Cohesion Region, Slovenia has an opportunity to establish a model of faster progress of the less developed half of the country by means of culture and related activities. Thus the proposed project could become a European (and perhaps also a global) example of good practice. The Region and some of its Characteristics Eastern Slovenia represents an area of several regional entities, each of which is known for specific cultural curiosities and natural features. With numerous big and internationally recognised business systems, such as Gorenje, Krka, Riko, Perutnina Ptuj, Mura, Pivovarna Laško (brewery), Marles, Elektrokovina – Siemens, Dravske elektrarne, Revoz (Renault), the area boasts big economic and development potentials. Interests of these business systems represent an important element in the marketing of ECOC. The other part of economic potential, important for ECOC, is tourism entities, such as hotels, spas, winter-

The highest number of the most beautiful mediaeval castles (the castles of Predjama, Podsreda and Snežnik), monasteries and thermal springs in Slovenia

Table: Basic statistical data and socio-economical indicators for Cohesion Regions and for Slovenia

INDICATORS

West1) Slovenia

Area (in km2)

East 2) Slovenia

Slovenia

8,061

12,212

20,273

921,945

1,079,169

2,001,114

GDP according to purchasing power (in million PPS – standards of purchasing power); year 2003

18,288

14,705

32,993

GDP per capita according to purchasing power (in PPS – standards of purchasing power); year 2003

19,952

13,619

16,527

91.7

62.6

76.0

Number of inhabitants; year 2005 (30/06)

GDP per capita according to purchasing power (in %; EU-25=100); year 2003 Employment rate; 2003–2005, in %

55.7

53.4

54.5

Employment rate; 2005, in %

56.7

54.3

55.4

61.1

46.8

53.5

Average number of schooling years; year 2005 4)

11.36

10.66

10.98

Ageing Index; 2003–2005 (on the situation of 30/06 of each year)

106.1

103.6

104.7

5.3

7.6

6.5

Rate of young among unemployed (in %); year 2005; young to 25 years

25.1

26.4

25.9

Unemployment rate with 1st in 2nd degree5) of education among all unemployed (in %); year 2005

20.6

26.5

24.3

Employment rate in service activities (G to O) (in % among all employed in a particular territorial unit) year 2005 3)

Unemployment (in %); year 2005

Rate of women among unemployed (in %); year 2005

45.9

51.8

49.6

Expected life duration at birth (in years), 1999–2003

77.6

75.1

76.2

Connections to public canalization; year 2002; in % 6)

60.4

41.0

49.9

Rate of Natura 2000 areas ; in %

38.4

33.6

35.5

Synthesis pointer of development:

73.0

127.0

100.0

Index of development threat7)

1) West Slovenia: Gorenjska, Goriška, Obalno-kraška, Osrednjeslovenska (or NUTS 3) 2) East Slovenia: Pomurska, Podravska, Koroška, Savinjska, Jugovzhodna Slovenija, Zasavska, Spodnjeposavska, Notranjsko-kraška (all NUTS 3) 3) NACE classification of activities, working active population 4) Source: SURS, the calculation is an evaluation on the basis of a Poll about working force and ponders, calculated from the data of the Register 2002. 5) Not finished or finished Elementary School. 6) Data from the Register 2002. 7) Index of development threat is a synthesis indicator, calculated from the indicator of economical development, labour market, population, education and environment for 12 development regions

Sources: SURS, The source for all data from the field of labour: A poll about working force, Eurostat, New Cronos for GDP (state 19. 10. 2006).

sports centres, and tourist agencies. The ECOC project will enable tourism suppliers to create internationally recognisable tourist products in the field of cultural tourism. That includes cultural events staged by various cultural institutions (Slovenian National Theatre Maribor – Opera and Ballet, Maribor synagogue), thus representing a range of new tourist products including the traditional "high" cultural performances, as well as visits to bio-energetical points reputed to have somewhat "magical" healing powers. Urban and historical features of Maribor and its partner cities undoubtedly represent numerous points of interest for many Europeans and even stimulate a closer consideration. The same is true for the specific cultural creativity of partner cities, all of them being regional centres. Maribor is a fine example of a medieval multicultural town (Markburg – the settlement from the 11th century was first mentioned in 1254 as a town). The provincial town rapidly developed due to the construction of the railway line Vienna– Trieste (1846). In 1843 the town hosted the first opera performance and acquired the opera-theatre house in 1864. Maribor has been the seat of a diocese since 1859, while theological studies brought along the beginning of higher education. From the end of the 19th to the mid 20th century, the cultural life in Maribor was strongly influenced by the rivalry between German and Slovenian speaking population.

Maribor

The creation of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia turned Maribor into one of the main centres of socialist working class playing an extremely important role in economy and culture of former Yugoslavia. Already then the Balkan cultural artistic networks were established, and they still represent the conceptual frame of modern networking. The historical aspect and cultural heritage stimulate a continuous reflection of a certain socio-cultural environment. Murska Sobota is the centre of the region famous for its multicultural activities, where Hungarians, Romani, the Slovenian minority in Hungary, Catholics, Protestants and the remains of the Jewish culture mingle. As the centre of a rural area, Murska Sobota is equally the centre of local applied arts and the preservation of ethnological heritage (mills on the Mura River, restored architectural heritage by means of authentic materials, pottery). The region is surrounded by three free countries: Austria, Croatia and Hungary, and part of it has been proclaimed a natural park (Goričko), which besides natural sites also includes cultural features belonging to neighbouring national cultures.

Murska Sobota

Novo mesto is the cradle of historical avant-garde and the place where Anton Podbevšek published the book entitled "Man with Bombs" (today, this avant-garde tradition is perpetuated by the theatre director Matjaž Berger). The city was named the "City of situlas", due to its archaeological richness, and represents one of the most important archaeological sites of the Hallstatt culture. Novo mesto

Ptuj has the reputation of being the most ancient city in Slovenia, located on the site of antique Poetovio, an important military camp in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. With its hinterland, Ptuj can be called the treasure trove of ethnographical and ethnological richness in the eastern part of Slovenia, which has been preserved and made popular through the renowned annual carnival procession.

Ptuj

Velenje, on the other hand, is the youngest city in Slovenia, built as an urban example and pride of the socialist system; it used to be called Titovo Velenje. The city has inherited an enormous amount of disused coal-mining buildings and abandoned mines, which are getting a new cultural use (Coal Mine Museum, the Klasirnica/Classification building). Slovenj Gradec boasts an important musical (Hugo Wolf) and fine arts tradition (naïve art – Jože Tisnikar). Equally important is the pioneer of space flights, Herman Potočnik – Noordung, who exercised a great deal of scientific and science-fiction influence on Kubrick's cult film "2001: A Space Odyssey". The "heir", protagonist and promoter of Noordung's work, with his eyes turned towards the past and the space, is Dragan Živadinov. Slovenj Gradec, a City of Peace (United Nations), in particular develops and focuses on the "global culture of peace". Integration

Velenje

The integration of cities, events and organisations in the entire eastern region, contributing interesting and quality events to ECOC, is definitely facilitated by the choice of prime venues. Namely, the cultural heritage in the Eastern Cohesion region is rather densely distributed, and according to certain estimations the area has the highest concentration of castles, manors and monasteries per square kilometre in the world. Some of the most prominent and best preserved cultural monuments of the kind are: castles of Kostel, Predjama, Snežnik, Kostanjevica, Pišece, Brežice, Podsreda, Ptuj, Otočec, Grad; Pleterje Carthusian monastery, Monastery of Pauline friars – Olimje, Žiče Carthusian monastery, Betnava Manor, etc. The density of thermal water sources, spas and health resorts is also quite astounding. Two of the spas boast an exceptional cultural and tourism history, and are the worldfamous producers of mineral water: Rogaška Slatina, once a famous social venue of the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy and its typical architecture, and Radenci renowned for the Radenska "three hearts "mineral water. Water, as a natural element and essential for life, is omnipresent in the region: clean and rather unspoilt river basins, wetlands, natural habitats with flora and fauna, etc.

Slovenj Gradec

The region is also rich in intangible heritage. Written and oral traditions have been passed down from generation to generation in the form of myths (Martin Krpan, Peter Klepec, King Matjaž), stories (Tales and Stories of Gorjanci, by Janez Trdina), fables and superstitions (Fairies from Prekmurje, goblins from Zasavje, witches from Notranjska), and of typical crafts still present today (Cerknica, onion-

producers in Prlekija, pottery and rod-knitters in Prekmurje, woodenware in Ribnica, glassware manufacture on the Pohorje plateau). The Eastern Slovenia also boasts the three biggest power stations producing more than 90% of energy used in Slovenia. The stations are powered by water, coal and nuclear energy: Dravske elektrarne (Hydro power plant), Termoelektrarna Šoštanj (combined heat and power plant) and the Velenje mine, and the nuclear power plant in Krško. The tradition of mining and industry of the region has been transformed into recognisable artistic forms by contemporary artists performing at international level: Laibach in music, and En-Knap in modern dance. Long-term Cultural Development The European Capital of Culture project is prepared in compliance with the long-term development of the city and the region. The project represents a constituent part of the Cultural Programme of the Municipality of Maribor 2007–2011, which was adopted at the irregular session of the municipal council in Maribor on 19th February 2007; the project is also included in the proposal of the National cultural programme 2008–2011 of the Republic of Slovenia, which was adopted by the Parliament. Due to its inter-regional conception, certain investments planned in the project are already included in various regional development programmes, approved by the National Agency for Regional Development. Some investments and programmes will be debated at a later stage. The public tender provided, among others, a clause stipulating the compliance with strategic and development documents adopted at the national level for the period 2007–2013 (Development Strategy of Slovenia, National Development Programme, National Strategic Reference Framework, Resolution on National Development Projects etc.), as well as integration into regional development programmes, thus representing a solid basis for the expected state and European co-financing. The National Strategic Reference Framework is divided into several operational programmes, such as Operational programme to enhance Regional Development potentials, Operational Programme of Human Resources Development, Operational Programme of Environment and Transport Infrastructure Development, Operational Programmes of Cross-border Cooperation, Operational Programme of Inter-regional Cooperation, Operational Programme of International Cooperation, all of which represent the basis for financing from structural and social funds. Besides the above mentioned documents, many others have been taken into account, e.g.: National strategic plan of rural development and the Operational programme of rural development, which foresees the revitalisation of rural cultural heritage, integration of modern cultural creativity, development of traditional arts and crafts in connection with the development of tourism, cultural and thematic roads etc., as an important part of Slovenian cultural heritage is to be found in rural areas. 17

The highest chimney in Europe – Trbovlje, 360 m

The first preserved skis from Bloke

The ECOC project is in compliance with the following development documents of the Republic of Slovenia, the regions and the EU: • The Reforms Programme for Implementation of the Lisbon Strategy in Slovenia • The Development Strategy of Slovenia • Promotion of Balanced Regional Development Act • Spatial Development Strategies (national, local communities) • Provision of Funds for Certain Vital Cultural Programmes of the Republic of Slovenia Act • Resolution for National Programme of Culture 2004–2007 • Development Strategy of the Information Society Si2010 • National Strategic Plan for Rural Areas • Development Plan and Policies of Slovenian Tourism 2007–2013 • Resolution of National Development Projects 2007–2023 • Draft of the National Development Programme 2007–2013 • National Strategic Reference Framework • Operational Programme to Enhance Regional Development Potentials 2007–2013 • Operational Programme of Environmental and Transport Infrastructure Development • Operational Programme of Human Resources Development 2007–2013 • Framework of Economic and Social Reforms to Enhance Prosperity in Slovenia • Spatial Plan of the Urban Municipality Maribor – Urban Planing of the City • Cultural Programme of the Urban Municipality Maribor 2007–2011 • Resolution of Programmes in the Podravje Region 2007–2023 • Regional Development Programme (RDP) of the Podravje Region 2007–2013, and other RDPs for the Eastern Cohesion Region (drafts) • Social Cohesion and Culture (fact-sheet) • Regional competitiveness and culture (fact-sheet) • Convergence and Culture (fact-sheet) • European Territorial Co-operation and Culture (fact-sheet) • Rural Development and Culture (fact-sheet) • The Economy of Culture in Europe • NATURA 2000 directives Compliance of the ECOC 2012 with Development Strategy Documents As many programmes and investments connected with the ECOC 2012 are based on expected state funds and the contribution of European structural funds, it is important to evaluate the compliance with key national and European development directives/guidelines. European Union Development Guidelines/Directives The European development strategies emphasise that culture and related activities, for instance cultural tourism and creative industries, are the industries of the future and generators of development of the European Union. With its

multiplicative economic effects many new jobs are created and a high growth is possible. Culture is a constitutive element of our society and state, and together with the Lisbon strategy, the economy and culture of knowledge, ecology, sustainable development and renewable energy resources, mobility, public infrastructure and equal inclusion, it represents a key factor of existence and functioning/living in modern time and is leading Slovenia into the future. For the 2007–2013 period, linking culture with education and the related information and communication technologies (ICT) is considered a high priority by the European Commission. The topics such as intercultural dialogue, presentation of common European cultural roots and preservation of cultural heritage are emphasised. National Strategic Reference Framework During the preparation of the ECOC programme the government documents (working material) defining development priorities for 2007–2013 were consulted (National Strategic Reference Frame and National Development Plan 2007–2013). National Cultural Programme A new National Cultural Programme (NCP) for 2008–2011 has just been adopted. During the preparation of the ECOC concept, certain individual starting points based on the NCP material were taken into consideration. Regional Development Programme A draft/proposal for the Regional Development Programme for the Podravje/Drava development region 2007–2013 is available; the ECOC 2012 concept has been prepared in compliance with the above-mentioned text. Local Cultural Programme During the preparation of the ECOC 2012 project, the Local Cultural Programme proposal for the Municipality of Maribor and the planned long-term investments from the Municipality of Maribor Development Programme Plan 2006–2010 have also been taken into account. A few new investments have been proposed to be included into the Municipality of Maribor Development Programme Plan. Synergies supported by the European institutions are placed at different levels. There are individual cultural programmes, already being carried out by numerous organisations and institutions within the frame of European projects. Networks and projects of cities already involve, and will do so in a more active way, all partner cities. The added value of these connections resides in creative confrontations, in surpassing its own limits and in the enhancement of self-confidence through performances in the international environment.

Cooperation During the preparation and organisation of cultural programmes, the already existing and well known cooperation procedures will be used, and some new ones will be introduced: cooperation at the local level with other cultural operators, organisations and institutions (Mina – Maribor Information Embassy); cooperation within the region, and also with other regions (the candidature involves six cities); cooperation within the entire country (libraries network, Art Cinema, cultural centres network, galleries network, theatre network, multimedia centres network); networking and cooperation at the European level (European multimedia centres network, European Multimedia Associations Convention, URBACT, etc.); exchange of experts, artists, professors, students (Erasmus, IAESTE, AIESEC); attracting various groups of tourists (tourism associations at local, regional, national and European levels); artistic coproduction, postproduction at European and worldwide levels (Pandur Theatres, Film fund, IETM, EFAH, On-the-Move, European Theatre Convention); European and worldwide tenders for new artistic works inspired by the leading theme; European and worldwide contests for art performers.

The largest intermittent lake in Europe – Cerkniško jezero

Cultural Diversity in Europe European richness of cultural diversity and its particularities will be highlighted through: high-quality international cultural festivals performed in Maribor and partner cities; organisation of thematic professional meetings hosting prominent European experts in culture and in specific artistic fields; special emphasis on multicultural co-existence (ethnic and other minorities: Romani, Hungarians, Croatians, Serbs, Albanians, Macedonians, Bosniaks...); special emphasis given to cultural cooperation beyond language barriers (crossborder, international, Pan-European cooperation); special emphasis on the global culture of peace (Slovenj Gradec); intensive cultural cooperation with the west Balkans; connecting east-west and with the so-called third-countries (the Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine etc.); cooperation with Portugal and twin cities; cooperation within the framework of Alps–Danube–Adriatic. European Cultures Common aspects of European cultures will be brought to the fore by means of: European thematic contests for new artistic works; "celebrity" and highly visible media programmes with the top European cast; joint projects: European orchestra academy, international festival ensembles; cooperation in European partner project consortiums (Kibla – projects under realisation, A Soul of Europe); promotion of sustainable living culture within NATURA 2000; integration of European cultural and historical hiking paths E6 and E7 (historical Amber Road, Roman roads – the Mast road), and St Martin's road; taking into account various European initiatives (Strategy i2010, Equal, Life, Urban etc.); taking into account programmes of the European Union (FP7, IST, Culture, e-Contentplus, Media+, Socrates, Leonardo, Minerva etc.).

A high share of protected areas by Natura 2000, 33.6 % of the protected areas in Eastern Cohesion

Links with Europe and the World After the successful nomination in 2008, some of the most important activities will comprise the establishment of cultural links among countries and cities, cultural organisations and institutions, individual artists and groups. The existing cultural networks, such as Culture City Network, will be used actively whereas other European and worldwide networks (network of twin towns of all partner cities involved in the ECOC 2012 project) will be upgraded with diverse cultural contents. Approaches have already been made to become integrated into networks of other Capitals of Culture: 2008 – Liverpool, Stavanger, 2009 – Linz, Vilnius etc. On the other hand, certain programmes are already being prepared with other cities, such as Pecs. In order to promote Maribor and its partner cities internationally, the ECOC project foresees an active use of the nomination during various international events, starting already in 2008. Slovenia will host a Cultural Contact Points conference within the framework of the Culture programme; in the first half of 2008 Slovenia presides the EU, which will be the first important opportunity to address the influential public from the highest political, cultural and economic strata. The year 2008 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe; it is also the year of multicultural dialogue etc. At the same time the ECOC will be the starting point for other parallel programmes implemented from 2008 to 2012 – e.g. World Capital of Books programme (UNESCO). The ECOC will be promoted in connection with other events across the world, like American Capital of Culture, Arabian Capital of Culture (initiated by UNESCO within the programme of Cultural Capitals). International relationships of Maribor and other participating cities, cultural institutions and partners in the ECOC project will be broadened through representative and promotional opportunities arising from other major worldwide events, such as the Olympic Games 2008 and 2012 in Beijing and London respectively. The importance of the above mentioned international relations and their establishment does not only lie in ensuring a higher quality level of cultural performances in 2012, nor merely in successful international marketing of cultural goods. Numerous links forged during the process of artistic creation, coproduction, organisation of cultural events and many others, remain active even after they have served their initial purpose, and provide for a continuous exchange of cultural goods and human values among people, a programme and professional cooperation among institutions and creative face-to-face experience of local culture and cultural values of other regions, cities and nationalities. In such connections divergences are not considered as being competitive or antagonistic (what makes the international market of cultural goods so essentially different from the market of material goods); instead of defending their own values as if being threatened, cultures enhance each other, their exchange being fruitful and

beneficial. Projects like the ECOC are therefore excellent opportunities for smaller European nations and cultures to add their piece to the mosaic of European identity. Support of Local Political Authorities The Urban Municipality Maribor applied to the public tender for the selection of a city to be nominated as the European Capital of Culture for the year 2012. The Municipality of Maribor entrusted KID Kibla with the preparation of candidature, which undoubtedly shows the support of the local authorities. The proposal of candidature was approved by the city council in Maribor at its irregular council session on 19th February 2007, which was entirely devoted to cultural issues and as such represents a unique event in the history of Slovenia. At the same session, the council also adopted the Local Cultural Programme (MOM 2007–2011) comprising the financial share for planned investments. Maribor has thus become one of the few cities in Slovenia having a strategic document in the area of culture. Support of Regional Political Authorities On 25th January 2007, the mayors of all participating urban municipalities signed the Agreement of urban municipalities on cooperation in the candidature for the title European Capital of Culture. The agreement binds the mayors to contribute to the organisation, financing and programme selection. The signed agreement is the first demonstration of a kind of political will in the modern history of Slovenia, the content of which is binding for all undersigned. Support of National Political Authorities The candidature of Maribor and its partner cities was selected among four applications (Ljubljana, Celje, Koper, Maribor) by an international evaluation jury of experts, who were proposed by the Minister of Culture and approved by the national government. After the selection by the jury, the Minister of Culture, Vasko Simoniti, Ph.D., proposed Maribor and its partner cities as a nominee for the title to the government for its final approval, which was granted on 31st May 2007. Maribor is involved in intensive negotiations with national authorities regarding the financial support for planned investments and programmes to be allocated by the state (competence of the Ministry of Culture and of the Government Office for Local Self-Government and Regional Policy). Application Based on the tender issued by the Ministry of Culture, the Urban Municipality Maribor announced a public call. After the selection, Kibla called up a public meeting with cultural providers, producers, and operators, during which it was suggested to invite other cities and regions to participate as well. The first stage of preparations consisted of meetings with other urban municipalities, and once they agreed, it was followed by advisory meetings with representatives from other cities and the decision process about the programme. On behalf of the candidate, i.e. the Municipality

of Maribor, Kibla prepared the programme at various levels according to the main elements, i.e. the Strategic framework encompassing the strategy, purpose and goals, connections and compliance with local, regional, national and European strategic and development documents; the Programme concept including the most important programme guidelines and the compilation of possible programmes and potentials; and finally the Business plan or rather the plan of marketing, promotion and communication of the project. The methodology and the approach to project implementation are based on comparative results of the so-called Palmer Study (European Cities and Capitals of Culture), and on the conceptual upgrade of the expert study entitled Slovenia ECOC 2012 (Kibla, 2005). The Ministry of Culture entrusted the study to Kibla, also because it successfully presented the Slovenian contemporary visual and intermedia arts in Cork, European Capital of Culture in 2005. The Municipality of Maribor chose Kibla in the process of public procurement because of its numerous international references and wide scope of action, from territorial and aesthetic point of view. At the very beginning the project approach was conceived in a transparent and open way. More than one hundred meetings, round tables, brainstorming sessions and visits of the entire region have been carried out with interested organisations, groups and individuals; everything has been carefully documented.

With a 56.7 % share of forest area with regard to the entire area of the country, Slovenia is the 2nd most “forest-covered country” in Europe right after Finland. These are the woods of Kočevje, Snežnik Javornica and Pohorje.

The concept was supported and approved by writing a letter of intent, which was done by approximately sixty cultural, business and educational entities and individuals. The project had a very positive response from certain local authorities abroad. The regionally conceived programme enjoyed a wide political support. Dozens of meetings, including brainstorming sessions with cultural providers and representatives of organisations and institutions, directors in the cultural field in Maribor and other partner cities, politicians and public officers, free-lance artists, organisations with similar scope of actions, as well as open discussions (initiatives and proposals gathered by means of an e-mail address) were carried out enabling the organiser to collect an important number of ideas, but most of all a very wide support to the proposed ECOC concept. Meetings were conducted with representatives of all local communities – mayors, directors of communities, heads of cultural departments –, with cultural creators, representatives of organisations and institutions, and directors responsible for cultural events from the entire region and other partner cities. The majority showed enthusiasm to participate in the project and approval of the proposed candidature concept. The ECOC 2012 project has to ensure mobility in every area of action: mobility of producers and organisers, artists, programmes, public. Due to the multi-regional and polycentric concept of the event, as well as its focus on mobility, the programme proposal can be entitled The European Capital of Culture in Movement. Cities, institutions, organisations, artists, cultural producers and operators have shown their interest to participate in the project by sending in more than 90 letters of support.

Postojnska jama as the biggest tourist cave in the EU

Pandur.Theaters: Tesla Electric Company, director TomaĹž Pandur

energy - pure eco-awareness, sustainable development, evolution Culture as a Generator of Evolution

Cultural Tourism

The ECOC 2012 concept preparation is based on utilitarian understanding/perception of culture as a social activity generating development. Apart from the immanent cultural objectives of the ECOC 2012 project (development of cultural values) and the cultural-political objectives of the EU (development of inter- and supranational cultural communication in Europe, development of European cultural identity), for Maribor and its partner cities the development potential enabled by the project is particularly important. The European development strategies have emphasised for years that culture is the industry of the future and a driving force of development.

Besides the so-called soft tourism and tourism in the fields of health, recreation, sport and wellness, cultural tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the developed world. The WTO forecasts successful marketing of these segments also in the future. According to surveys, tourists are becoming more demanding and are prepared to spend more money on holidays and travel. By 2020, the WTO forecasts the number of tourists to increase by factor 2, whereas the revenue from tourism is to grow even by factor 3. Slovenia will be able to participate in global tourist trends by offering a quality tourist experience, such as cultural tourism for which it has good conditions. A growing demand for more exclusive services and products is dictated by target groups – postmodern consumers whose behaviour results in the search for particular symbols and value marks that define a special product or a service. These trends correspond to the level of education and development stage of society; the higher the level of education, the greater the demand for culture and its values. Successful global markets entrance depends on organisation circumstances /conditions – specialisation, concentration, interregional and international co-operation, especially with the neighbouring and European countries.

Today’s European Union is well aware of the economic value of artistic production as well as of its influence on development of the environment in which it functions via its products, the process of creativity and establishment of cultural values. This is a complex social process that also results in the creation of new jobs. Cultural and artistic production can have an important influence on the development of organisations outside the immediate area of art by stimulating the development of individuals’ creative potential as well as by creating culture related activities and services. A strong cultural production enabled by the ECOC project can only intensify social integration and can help the post-industrial Maribor to acquire a new cosmopolitan identity based on the values of creativity, respect for cultural heritage and cultural features, including both its own distinctive qualities and foreign characteristics in the openness of the European and global cultural space. Direct and indirect contribution of cultural production to the growth of economy has also been recognised in our environment, particularly in connection with the development of cultural industries. Culture directly produces a growing spectrum of consumer goods (cultural products and services such as books, films, music, concerts etc.). As society develops (level of education, purchasing power…) the level of cultural needs is increasing and the cultural products market grows. The ECOC 2012 project will therefore have a longterm positive influence on the structural changes in Maribor and in the rest of Eastern Slovenia. It will have a significant impact especially on the development of cultural tourism, the most demanding form of tourism economy.

The central geographic location, optimum symbiosis between the natural and man-made environment, internationally renowned cultural products and tourist destinations, a rich culinary tradition, the wealth of arts and crafts, hospitable and tourist-friendly people – all this is a great potential for cultural tourism to establish itself as a leading tourism discipline. Further advantages are the proximity of other established and potential tourist markets, the circumstances that enable development of traditional and new marketable tourist products, and most of all, the establishment of the Eastern Slovenia Region via the ECOC 2012 as a special European cultural tourist region. The project thus provides a chance to design a common tourist product under a single brand, which will define culture as a key tourism driver. Maribor is situated in an archaeological area with a three thousand-year cultural tradition, a city with numerous cultural monuments and collections as well as modern cultural programmes; it has a medieval city centre and its own university as well as new developed sports and tourist infrastructure. The city and its surroundings boast with

important natural sites (the City Park, the Maribor River Island, the Pohorje Hills…). The local historical heritage, the arts, sports, cuisine, wine, ecology and other cultural fields need to be intertwined to provide the visitors of Maribor with a wholesome cultural experience. To enable such tourism, investment into cultural and related programmes and necessary infrastructure is needed. Such priorities are also prescribed by the ECOC 2012 tender.

One of the rare preserved synagogues in Europe – in Maribor

However, if the whole region of Eastern Slovenia (united into a partnership in order to prepare the ECOC 2012 programme) is considered as a location and a natural environment for the development of cultural tourism, the potentials are multiplied and so are the effects of investments into the programmes and infrastructure. In the region consisting of the partner cities there are numerous castles, monasteries and churches, an interesting industrial and technical heritage, many outstanding cultural programmes, contents and potentials: a range of festivals, cultural institutions, Carmina Slovenica choir, Neue Slowenische Kunst, reconstruction/reintroduction of Levstik journey from Litija to Čatež, Muljava of Jurčič, the historical avant-garde in Novo mesto, Potočka Zijalka cave, the ethnologic wealth of Prekmurje and Prlekija regions, historical cities such as Ptuj and Celje; there are also many thermal springs and spas, vineyards, Carst caves; the legendary Leon Štukelj, the core of the Slovenian Multimedia Centres Network which can provide digital support to the ECOC 2012 and much more. Culture – Creativity and Innovation The concept, designed as a partnership project of the Eastern Slovenian urban centres, is enabled by even wider dimensions of the region’s development. The ECOC 2012 concept also focuses on culture as the centre of creativity and innovation. Cultural creativity is a complex process of interactions of many contents – ranging from practical skills, technologies, science and management to special spiritual/ intellectual structures of imagination. The processes of cultural (artistic) creation with physical and spiritual outputs alone as well as in connection with other processes foster innovativity of society. Culture as heritage, live creation and communication is the noblest intellectual capital of a society. Intellectual capital is also a key component of development based on knowledge of both individual organisations and the society as a whole. Thus the segment of culture considerably contributes to attention and valuation of intellectual capital in the economy of its environment: this is evident in innovation as well as in product and service design, in organisation of working processes and in quality of environment landscaping. Many of these aspects are obvious, but difficult to measure. Culture as Treatment of Nature

Celtic sites and the cultural integration of the Celts into the Slavic population. Etymologically, names like Moge and Kardum are of Celtic origin.

Both Maribor with its greater area and the whole of Eastern Slovenia boast with the wealth of varied and biotically diverse landscape containing numerous natural sites. Accordingly, the concept pays special attention to treatment of nature and environment; it also highly values the principles of eco-friendly and sustainable development.

Key Contents of the European Capital of Culture 2012 Leading idea PURE ENERGY! Culture is the generator of evolution. To crystallise the leading idea of the concept, a notion or a symbol connecting all the participating cities was required. Finally, the term ENERGY has been selected for several reasons: many energy resources which are vital for the whole country are located in Eastern Slovenia, for instance coal mines, as well as hydro- and nuclear power stations. There is also a high concentration of thermal springs in the region. On the other hand, the term ‘energy’ in various combinations has positive symbolic connotations, which are emphasised by the ECOC 2012 project: energy - changing – to enable development changes energy - power – synergy of cooperation and partnerships energy - creativity – creation of new ideas in arts, education, science, communication, technologies, business, economy, industry…, vitality energy – transience between different forms/states, duality and tension between the material and virtual energy - movement – space of transition, freedom… energy - pure – eco-awareness, sustainable development, evolution energy - mobility – of artists and audieneces, network of artist-in-residence capacities, new ways of public transport evolution – new services established, from underdeveloped to developed region(s) Cooperation and Partnership The fundamental cooperation takes place between the cities integrated in an organisational and production network. Apart from Maribor, the network currently consists of five Eastern Cohesion Region municipalities, which cooperate on the basis of a written agreement. The network will welcome new members – cultural centres interested in quality longterm organisational and production cooperation in the area of culture management and cultural tourism. During the preparation and implementation of the programme, special attention will be dedicated to the development of cultural links and exchanges, coproductions, joint promotion and marketing of cultural and tourist products with the following partners and groups of participators: other Slovenian cultural and tourist centres, the Portuguese city of Guimarães – the second European

Capital of Culture in 2012, Maribor’s twin towns and five partner municipalities, the former European cultural capitals and nominated cities, the cities of the Culture City Network, the cities in the neighbouring countries and in the Alps– Adriatic region, the Slovenians abroad, the Slavic Cultures Forum and others. Geographical Area The ECOC 2012 project will involve statistical regions of Eastern and Southern Slovenia. The so-called territorial concept involves and integrates all urban municipalities of the Eastern Cohesion Region: Murska Sobota, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje, Novo mesto and Maribor, as well as regions Pomurje, Podravje, Koroška, Savinjska, South-east Slovenia, Zasavje, Lower Posavje, and Notranjska with the Karst region. All participating cities contribute with their competitive advantages. The programme implementation will also involve wider surroundings of individual regions and sub-regions. Maribor, being the holder of the candidature, represents the most prominent cultural, academic and economic centre of the area; Velenje will focus mainly on industrial heritage; Ptuj is an important antique site and the centre of ethnological curiosities (Kurent); Novo mesto is the core of Slovenian archaeology (the Hallstatt culture); Murska Sobota is famous for its rich rural culture; Slovenj Gradec is the global city of peace. The concept is firmly backed up with social, historical, cultural, ethnographical, natural and economic arguments. Apart from the above mentioned six urban municipalities, centres of other regions will be equally involved: Celje from Savinjska region as the seveneth will be invited to join and the centre of Notranjska – Karst region is Postojna, Krško is in the Posavje region, Trbovlje lies in the Zasavje region, Metlika in the Bela Krajina region, and Ljutomer in the Prlekija region. The involvement and integration of all these cities and regions puts special emphasis on inter-regional and polycentric conception of the project, which represents at the same time one of the basic postulates of the European Union operation and development. Individual programmes are designed so as to facilitate connections with other cultural centres in Slovenia (in particular with the capital Ljubljana), with twin towns of all partner cities in the project, and with other, former and future, European Capitals of Culture, with the Slovenians living in neighbouring countries (Carinthia and Styria in

Austria; Hungary), in Europe and elsewhere in the world. The existing integrations will also be involved, such as the Alps– Danube–Adriatic, the Central-European Initiative, the Slavic Cultures Forum, the European Hiking Trail E7 connecting Portugal and Slovenia, the E6 from Scandinavia to Slovenia, traditional routes such as the Amber Road from the Baltic to the Adriatic, river marble roads, and similar. The planned network will include all European Capitals of Culture to date, as well as Guimarães in Portugal, and both "forerunners" Turku in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia.

A close cooperation with Portuguese partners is being prepared, especially in the fields of modern creativity and network creation (the European network of multimedia centres, network of modern art galleries), of residential centres and centres for creative industries which are planned to facilitate the exchange of contemporary artists, theoreticians and other experts in performing arts, music, visual and intermedia arts. A common programme of digital TV and radio, intended for cultural and culturally related subjects, should be covered within the ICT cooperation.

The planned concept gives Slovenia a chance to establish a cultural development model within a wider region. Being quite unique in Europe, and most probably also in the world, this model could be used by other countries and regions in similar circumstances as an example of good practice. The regional concept of the project could be beneficial to both, to Slovenia by multiplying positive development effects, and to Europe by establishing a model example based on the European development directives in the area of creative cultural industry.

Guimarães was awarded several prizes for architecture, the Europa Nostra award in 1985, the first prize of the Association of Portuguese Architects in 1993, and the Real Fundación de Toledo award in 1996. On 13th December 2001, UNESCO granted the historic core of Guimarães the distinction of a World Heritage Site. In 2001, Maribor was also awarded the prize by the European Urban Association (a renowned European award for modern urban development planning) for the document Urban Concept of the Municipality of Maribor with workshops. From its pioneer urban and industrial conception, Maribor keeps rich heritage pertaining to different periods of its urban history, such as the railway colony in the 19th century, Vurnik workers colony in the 1930s, and alike.

Links with Guimarães The official candidacy of European Capital of Culture 2012 is attributed to Maribor and its partner cities, and to the Portuguese city of Guimarães. Guimarães is situated in the district encompassing 68 municipalities with approximately 160,000 inhabitants. Its size and the structure of inhabitants as well as of the economy are comparable to Maribor. Guimarães is also a university centre. Therefore Maribor has suggested to forge links with Guimarães at various levels, which could eventually lead to a formal twinning of both cities. Due to the technical orientation of the University of Guimarães, it seems quite feasible to establish links and cooperation between both universities. Common economy issues, such as the textile industry, could serve as a basis to create a Textile Museum (as Maribor owns an extremely rich museum collection of clothing and fashion). But the priority remains the implementation of joint programmes and projects, such as the exchange of selected programmes and projects in the field of modern arts, cultural heritage (cooperation between museums), industrial heritage, history (the Celts), and urbanism. The concept of cooperation will be jointly drawn.

Links with the other city will also be based on natural characteristics, as for example the already mentioned European hiking path E7. Linking the European east and west will be carried out by mobility projects, which will involve a network of Mediterranean cities (within the Anne Lindt Foundation). Besides "coastal" links, "land" links will continue to be developed and upgraded, e.g. On the Silk Road, which leads from Asia to Europe. One of possible ways to consider this connection is the life of the Jesuit missionary, philosopher, mathematician, astronomer and mandarin, Ferdinand Avguštin Hallerstein, born in Slovenia at the beginning of the 18th century. As an important court scientist and official, he lived for 35 years at the Chinese imperial court in Beijing, keeping intensive scientific contacts with Europe, and especially with the royal court in Portugal.

Marta de Menezes: Nature?, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2006

Mirsad BegiÄ&#x2021;, Ohraniti sanje II (Preserving Dreams II), 1987, mixed technique, 15x60x25cm, Murska Sobota Gallery

Material and Virtual Capital of Culture

Two principles of activism, mediation/transmittance, promotion, representation and distribution of cultural creativity have been considered from the perspective of modern reality and media: material (or gravitation, physical, realist), and non-material or virtual (cyber, information principles). During its preparation and implementation phase, the ECOC project will surpass the limitations of Maribor and partner cities by a simultaneous development of the non-material Virtual Capital of Culture, accessible to the whole world via Internet portals and modern digital electronic media. Such an approach provides a special opportunity for the development of interdisciplinary and intermedia arts and other cultural and related areas. The cultural projects and ICT findings and solutions drawing their added value from science and vice versa (artistic creativity connected with science) as well as on the market (with necessary modifications and market promotion an artistic project can become a best-selling product and vice versa: quality industrial design can also be an artistic product) will be particularly encouraged.

The most beautiful panorama of the rivers Kolpa, Krka, Mura, Drava

Mobility of Artists, Programmes, Publics The ECOC 2012 should ensure mobility in all areas: mobility of its producers and organisers, mobility of artists, mobility of the programme and the publics. Due to its multi-regional and polycentric character the programme could also be called the European Capital of Culture in Mobility. Residential Centres One of the priorities of the European policy is mobility in all areas, with an emphasis on the mobility of artists. In comparison with other European countries, Slovenia is far behind in providing residential centres for artists; therefore it includes residential centres for artists among its development priorities in the area of culture. Establishing residential centres for artists in Maribor and its partner cities is also one of the priorities of the ECOC 2012, as this will considerably increase international cultural communication and mobility as well as contribute to successful solutions in problematic urban areas, to revitalisation of cultural heritage and deserted city areas etc.

The biggest rock festival in Slovenia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rock OtoÄ?ec

Target Groups The ECOC programmes will aim at various target groups including people with special needs, different age groups and social groups with varied cultural values. Special attention will be paid to the young with the emphasis on raising awareness of cultural values, and in view of European-wide problem of ageing population, also on encouraging lifelong learning and on providing older generations with the access to culture and quality life. Culture of the Information Society

The biggest cultural institution in Slovenia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SNG Maribor

One of our goals will be constructing the virtual European Capital of Culture. We will foster digital literacy, research safe internet possibilities and build reliable networks, empower social inclusion and especially focus on deprivileged segments of population, young and elderly people, handicapped persons, persons with difficulties, minorities etc. and promote access to internet for all. Digitalisation is an important means of ensuring greater access to cultural material. In some cases it is the only means of ensuring that such material will be available for future generations. Online presence of materials from different cultures and in different languages will make it easier for citizens to appreciate their own cultural heritage as well as the heritage of other European countries. The recommended measures will contribute to present Slovenian rich and diverse heritage on the Internet and to protect cultural assets from an irretrievable loss. The development of effective means of digital preservation has far-reaching implications, not only for the preservation of material in public institutions but also for any organisation being obliged or wishing to preserve its digital material. Beyond its fundamental cultural value, cultural material is an important resource for new value-added services. The recommended measures will contribute to enhance the growth in related high value-added sectors such as tourism, education and media. High-quality digital content is a key driver for large-scale industrial activities (hence the interest on the part of major search engines). Digitalisation and digital preservation are knowledge-intensive activities that are likely to grow considerably in the coming years. The initiative to create a Slovenian digital library is strongly rooted in national and local efforts to digitise and preserve the cultural material. Digitalisation of Slovenian cultural heritage and making it available through a preferred access point will raise the visibility of Slovenian rich and diverse heritage on the Internet and make it accessible. The Slovenian digital library will facilitate the access for citizens and professional re-users to cultural material from other European countries and enable them to share their knowledge.

Old Roman Ptuj, the largest Old Roman city outside the Roman walls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; limes

Goods and services based on digital materials are essentially transnational by nature. Individual issues have a strong cross-border character: interoperability of digital collections

between European countries, a common multilingual access point, licensing of copyright material for online use etc. So far only part of the material held by libraries, archives and museums has been in the public domain in the sense that it is not or no longer covered by intellectual property rights. Free Internet for Public Institutions and Organisations Every European Citizen should get a free Internet access. The Internet is becoming an indispensable tool for lifelong learning and sustainable development. Everyone has a constitutional right for the access to knowledge and the Internet is becoming its main source. The basic information on the Internet is free, therefore the connection enabling access to this data should not be charged. It should only be necessary to pay the contents that are not considered common knowledge, e.g. advanced information, professional information, fun contents etc. Like in libraries. Support knowledge! Security Platform The aim is to establish a European security platform and offer it for free to every user interested. Its upgrades will be free, as it will be supported by the EU Funds. This security platform should become an ICT standard and would have to be used if a certain security level is demanded. It should be based on the Open Source and upgraded by any company approved for support, so it may change from time to time, which prevents potential monopoly(s) and system 'bugs' or other inconveniences. This platform will be all-European citizen property, which would definitely raise confidence. Create a kind of a self-supportive system!

Anton Martin SlomĹĄek (1800â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1862), the first Slovenian archbishop, sanctified in 1999.

Install Wireless Internet in Populated Places! Some towns, cities, villages would be picked and wireless Internet would be installed (Wi-Fi, Wi-Max) and available for free use. We would follow its usage statistic and learn from its traffic, how to improve and where to continue. Only from using the Internet we could ensure its development. EU should support such projects in each EU country/region and make it cross-border among neighbouring countries. Support the information flow and exchange! Television Becomes Content Producer Television channels should become content producers and not only network suppliers. In the ICT age, new technologies, protocols and data compressions have fostered diverse networks pipelines, e.g. optical cable, telephone cable, wireless. Therefore the Internet providers (ISP) are becoming network operators, taking care of the Internet content and charging for it, televisions are providing contents, which are world-wide (or better system-wide) distributed. Support television production and upcoming ICT for providers! CopyNo Policy CopyNo policy should be discussed with regard to various topics as more and more issues derive from common knowledge. CopyNo means there are wide aspects of

Museum attractions, Turkerije collection in the Ptuj castle

Development from 2007 to 2013 human educational, cultural and scientific information that should never be included into any kind of Copy-policy. With knowledge sharing the knowledge database system only profits, therefore it should be open, not closed (nor CopyRight neither CopyLeft). Support content! Open Source for Culture European software development is only possible with supporting Open Source programming, which is also a European invention. Open Source principles should be included into a wide range of information and communication technologies. Satisfactory results with regard to European priorities are possible only by investing into the programmers working with Open Source. Open Source systems should be fostered to get implemented into many European public organisations, institutions and services. Testing for improvement! Culture could be the main field for these purposes. Support autonomous cultural producers and operators! MultiAnalog â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MultiDigital: Complexity of Relations Europe should use its enormous rich analogue past and transform it into an even richer digital present (or maybe future). The traditional should be alive in the modern, languages as the conception of the "multi" should also be cherished in an institutional way. Every EU country should have an institution or organisation or a body, pursuing the aim of common European interest in the fields of culture, education and science and an objective forming part of the European Union's policy in this area. Support user generated contents!

The European Capital of Culture 2012 programme implementation (the contents and organisational preparation) will begin immediately after the nomination. Other activities, such as education, science, tourism, sports and other related areas will be included into the programme preparation. Fast development of vertical and horizontal co-operation is planned. Horizontal co-operation is understood as networking between organisations and institutions between the partners in the region, while vertical co-operation includes joining the topics of individual areas, programmes and projects. In the area of networking a special emphasis will be placed on the development of ICT, taking into consideration the European guidelines on development of information society. A gradual growth is planned in ensuring the necessary infrastructure to implement cultural activities and in creation of cultural programmes culminating in 2012. With increasingly improved conditions for cultural production the share of the funds allocated for investment into development of the local cultural market will also increase, allowing the promotion of our cultural image in the international cultural market. The development does not stop on the level reached by 2012, when the title the European Capital of Culture will be passed on to other cities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on the contrary, the project sets the standards for further development of Maribor and the region.

The youngest Slovenian city Velenje, established after World War Two

Key Programme Leaders and Partners Public and Private Cultural Institutions and Individuals Public and private cultural institutions and individuals (independent artists/producers) will be the key programme leaders, producers and operators. Between November 2006 and January 2007, representatives of the majority of local institutions, cultural workers and many artists took part in the workshops and panels, the aim of which was to gather ideas and concepts for the programme preparation. University Since its establishment, the University of Maribor and its faculties have closely co-operated with the local business. Therefore the university pedagogues and researchers are important contributors to the programmes and represent a vital link in developing co-operation between the economy and creative cultural projects. The Academy of Arts is being established within the University of Maribor. A complex infrastructure consisting especially of production-presentation and educationresearch centre for modern art is required for the future academy. Its potential could be increased by programmes in the local environment, such as a cultural management school, a residential and multi-media centres network and an international platform for creative industries and culturalartistic production. Economy The parts of the ECOC 2012 programme that refer to the revitalisation of the old city centre include the Old Maribor Economic Interest Association (Gospodarsko interesno združenje Stari Maribor) as a partner, joining the SMEs that are interested in development of the old city centre (about 300 members – sole entrepreneurs and craftsmen). In the area of development of cultural tourism, the partners of the programme will be companies active in tourism and related sectors (hotels, casinos, tourist agencies, catering, transport…). By participating in the ECOC 2012, the companies that sell their products or services in the European market will have even more possibilities for promotion. By supporting the creative processes of cultural projects, the most vital and innovative companies will be able to increase their own creativity and innovativity. Human Resources The following human resources will be required for the project implementation: artists, cultural producers and experts, employed in public and private cultural organisations in Maribor and its partner cities, artists and experts who co-operate with these organisations on a project basis as well as independent artists/producers. In the frame

of international cultural exchange, internationally acclaimed foreign artists and experts will also be invited to participate in the project. There is a lack of human resources and the knowledge of cultural management, international cultural marketing as well as business and managerial knowledge of cultural tourism – the vital skills required for a top quality annual cultural programme of the Municipality of Maribor and its partner cities to grow into a European and global cultural project with high development return and return on investment. To acquire the knowledge necessary to organise the project and to enable the operation of the inter-city network, several specialised functional management training programmes are planned with the help of the renowned Slovenian business schools (such as IEDC – Bled Business School, the Faculty of Economics at the University of Maribor and others). Cultural Infrastructure Maribor (and other participating cities) has an extensive public cultural infrastructure (theatre halls, concert halls, galleries, other venues) as well as private infrastructure. However, a large section of the existing cultural infrastructure is not suitable to present Maribor and Slovenia adequately in the international cultural environment, therefore renovation and substantial investment will be required. Some of the necessary investments into the cultural infrastructure of Maribor have already been included into the current development programme of the Municipality of Maribor for the period until 2010: the final phase of adaptation of the castle of Maribor, including the Maribor Regional Museum facilities, a new building for the Puppet Theatre and renovation of the Minorite monastery, adaptation and expansion of the Maribor Art Gallery, renovation of a part of KPD Karantena for cultural organisations. Other proposed investments included in the regional development programme are: • Renovation of the Žiče Manor to meet the needs of the Orchestra academy, • Adaptation of the Minorite church to accommodate a chamber music hall, • An outdoor auditorium (West Lent), • Adaptation of the Judgement Tower and reconstruction of the former “Benetke” area and the city gates, • Renovation and finalisation of the Pekarna art zone, • Adaptation of Nasek Manor to accommodate the Arts and Crafts Centre and a residential centre for artists.

To provide a satisfactory cultural infrastructure for the ECOC 2012 project implementation, it is necessary to ensure the following measures regarding the existing cultural infrastructure: • Adaptation and expansion of the Union complex, • Renovation of the Water Tower, • Renovation of the Great Hall within the Narodni dom cultural centre and purchase of new stage equipment, • Modernisation of the facilities for the Maribor Industrial Heritage Centre in KPD Karantena, • Modernisation and expansion of Maribor Public Library as well as adaptation and expansion of its branch network. New projects, connected with the ECOC 2012 ambitions, which will have to be developed and included into the investment plans of the Municipality of Maribor, of the region and of the government, are stage infrastructure on the Drava river and two other projects: an Art House and Region House. Cultural Heritage Renovation of immovable cultural heritage of Maribor is one of the primary tasks of cultural and economic development of the city. Simultaneously with the majority of the abovementioned investment projects into cultural infrastructure, the revitalisation of the listed buildings and the old city centre will also take place. Apart from the complete and systematic restoration of the immovable cultural heritage it is necessary to renovate several important buildings (for instance the Čeligij/North/Defence Tower) and establish a funding system for the renovation of privately owned buildings to ensure their adaptation and at the same time preservation of their cultural value. The ambition of the ECOC 2012 is to restore gradually certain parts of the city (e.g. Koroška street) by introducing new functions from the field of artistic creativity and creative industries in order to speed up the revitalisation of the wider area/region.

new sculpture parks and systematic inclusion of artistic and memorial sculptures into the public spaces. Interactive digital archives of cultural (and natural) heritage of the region participating in the project will be produced for the ECOC 2012 promotion. Other Infrastructure Development of cultural tourism is possible in the climate of awareness of and respect for complex cultural values. Externally this is also evident in communal services provided by the city and in the kind of aesthetic impression created in visitors. Therefore it is necessary to improve the appearance of the neglected or insufficiently maintained public areas such as: the Rotovški trg square, the south side of the Glavni trg square, the Židovski trg square, the area between the technical faculties and technical high schools (Smetana Street), the Kidričev trg square etc. The expected growth of tourism requires additional infrastructure both in Maribor and in the whole Eastern Slovenia: • Additional accommodation and catering facilities (private sector), • More parking spaces, additional parking garage during events, • Traffic/transport information, • Increased traffic flow capacity during events, • Inclusion of the Maribor airport into international air traffic, • Alternative transport solutions: pedestrian zones, cycling routes, river transport and others, • Development of efficient transport connections between the cities participating in the ECOC 2012.

Special attention will be paid to the maintenance of the existing art sculptures in public spaces and sculpture parks (forma viva, Rakuš square); the ECOC 2012 project plans

energy - creativity creation of new ideas in arts, education, science, communication, technologies, business, economy, industry …, vitality Programme Concept The key premise summarised in the slogan “Pure Energy!” is based on understanding culture as creative energy, and as such on its ecological and socially responsible conception of the world. Culture is a generator of progress and a medium of social inclusion. Maribor and its partner cities of Eastern Slovenia can implement the project of European Capital of Culture in Movement between the open spaces established by partners, which represent hubs of creativity, through the creation of connections and networking of programmes and locations. The programme is conceived on the principles of sustainable development and life-long learning, integration of all social and ethnic groups, and particularly focusing on children, the elderly and other vulnerable social groups.

Thematisation of the world of virtuality vs. the reality of the man-made environment leads to questions about relationships between culture and nature (cultural paths, legends, myths), energy and ecology (principles of sustainable orientation).

There is no common regional or political authority or identity in the Eastern Slovenia Cohesion region, the territory of the European Capital of Culture 2012 project. From this point of view, the project aims to construct a virtual region with the help of modern technologies, a region based on cultural creativity – Pure Energy! – open towards European and worldwide network systems. The Eastern Slovenia cohesion region is unique in Slovenia, Europe and in the world in terms of culture.

In terms of practical organisation this means that apart from territorial networking, polycentric and inter-regional cooperation (urban centres linked with rural hinterland, as the majority of population in Slovenia lives outside cities), the emphasis will be on creating intersections to connect culture with education and art with science. From the technological point of view this implies a thorough integration of the advanced ICT and media, the development of virtual culture and digitalisation of cultural heritage, the development of networks in the sector of cultural industry and its segments, both horizontally (network of residential centres, castles, creative industries centres...), and vertically between different areas, in particular education, science, economy, tourism and sports. Modern technologies for the implementation of web-platforms allow grouping Slovenian and European cultural providers and users, digitalisation of cultural heritage, virtualisation of culture, events and creativity, update of cultural institutions using ICT systems etc.

Concept Outline The conceptual thematic approach to questions regarding contents of cultural identity (of an individual, a town, a region) deals with them in groups, such as: local–regional– global, national–European, post-industrial urban–rural, as well as the role of arts and culture in the 21st century. The main issues are: future vs. past, urban vs. rural, industry vs. information, analogue vs. digital, art vs. heritage, etc. The main programme focus will therefore be on modern creativity facing historical artistic movements (avant-garde, socialist realism, contemporaneity). The question of identity in the contemporary world cannot be answered without taking into account the historical relation between the individual and the universal: the domination of the universal in totalitarian regimes and ideologies of the 20th century vs. the undiscovered freedom and fear in the world of IT virtuality.

Thematic questions related to identity and arts need to pay special attention to historical roots of local, regional and national culture (creation of cultural heritage networks – castles, archaeological sites, intangible cultural heritage – and its renovation), thus fostering the cultural identity of Europe through confrontations, understanding and levellingout differences (artist and audience mobility, residential centre networks).

Organisational and creative links and networking surpass the limits of east and west, north and south in Europe. Opportunities within the existing European integrations and associations, such as Alps–Danube–Adriatic, western Balkans, Slavic culture, and similar, will be widely used.

energy - power synergy of cooperation and partnerships

Vladimir Leben and Damjan Kracina: Galapagos, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2005

Maribor Maribor, the city holding the candidature for the nomination for the European Capital of Culture 2012, is the second largest city in the Republic of Slovenia. With 114,000 inhabitants in its urban area and approximately 180,000 together with the nearby settlements, the city presents the business, financial, cultural, educational and development centre of Northeast Slovenia. Featuring a university with 20,000 students, a number of higher education institutions, 18 secondary schools and 24 primary schools, the city boasts the youth dynamics and constant search of new opportunities. A pleasant climate at the junction of the Alpine and Pannonian regions, unspoiled nature and the green Pohorje hills at the very Southeastern brink of the Alps provide the city with a pleasant living and working environment. Maribor was established in the 12th century as a settlement below the defensive fortress placed at the Drava river crossing at the junction of paths connecting the Alpine

Damjan Ĺ varc: Maribor

passes and the Pannonian plain with the Adriatic and the Black Sea. The existence of previous settlements in the area is attested by numerous archaeological findings from the Copper Age (2400 BC), late Iron Age (800 BC) and the antiquity. The first document proving the existence of Marchburg defensive fortress dates back to 1164, while the data on the town below first appears in 1204, with Maribor first documented as a city in 1254. In the Middle Ages this was a town of 2000 inhabitants, enclosed by a defensive wall, important as the centre of winemaking (Maribor still features the oldest vine in the world, still bearing fruit for wine production) and timber trade, as wood was carried by rafts on the Drava river towards the rivers Sava and Danube. The small central European town was quite calm in the Middle Ages â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the most important events being fires, plague outbreaks and incidents of Turkish invasions. Fast changes and development in the city began in 1846 after the construction of the Southern Railway, when the

central position of the city (midway between Vienna and Trieste) resulted in the construction of railway workshops at the outskirts of the city, initiating the industrial development. After that the population increased rapidly, the most important public institutions were established (the first opera in the city was performed in 1843, in 1852 the opera-theatre house was constructed, in 1859 Maribor acquired the diocese seat, inciting the establishment of higher education with its theological education, in 1883 the first light bulb in this part of Europe was lit in the city...). At the turn of the century, the city had already grown to 20,000 inhabitants. Upon the end of World War I (in 1918) the nearby Fala on the Drava river acquired a large hydroelectric power station and later a series of other hydroelectric power stations, enabling the expansion of textile, chemical, engineering and later automotive industry, and through this, a fast development of the city in the 20th century.

During the German occupation in World War II, the city was bombed heavily by the Allies, which resulted in the destruction and heavy damage to almost half (47%) the buildings. After the renovation, Maribor was one of major technology and development centres in the former common country Yugoslavia. This was the time when Maribor was in many ways the forerunner in new technological, business and cultural processes in Yugoslavia and Southeastern Europe (in the 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Maribor was the information centre of Yugoslavia, featuring a satellite connection with cities around the world, and the first city with cable TV in the Balkans...). This provided the basis for the city identity, being that of an industrial city with strong social-class awareness and a high self-confidence in technological intelligence. The latter was the true motor of city development in the 20th century. Thanks to industrial and business development Maribor also became an important educational, research and cultural centre of the former Lower Ĺ tajerska region,

Maribor Castle

today Northeastern Slovenia, and the city with rich cultural heritage and contemporary creativity. Upon the collapse of the common market and business connections between the newly emerged countries of Western Balkans, large industrial companies in Maribor also collapsed. Having survived much, in the 1990’s the city experienced the worst crisis in its history, composed of high unemployment, business standstill and complex problems arising from the transformation of an industrial city into a service-based postindustrial urban society. The collapse of the industry resulted in the loss of Maribor’s identity, having been based on the self-confidence in successful industrial and technical intelligence. We currently witness the emergence of a new self-image of the city and its identity, cultural creativity having an important role in it. The city has a great cultural potential. Non-profit professional cultural institutions (institutes and associations) comprise almost 600 employees, on top of that they had more than 780 external creative partners last year; over 5,000 inhabitants of Maribor actively participated in more than 85 nonprofessional cultural organizations. The city is home to the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor with the Drama as well as Opera and Ballet, the largest

cultural institution in the country, and other public cultural institutions, such as: the professional Puppet theatre, the Narodni dom cultural centre, Youth cultural centre, the Musuem of National Liberation, the Regional museum, the Art Gallery (and a series of private galleries), the Regional Archive, the large University Library, the city library comprising a network of 19 libraries, located within the city and in neighbouring municipalities, as well as a movable library in the form of bibliobus... There are also many exceptional cultural institutions in the city, such as Carmina Slovenica – one of the best choirs in the world, Plesna izba – a dance school and producer of modern dance events, KIBLA multimedia centre, MARŠ student radio, Pekarna madgalenske mreže institute, EST secondary-school student theatre specializing in musicals, and a number of other creative and artistic groups and individuals in various fields of artistic creation and performing. Alongside the regular creative production of these institutions, groups and individuals, several festivals and workshops are organized within the city, the most extensive one being the Lent Festival, the others comprising the Classical Music festival Maribor, the Borštnik meeting theatre festival, the Poletni pristan puppet theatre festival, the Nagib contemporary

dance festival, the computer art festival, the Magdalena creative communication festival, the Naša pesem national and world choir competition etc. In centuries of historical experience (also negative and tragic), Maribor has developed a special tolerance and coexistence of various cultural practices. Maribor lies beside the national border with Austria, therefore its past was created by inhabitants of Slovenian as well as German origin, also of Jewish origin until the end of the 15th century. The cultural activity between the end of the 19th century and the mid 20th century was thus considerably affected by the rivalry between the German and Slovenian population, which after World War II and the related atrocities failed to prevent the emergence of innumerable cultural links and of the coexistence of two languages and two related cultures. Situated at the crossroads, Maribor is the junction of the German, Hungarian and Slavic cultures, open for cooperation with other cities and regions, integrated into many crossborder partnerships, twin-city networks and various European integrations. This provides the city with a special character, enhanced by the culture of Southern Slavic representatives arriving in the time of fast industrialization (the official statistics report about 19% of non-Slovenians among the inhabitants of Maribor). The current cultural tolerance is partly the result of the reflection on dark historical aspects and historical, ethnical as well as cultural issues of social violence towards individuals and groups, the phenomenon in European historical development in which Maribor was no exception (the expulsion of Jews in 1497, the prosecution of “witches” within the Inquisition, fights among nations at the turn of the 20th century, assassination of the defeated after World War II). Partly due to being aware of the destructive character of concentrated social power, ideologies and totalitarian regimes, Maribor has been intentionally fostering the feeling of tolerance and multiculturalism and providing support to activities dedicated to these values (there are many cultural associations of various nationalities living in the city, in the 1990’s alternative and underground mass cultures prospered in Maribor – the emergence of the MARŠ Maribor student radio and the Pekarna cultural centre, the height of the Youth cultural centre, the birth of the Kibla multimedia centre and many other cultural and artistic projects). The cultural effect of this activity was influential across the region borders into Ljubljana, Graz, Zagreb, Budapest, Varaždin... The 1990’s and the latest decade have been characterized by the popular as well as established culture – the rise of SNG Maribor theatre production of world prominence under the creative management of Tomaž Pandur and the emergence of the Lent festival (1992). Currently, the SNG Maribor is the largest Slovenian cultural institution, whereas the Lent festival is the most visited summer festival in wider Central European region. The city with its cultural heritage, the green of parks and alleys as well as its balanced urban development offers a pleasant environment for new, ambitious creative projects.

Narodni dom Maribor

City castle of Maribor, castle staircase

Rafts on the Drava river

We are fuelled by striving for a new postindustrial identity of the city, which should integrate the culture of creativity and innovation into its self-image, based on the most demanding cultural projects, on European and world-wide integrations, on propulsive small enterprises and on creative confrontation of various types of creativity. This aim is reflected in the concept and the main thread of cultural activity in the year of the nomination for the European Capital of Culture 2012. Cultural Activity in 2012

Matjaž Krivic: Earth Temples, exhibition in the Maribor city park

Cultural activity in 2012 will be dedicated to various cultural identity issues, and through that to the question of the role of art in the 21st century in establishment of the contemporary man and his moral, social, aesthetic and other identifications. The question of identity in the contemporary world cannot avoid the historical thematization of the relation between the individual and the general, such as the prevalence of the general in 20th century totalitarian regimes and ideologies as opposed to the undiscovered space of freedom and fear in the information technology world of virtuality. Thematizing the relation between virtual worlds and the reality of the material environment enables us to reopen the tradition issues of relations between the creative, imaginative and the material, technological, between culture and nature, between “should be” and “to be”, between the truth and the lie, between transcendent values and the market of cultural goods... The main programme emphasis will thus be on contemporary creativity confronted with historical artistic movements and cultural paradigms of the dawn of the 3rd millennium. Upon the artists and cultural events passing between virtual and real spaces of partner cities, we will help create a new network of connections, thus establishing a new virtual region as a real space in real time. We thus enter the experiment with the newly sharpened tool of antique philosophers – poetry and technique, the assumption of the poetical creative power based on skill. The starting point, summarized in the Čista energija! - Pure Energy! slogan is based on understanding culture as the creative energy, and on its socially responsible creation of new worlds and the relation towards these worlds. Culture is understood as a generator of social development and a medium of social integration. Insecurity about the results is considered a constituent part of the experiment.

Church of St Aloysius, Maribor

Murska Sobota The Town of Murska Sobota is the administrative, business, social and cultural centre of the Pomurje region, lying at the junction of four countries – Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. The municipal fest is on 16th July as a reminder of the year 1348, when Murska Sobota was first mentioned. Murska Sobota experienced an expansion in town planning and construction at the end of the 19th century and in the beginning of the 20th century. Besides some historically designed buildings from the end of 19th century, the town was provided with a defined urban view and secession style in the first two decades of the 20th century by the Pomurje architect László Takáts. In the 1930's the architect Feri Novak projected several bourgeois villas and designed the town development according to functionalist principles of modern urbanism. Most of his ideas were realised after World War II, while his guidelines can still be followed today. Within the EU, Murska Sobota is becoming an increasingly important economic centre, not only connecting the inhabitants of the Pomurje region, but also striving for more intensive cooperation with Slovenian cities and in the cross-boarder region – Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Croatia. Known for its multicultural harmony and tolerance, Murska Sobota has made its position at the juncture of countries a competitive advantage, which will provide the town with numerous opportunities and options for sustainable development of the town and thus the region. The programme guideline of Murska Sobota is to design a long-term cultural programme that will promote the development of Murska Sobota in the long term. The year 2012 is just the beginning of a blooming cultural development, which makes it necessary to plan a multicultural centre in the town centre that will generate not only cultural but also tourist, educational and spiritual development, not to forget the sustainable development of the region. Multicultural Cohabitation Murska Sobota is a multicultural town in the cross-boarder region, only minutes away from the borders of three countries, known for its tolerance between religions and ethnic groups, integrated in the multicultural Slavic– German – Hungarian space. The culture is a mix of numerous equal

Murska Sobota

cultures, where the theatre, exhibitions, art colonies or club concerts of alternative music are equally important for the integral spiritual offer of a certain area. The multicultural cohabitation in Murska Sobota is seen as cohabitation of various nations, cultures, languages, religions, values etc. The multicultural coexistence also enables simultaneous and synchronic development of different ways of cultural creativity, including new ones. Aim: to become the central spot of cultural development in the cross-border region, which will allow artists a simultaneous development of integrating and related activities. In the year 2012 all partner cities within the project, as well as major cities in the neighbouring crossborder region, twin cities and Pomurje towns will be invited to present themselves within the project. Cultural Heritage Murska Sobota, Renaissance city castlebor

The Murska Sobota Regional museum is the central institution for the preservation and protection of movable cultural heritage in the Pomurje region. Its mission is complex museum activity, which includes recording, collecting, researching, protecting, educating, and presenting our common past. In our past various cultural influences are intertwined, from the first inhabitants till today. The Pomurje culture represents a mix of different ethnical, national and religious influences through centuries. Aim: to encourage the awareness of importance of preserving natural and cultural heritage, presentation of heritage, protection of natural and cultural heritage, development of regional marketing attributes – development of common programmes and projects; to emphasise the meaning of preservation of architectural heritage, folk architecture, industrial heritage. To promote intangible cultural heritage (folk poetry, music, traditions, stories, legends, myths), natural heritage, archaeological heritage (the oldest urn burial place in Slovenia and with 178 graves the largest Bronze Age burial place in Central Europe dating back to 3500 BC). Cultural heritage also presents an opportunity for cross-border collaboration with existing partners and potential partners. Youth Culture

Murska Sobota, Renaissance city castlebor

Youth culture in the town is well developed. A lot has been done within the MIKK – Youth information and cultural centre and this field of culture is well recognized internationally. MIKK has developed several programmes, such as concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions, installations, promotions of youth creativity, music production etc. MIKK have managed and established new programs in the field of informal education – drums workshops, music workshops, guitar classes, painting colonies, street art etc.; organized lectures, round tables, and seminars. MIKK also organize programs for children and form new projects including: Delu čast in oblast Festival (the-first-of-may festival of music, theatre, urban culture, sports…); Grossmann after Grossmann Film Festival (a film festival in collaboration with

Plan9, Ljutomer); Dan mladih – the youth day (organizing all activities within one day of Murska Sobota Fest); The Little grand MIKK stage (a competition for the promotion of young musicians in Pomurje). MIKK is also a multimedia centre, featuring two activities: the Pomurje cultural portal and education. MIKK connects youth organizations of the region. Aim: to preserve and further develop the already established path and mission of MIKK in the frame of youth culture. At the same time to develop new projects and programmes on IT, festivals, alternative music, workshops… Alternative Music The axis Lendava–Murska Sobota–Cankova–Pertoča–Murska Sobota–Sv. Jurij at the River Ščavnica represents Prekmurje, Prlekija and the eastern Štajerska region on the World map of music creativity and events. Alternative music has long been an unrecognized ambassador and promoter of Pomurje in Slovenia and Europe, and in some cases in the whole World, as is the case with the Psycho-Path band. Murska Sobota has already become the capital of alternative music in Slovenia.

Storks

Aim: promotion of alternative music, development of a positive image, club scene, a festival, tourist offer and exchange etc. Mörski Guitar Festival The festival was first organized in 2003. It enables the development of music in local environment, at the same time building on the image of the region within European space. The festival also enables an exchange of quality guitar concerts with other festivals in Slovenia and abroad. In the frame of competition there is also a young guitarist competition. The basic idea of the festival is to present the guitar as a classical instrument and to contribute to classical guitar development. Guitar music has been developing in the last 15 years and gaining on quality. Consequently there is now more activity in Slovenia within guitar music. The festival is a mix of competition, evening events, support activities like guitar expert lectures etc. In 2006, the international festival was spread over four days, the performances including 172 guitarists from five countries in eight categories. The participants were from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Austria and Italy. Experts appeared at the festival as jury and performers: Tomaž Rajterič, Vera Ogrizović, Žarko Ignjatović, Edin Karamazov, Jerko Novak, Marko Feri, Sašo Lamut, Vojko Vešligaj and Ajša Svetlin. The frame of festival events included lectures, exhibitions and presentations of instruments. International and domestic collaboration with other festivals is well developed. Aim: to preserve and enlarge the traditional festival, organize music workshops; to present other music arts like chanson; choir music, jazz etc. Roma Music The cohabitation of Prekmurje Roma and the natives has the longest tradition in Slovenia and an important influence on Slovenian music and cultural space. Today there are

Murska Sobota, Evangelical church

also academic musicians among Roma. It is their aim to revive their almost forgotten music and culture and pass this identity to new generations, such as the music opus of Nevo di, presenting the rich Roma music and enhancing the Slovenian cultural space with unique ethno-musical materials. Their compositions are in Pomurje Roma language, reflecting the way of living in the past. The acclaim for the contribution to Roma music preservation should be attributed to three generations of Roma musicians: Miška and Elemir Baranja, Adam Biczkey, and the father of Roma music Didi. Aim: concerts, formation of a folk ensemble, composed of Roma and other musicians, gala concert of Roma elite with eminent guests of classical music, Roma music school, raising the awareness and positive Roma image. Dance Murska Sobota, Rakičan castle

Dance has been fashionable in Pomurje for the last few years thanks to dancing schools and Matjaž Farič. The aim is to integrate co-organizers, partners and other organizations outside Pomurje and also Slovenia to develop major dance events with international participation in 2012. The aim is a further developed and enlarged Front@ Festival of contemporary dance to which international dancers will be invited. It will include dance workshops and enable an exchange of experience and knowledge within the EU space. Its main event will be the "improvisation attack". All possible groups will be invited to collaborate. The event will also enable further understanding, knowledge and presentation of dance and dance performance. It will also integrate the public and try to enhance its collaboration in events. Improvisation with dance and music will be welcome. The central point of the festival will be Murska Sobota, a town on the junction.

Murska Sobota, Dobrai hotel

Aim: additional offer in the town and the region, top dance performances, traditional international dance festival, encouraging local dances, increased participation of public, sustainable partnership between institutions and connected activities, modern dance, ballet, dance competitions, dance courses, traditional quadrille. Visual Art Murska Sobota Gallery will contribute with its exhibition programme featuring domestic artists and a permanent exhibition, also opening its doors to artists from other countries, partner cities etc. It will also organize an international symposium. Aim: continue to develop the cycle of exhibitions with top artists, organization of workshops for youth and experts. Folk Art Folk art – music, dance, poetry, carving trade etc. as the basis for an open-air cultural market reviving the streets of the town and ensuring a direct contact with the public. Folk music and dances outdoors among people as a protest

against technology, modern halls, closed environments. Connection with other traditional folk festivals in the region, such as Beltinci Folk Festival in summer. Aim: to integrate folk art in joint events, thus contributing to understanding and knowledge among cultures; workshops, exchange of experience; collection of materials. Theatre and Cinema The only theatre hall in Murska Sobota was established in 1991 in the town castle. Because of great needs the town decided to upgrade the old cinema hall into a multipurpose hall in 2007–2009. The hall in the town castle with 150 seats is suitable for club events, as well as puppet and dance performances. Renovating the castle hall in 1991 was the first step to a professional theatre and theatre activities. Over 10,000 visitors visit the theatre annually, thus making it the most popular cultural institution in the region.

A mill on the Mura river

Aim: a modern hall as in investment plan, the Pomurje region theatre group, jobs, Slovenian drama, drama and comedy evenings; theatre cafe, shows. Ethnic Minorities Establishing a multicultural region as a model for dialogue, understanding, tolerance. Simultaneously enabling to preserve identity and cultural diversity, traditions, habits, etc. Presenting multiculturalism on EU level. Aim: Village of cohabitation – village of opportunities – Roma – better quality of living: a living environment for people who want to live in a multicultural village; bio approach and regional traditional architectural approach in construction – collaboration with young architects. Tea shop Zhena's Gypsy Tea – tea as an event with a fortune-teller, Roma music school; camp, culinary art, film workshops, traditional market, young designer market, competitions, souvenir shops, spiritual university, space for the homeless; marketing workshops, creative workshops, traditional dance, Roma language courses etc. Religion Murska Sobota is traditionally a city of 16 religons, among which are the Roman Catholic Church, The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession, the Pentecostal Church, the Baptist Church, The Christian Adventist Church, The Jehovah’s Witness, The Jewish Community of Slovenia, the New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Calvinist Church, The Islamic Religious Community. Projects on ecumenism have been executed for decades, including collaboration of the Roman Catholic, Evangelical, Pentecost and the Baptist. Positive experience is seen in the dialogue and coexistence of different religions. Aim: new project development, contributing to understanding, tolerance and dialogue; workshops, seminars, round tables, charity; Jewish music, information, thematic exhibitions, debate evenings, culinary art, religions of east...

Murska Sobota, PAC club

Novo mesto

Novo mesto The Dolenjska region in the southeast of Slovenia features a varied undulating landscape comprising a gentle multitude of shapes and colours. In the heart of the region flows the Krka River, the green beauty and pride of the area, in the vicinity of which the first inhabitants settled thousands of years ago. Many a kin stayed there for life, taking the gifts of the area and returning to it the work of their hands and thoughts. Many traces have been lost, some are being discovered once more, those existing are being added new ones. This also holds true for our town. Ever again it is new, although now an old 'new town' â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Novo mesto. Marof, a lookout hill opposite of the town peninsula, used to be a fortified prehistoric settlement in the first millennium BC. Its immediate surroundings feature three burial sites of the period. Long-running archaeological excavations have continually been proving and establishing Novo mesto as one of the most important cultural centres in Europe of the time. In the vicinity of the town, an important Roman road connected Ljubljana to Sisak. The Romans left an important trace here in the antiquity. The chestnut alley, planted in the 19th century, follows the former road entering the town, its route bordering the prehistoric settlement at Marof. Today a town promenade is arranged here, offering nice views of the town embraced by the Krka River. In Middle Ages, noble families and church institutions penetrating into the south of Europe and affirming their political as well as economic aspirations in the areas conquered began establishing towns and cities to represent administrative and military centres of their lands. The Habsburgs also needed their own centre to affirm their power in the area. The Duke Rudolph IV of Habsburg established the town on 7th April 1356, naming it Rudolfswerth after himself, yet people immediately started referring to it as Novo mesto â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the 'new town', for it really was new in the area. The town rises steeply at the rocky peninsula surrounded by the Krka River. The town walls used to enclose it from all sides, some parts being additionally fortified by defence towers and town entrances. When entering the medieval town core through the narrow passage, we can still feel the Upper or Ljubljana entrance. The immediate surroundings feature a memorial hall, dedicated to inhabitants of the town having deceased in World War II, a sculpture of a man holding his arms high

in memory of longing for freedom, and in a small park by the library a sculpture of the hostage and composer Marjan Kozina. The Lower or Karlovec entrance was located beside the old wooden bridge, connecting the town with places at the right bank of the Krka River up to 1899. The major part of the town walls was destructed at the end of the 18th century. Some towers were rebuilt into residential houses. In the Breg area small houses were built on the town walls, perched like eagle's nests on the steep rocks above the Krka River, providing the town with a picturesque appearance. In Ĺ ance by the Kapitelj hill, a part of the compact town walls was preserved. Craft and trade used to be the main economic activities in the initial centuries, enabling the town to bloom. Its promising development was interrupted in the 16 and 17th centuries by fires, the plague, peasant risings and the Turks who did not conquere the town, yet caused a deflection of trade routes, diminishing of economic power and a constant threat to the area. Until recently the square Glavni or Veliki trg represented the main hub of activity in the town, as the Town hall and the most beautiful bourgeois houses can be found in this extensive funnel-shaped square. Its distinctive elements are arcades in ground and first floors of houses and in atriums. The town hall represented the seat of town administration, presided by the town judge and from 19th century onwards the mayor. The first one was built in 1720, but demolished in 1903, making space for the present one constructed at the same spot. The Novo mesto coat of arms is depicted on the face of the building, featuring the image of the founder Rudolph IV of Habsburg. The sculptures of the writer Janez Trdina and the poet Dragotin Kette are located in front of the town hall, a verse of the latter's poem 'Na trgu' being carved on the fountain. When fleeing from the Turks, Franciscans settled in the town in 1472, which is proven by the inscription above the monastery entrance door. In years to come they built a church and a monastery that were rebuilt several times until today. The keystone and the sedilia in the presbytery of St Leonard Church have been preserved from the very foundation. In 1664 the church burnt down. In the 19th century its exterior was renovated in neo-gothic style, the presbytery was painted, whereas the frescos in the church nave date back to 1902. The monastery keeps the oldest library in Novo mesto and three renaissance tombstones. Franciscans played an important part in educating young people. They were entrusted to manage the grammar school, established by Maria Theresa in 1746. A grammar school was thus constructed beside the monastery, today providing space to students of the Marjan Kozina music school. In 1912 a new grammar school was constructed below the Marof Hill to continue the century-long tradition of educating young people in grammar schools.

The veduta of Novo mesto is given its distinctive look by the Kapitelj church, positioned at the highest point of the peninsula. Its architectural importance is due to the magnificent gothic presbytery, its axis dominating the presbytery in a discontinued form. Below the presbytery is a crypt with several inbuilt tombstones. The major sight and valuable of the church is the altar painting of St Nicholas, to whom the church is consecrated, made by the Italian Renaissance painter Jacop Robust Tinttoreto. In 1493 a collegiate chapter church institution was established, comprising the provost and twelve canons. The diocese of Novo mesto was established in 2006. The diocesan building features an extensive library and archive, a gallery of chapter provost paintings, the altar with the Holy Mary of Brno and other church valuables. In the beginning of the 19th century, Novo mesto was administered by the French for a short while as part of the Illyrian provinces. The town was also affected by economic and social developments in Europe, especially in the second half of the 19th century when the national awakening occurred. Numerous national associations were then established for the townsmen to gather, exercise creativity in various fields as well as support the Slovenian idea both morally and financially: The National Reading Club, The Sokol Association, The Fire Brigade Association, The Philharmonic Society. It is our pride that the cornerstone for the first Narodni dom cultural centre in Slovenia was laid in Novo mesto in 1873. Apart form the Glavni trg square, the Narodni dom, later called the Sokolski dom, became the centre of associative and social life in the town. That was also the time of the arrival of train to the town and of the construction of a hospital, the Kandija Bridge and individual public buildings outside the town walls, indicating the expansion of the town in the 20th century. World War I only indirectly affected Novo mesto as a hinterland town. The four years were marked by shortage and the death toll among young boys in the trenches, therefore the relief of the inhabitants after the war, accompanied by a new enthusiasm in various fields, is understandable. This was the time of abundant activity on the Krka River, embracing the town 'as a faithful lover', as the poet Dragotin Kette would refer to it. It is the Krka River that provides the town with a romantic air and in particular maintains the old part as a lovely riverside town. It invites people to its banks in all seasons, enabling them to retreat from the town hustle. Inhabitants of Novo mesto used to spend much time at the riverbanks, having constructed the town mill, a bathing area, boathouses, washing areas, playgrounds and promenades. In recent years the river has been awaiting to be rediscovered. The life of the town is the life of its inhabitants; composed of joy and sadness. World War II in 1941 abruptly interrupted the quotidian rhythm of the town and its inhabitants. Due to air raids Novo mesto was damaged heavily, the human losses being all the worse. Yet the Krka River keeps flowing

onwards, and so does the life beside it. In the second half of the 20th century, the appearance of Novo mesto changed a great deal due to several industrial facilities and increased urbanisation. In this period new educational, medical and cultural institutions were also established in the town. Being familiar with and understanding the history is of key importance for understanding the present and planning the future. Therefore it is important for the town to keep the institutions endeavouring to connect the past and the present. In the area between the Breg and the Kapitelj church, the Dolenjska museum is situated in a complex of buildings, keeping several exhibits. Through its exhibitions, publications, films, museum workshops and other events it enables the visitors to learn about the past of Dolenjska and Novo mesto. Upon the entrance to the town centre, the Miran Jarc Library is situated, without which the research and education in the area would be unthinkable. The Grm castle, where the court splendour has been preserved in the tower hall decorated with 17th century stucco, offers its space to institutions protecting the immovable natural and cultural heritage and to the archive keeping many records of the life of people in this part of Slovenia. The pendulum of a clock never stops, neither does the River Krka. It keeps returning, always a bit different. We believe it takes away the gloom and keeps bringing the freshness of thought and liveliness. While wandering through the town streets with open eyes and hearts you might feel the beauty and distinction of our repeatedly new Novo mesto yourself.

Novo mesto, Kapitelj field, V/35, amber bead with four bird heads, early Iron Age

Archaeological Heritage The archaeological heritage of Novo mesto is most certainly of major importance within its past. It is wellknown throughout Slovenia as well as abroad. Because of this heritage Novo mesto has become an important town on the European archaeological map as it represents one of the most important European prehistoric sites. Its archaeological past based on the Hallstatt era and its unique situla art (placing it at the European archaeological peak) is especially valuable due to its uniqueness, recognition and attractiveness of the town to tourists. It is also a proof that Novo mesto in that era played its most important role in all its known history. There are many exceptional and important finds from the Hallstatt era, which help us understand the European prehistory. The major and most important achievement of situla art are the situlas, which represent the best of Novo mesto's rich archaeological heritage. All Novo mesto situlas are from the 5th and 4th centuries BC. Their number gives evidence of the great economic power of the Hallstatt era aristocracy at the Krka river meander. Due to a quite unified manufacturing style that implements the world of situlas with domestic motifs and due to a large number of these artefacts one can justly assume that Novo mesto used to be one of the main European manufacturing centres. So far this has been the largest common find as there are as many as

Novo mesto, Kandija, IV/3, figuratively decorated bronze situla 1, early Iron Age

nine ornamented situla artefacts, excavated prcisely in Novo mesto – and this is something we are more than entitled to be proud of. Because of all this, on 9th March 2006 the Novo mesto municipality council decided to call Novo mesto a town of situlas. This was solemnly declared at the celebration in honour of Novo mesto municipal festival on 7th April 2006. Cultural Heritage The Novo mesto Narodni dom in Sokolska Street was the first cultural centre of a kind in Slovenia. The foundation stone was laid on 8th June 1873 and this year will see the celebration of 130 years since the start of construction. The festive opening of the building was in November 1875 but the construction by Alfreda Kappner's plans took more than ten years as the House was finalized in 1885. The reason for such a long construction period was difficulties in obtaining financial resources. But in spite of its lengthy construction, the Novo mesto Narodni dom was the first of a kind in Slovenia. Ljubljana got one as late as 1896, Celje in 1897, Maribor in 1899 and Trieste in 1904. The Narodni dom is a cultural monument. Performing Arts Anton Podbevšek Theatre was founded in May 2005 after many years of endeavours and several failed attempts to start a professional theatre in Novo mesto. On 28th September 2006 the Novo mesto municipal council accepted the decree regarding the foundation of the Novo mesto theatre. With this decree the theatre was renamed Anton Podbevšek Teater, or in short: APT. However, the Novo mesto theatre history cannot be viewed through the prism of the public institution's one year activity, but through the eyes of all who have acted in favour of the Novo mesto theatre – since the premiere of Linhart's »Matiček« more than 150 years ago until the present day. This history is exceptionally colourful. It speaks of the enthusiasm of amateur actors, directors, scenic workers and all who lived for the theatre in Novo mesto. It also speaks of the relations of the majority towards the theatre, of not being able to go that extra mile that could have resulted in founding a professional theatre thirty of fifty years ago, as was the case in other Slovenian towns (Jesenice, Celje, Kranj...). Even with this seemingly successful attempt it once again became obvious that the fiercest opposition with regard to founding and placing a theatre within this cultural area comes from the cultural sphere itself. The Anton Podbevšek Teater is the youngest Slovenian theatre producing performances in the field of modern theatre, children's theatre, modern dance and musical. APT productions are tied to art forms within the performing arts themselves. This means that aesthetic and spectacle functions are the inner conditions of theatre culture, which as arts-unto-itself synthesizes literature, dance, music, architecture, painting and film… Theatre is an integral art. Its distinguishing line (as compared to other types of art) is the presence of live acting, which can never be a re-run of

the »already seen« or »not-yet-seen«. APT is an institution of Novo mesto and Dolenjska identity, its main objective being an equal appearance in »theatre battlefields« of modern European art and the establishment of an original and autonomous cultural form and gesture within the local regional cultural, economic and ethnographic context. The Anton Podbevšek Teater should develop a richness of genre (musical, drama and post-drama theatre, children's theatre and dance theatre), its objective being both mass and elite culture. From autumn until spring APT will be developing pedagogics in the frame of the Academy, where masters of stage speech and performance, modern dance and direction will lecture high-school students on skills, which will be presented in the form of a public production at the end of the »workshop«. Apart from performing arts The Anton Podbevšek Teater will comprise an art cinema, a photo gallery and an Academy – all of these being connected to the establishment of new organizational structures and links among individual activities and places. High attendance is expected also due to the fact that the broader regions of Dolenjska, Bela Krajina, Kočevsko and Zasavje are poorly covered with professional cultural institutions – especially those dealing with »live« culture. There is no professional theatre in the above-mentioned region – the gap is covered by guest performances by other Slovenian theatres. A part of the audience attends theatre productions in other Slovenian towns, mostly in Ljubljana. This refers to an exceptionally large geographical area and one of the potentially largest »pools« of audience that the Novo mesto professional theatre could attract. Photography On a yearly basis the Fotopub production consists of the Photographic experience competition (an international competition of the European Council Directorate for cultural heritage on the topic of cultural heritage for young amateur photographers – with LokalPatriot as the national coordinator), Fotopub Workshop (the only education for amateur and professional photographers of the kind in Slovenia, at the highest possible level), Fotopub Festival (size- and quality-wise certainly top Slovenian photographic festival) with “Tribuna” (a theoretical debate session on problems, opportunities and challenges in the field of documentary photography) and “Četrtkova nagrada” ("Thursday Prize" for a documentary photo story) as well as Fotopub Catalogue (one of the few annual synoptic photographic catalogues in Slovenia). Music Jazzinity International workshop and concert cycles (executed by the LokalPatriot institution) are among the few and by all accounts best productions of such kind nationally, planning a further expansion of the production into Europe and the world (www.jazzinty.com). On a yearly basis the Jazzinty production consists of the Jazzinty Abonma, jazz subscription concert series with a touch of deficitary and

genre-wise overlooked kinds of music, similar to jazz, Jazzinty Workshop as one of the few, yet best, educational programs for amateur and professional jazz musicians in Slovenia, Jazzinty Festival, certainly the leading Slovenian jazz festival as regards the size and performer quality, as well as added value including education, socializing and meeting point, and Jazzon, competition for the best Slovenian jazz composition which is slowly becoming international – for now limited to the Balkans region as Jazzon Adria. Youth Culture Rock Otočec is a mid-sized European festival with a 10year tradition, covering Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, southern Hungary, southern Austria and northeastern Italy with the annual attendance of 20,000 visitors. Rock Otočec is widely recognized in the area of former Yugoslavia and well known in the European professional music sphere. Music competitions are held in Slovenia, Croatia, BosniaHerzegovina, Hungary, Austria and Italy, where young bands are chosen to perform at the festival.

Novo mesto, Dolenjska museum and the town church

Rock Otočec festival in Novo mesto

Novo mesto, the castle group

Ptuj Ptuj is often referred to as a town-museum which is due to its age and rich cultural heritage of the past centuries. Ptuj represents a fine example of a continuous settlement of at least 4000 years. Such a long period enables historians to follow on the micro-level the way of life and type of activities of people who lived here, as well as their creativity, and ups and downs. At the same time, these Âťmicro-activitiesÂŤ have always been part of a wider social context and subjected to various political, economical and cultural influences which in return shaped and changed them. The most ancient settlers known to us were the first ones to choose for their settlement a natural site on the last slopes descending towards the Drava River before the flatland starts. In antiquity the Romans built here the most important town in the entire region (what is now Slovenia). The town called Colonia U lpia T raiana Poetovio was the leading centre of a wider region. During other historic periods, Ptuj was also an important military, trade and agricultural centre. Thanks to its rich cultural and natural heritage, Ptuj has become an important tourist destination visited by people from all over the world. Being aware of its heritage, the town strives to look after it also through its various professionalcultural institutions, such as museums, galleries, libraries, archives, theatres, as well as numerous societies and associations, all of them covering a wide range of different activities (collections, exhibitions, performances, workshops, etc.) in order to make culture and cultural heritage accessible to all. The majestic cultural heritage combined with well preserved natural environment, today both existing in harmony with a modern man and their culture, enable Ptuj to continue on the basis of knowledge and past experiences its mission in a balanced way, as it inherited it from its ancestors, and to allow each period to leave here its own prints. Poetoviona Roman Town on the Drava River The antique archaeological heritage of Poetoviona in its importance reaches far beyond local and national boundaries. The Roman town on the Drava River acquired its importance during the heyday of the Roman Empire, due to the strategic geographical situation at the intersection of roads leading north and south, east and west. Everything known and discovered in the then civilised world was concentrated in Poetoviona. With a clever use of natural resources, the then inhabitants of Poetoviona produced a wide array of different products selling the surplus to other

Ptuj

towns and regions. The present project aim is to establish a link with all participating towns: Slovenj Gradec, Maribor, Novo Mesto, Murska Sobota and Ptuj, by the means of Roman roads, which used to exist and on which an important amount of various goods used to be carried. This will be achieved through exhibitions, workshops and seminars. The original items will serve as models for production of souvenirs to be sold to tourists, which will contribute to a better tourist offer in the town. Adequate preservation and presentation measures applied to movable and unmovable archaeological heritage will help preserve the material cultural evidence for later generations. The Middle Ages Following the Path of The Lords of Ptuj The development of medieval Ptuj was based on continuous settlements from antiquity onwards, benefiting from the ideal strategic and transport position. The medieval settlement partly followed the design of the antique topography, while town walls were erected in the middle of the 13th century due to the Huns raids. The castle of Ptuj was rebuilt in 1130 by the bishop of Salzburg, and entrusted to his minister Friderik, who thus gained the name of Friderik Ptujski. For more than 300 years the Lords of Ptuj had played an important role in terms of politics, economy and religion on the southeastern part of the German empire. Thanks to them Ptuj developed not only the economy, for which the archbishop of Salzburg was partly responsible, but became an important medieval cultural and artistic centre. The Lords of Ptuj very soon started to increase their possessions and participate in the political life. They founded various monasteries; they acted as donators and builders of sacred and secular buildings. Their support enabled many monuments that today rank among best examples of gothic art in Slovenia in terms of architecture, sculpture and wall painting. A few of such monuments are: Castle of Ptuj, Dominican monastery, Minorite monastery, Town Parish Church of St George, in the surroundings: castles in Velika Nedelja and Ormož, pilgrimage church in Ptujska Gora, the former presbytery of St Martin church in Hajdina. The aim of the project Following the Path of the Lords of Ptuj is to outline the cultural-tourist-pilgrimage road linking all the above-mentioned monuments through an activities programme. Activities would include the historical and artistic research, entertainment for families and tourist groups, and the like. Therefore the programme can be completed or carried out together with other cultural and tourist programmes. Cultural Forum Centre of Modern Creativity The abandoned parking lot on Potrčeva Street is the ideal place for the construction of an attractive architectural object with the name Cultural Forum, which will host programmes resembling the ones in the Centre George Pompidou, such as mediateque, performance, exhibition and VIP rooms, the cultural centre, art shops, congress halls, the

garage, artistic cafes and restaurants, and the like. The project will help revitalise the shabby open space right at the entrance to the old town centre. The newly created Cultural Forum will definitely become a centre of social as well as of artistic life. The Ristovec Mansion Ptuj is known as a town surrounded by numerous mansions from more or less far; one among them is the mansion Ristovec. Ristovec is situated in the flatland east of Ptuj, in the settlement of Brstje pri Ptuju. Ristovec is a type of mansion that is rarely found in the region, for it represents the so-called »mansion on water«. Once surrounded by now a completely dried-out pond, (the entire complex was surrounded by a shallow though wide square ditch), and a century ago accessible by carefully designed drive-way bordered by lime and poplar trees, the mansion represents a one-storey building with a seven-axes ground plan built in the form of the letter L. The mansion is of rather humble dimensions, but it has managed to preserve its appearance from the 17th century on, while its southern part originates from the 16th century. Preservation measures: the cultural monument – the mansion on water – has been preserved in its authentic shape. The only works allowed to be carried out are meant to preserve and display its architectural structure and its immediate vicinity, and to increase its importance as a monument. The actual use of the mansion (subsidised flats) is detrimental and inadequate for such a building. The mansion could be used for catering purposes, which would allow a proper use and presentation of rare architectural elements, and adequate use of the monument with its surroundings comprising a water course. Suggested new, modern use is the centre for cultural heritage, arts and tourism. The Ptuj library proposes to form in the mansion an information network of the Lower Podravje region covering different fields. The aim is to put the network in service of various private and public entities on local, regional and also national levels. Gathering information as well as weekly and monthly clippings should facilitate the access to different sources of information, knowledge and skills. To ensure more intense and knowledge-based development, and to disseminate knowledge from professional circles to industry and vice versa, the contemporary tempo of life demands the so-called »intermediate« centre that selects relevant information for a particular user and draws attention to. Youth House The City of Ptuj will put the building of the municipal cinema at disposal of the youth and their cultural creativity. Young people in Ptuj who show their creativity in various fields want to develop their talents and know-how especially in different types of art and creativity, such as music, dance, puppets, painting, photography and multi-media. Their creativity and work will positively influence their peers, and at the same time the young creators will be able to participate with

their work in a certain number of events organised by the Municipality. The Youth House will become a regional centre for the youth from the entire Lower Podravje region. During 2012, the Youth House will organise twelve monthly festivals with regard to various artistic and creation fields, staging young artists from Slovenia and abroad. Each festival will comprise workshops dedicated to creativity and art, as well as exchanges of experience and dissemination of knowledge. The purpose of these festivals is to incite young people to be creative and to develop their own talents. Festivals will also promote arts and culture in general, and will have strong impact on the awareness of the meaning of culture and arts in the society. Festivals will also have impact on tourism. Due to different information channels (various media, internet, international youth organisations etc.), a considerable number of people will be informed about the activity, either as participants (call for proposals, participation forms), or as visitors. All festivals will have a particularly emphasised »follow-up« phase in order to organise them even better after 2012, while the concept and best practice of the year-round multi-disciplinary festivals will be shared with other European countries. Mithraism in Ptuj Ptuj, one of the most picturesque towns in Slovenia, boasts an extremely rich historical legacy and rare archaeological findings dating back to prehistoric times. The antiquity and the Romans' presence in the region left here an important mark. Among various archaeological excavations, five temples dedicated to the god Mithras, discovered between 1898 and 1987, are probably best known even abroad. They are related to the extraordinary heritage of the late Roman civilisation, and their quality as well as their condition can compete with finest temples of the Mithras cult, for their well-preserved interior contributes enormously to a better understanding of this antique religion. Excavations and discoveries of Mithras shrines in Ptuj started at the end of the 19th century. In 1898 the Mithras shrine I was unearthed in Zgornja Hajdina; nowadays it is protected by a concrete construction. It represents one of the oldest shrines in European Roman provinces, built in the 2nd century by employees of the Illyrian tollhouse, and when it became too small for all devotees, they built another one in its immediate vicinity – the Mithras shrine II, discovered in 1900. The Mithras shrine III was unearthed in 1913 in Zgornji Breg, where used to be a residential area. The Mithras shrine IV was on the left riverbank. Already in 1886 Permerstein found the writing on the spot of the today's museum, and in 1957 foundations of the Mithras shrine were discovered. In 1987 the Mithras shrine V was found in the town centre. Planned activities: international symposium on Mithraism, archaeological research, reconstruction of the Mithras shrine II, to be found nowadays in the Lapidary of the Regional Museum Ptuj, international exhibition on Mithraism – comparison between Mithras shrines from Ptuj and those from entire Europe, promotional material, souvenirs.

Ptuj, pillory

Sacred Art

Ptuj, Dominican monastery

Ptuj as a sub-regional centre with its rich millennia-old cultural heritage has always built its development also on the sacred art. The relationship between the sacred and everyday life drove man to focus their artistic impulse on the visual materialisation of the former in his search to make it tangible. Such attempts can be seen in Mithras temples, dating back to antiquity, in the church in Ptujska Gora also known as the pearl of church architecture, in Dominican and Minorite monasteries. Through centuries the obvious relationship with the sacred has been expressed in words and music being inseparable parts of everyday life in liturgy, in family and in social life. Special emphasis will be put on sacred fine art, sacred music (folk music, liturgy) and on pilgrimage roads which lead through or will be developed through the Podravje region. Ethnology The ethnologic tradition represents the main attraction and distinction of urban and rural centres in Europe. Especially in the region of Lower Podravje, an important number of various types of heritage and locally different cultures closely linked to the way of life and work of people has been preserved. Numerous traditions, such as the carnival tradition, have got a common European origin, and as such bear witness to our common historical origin and interdependence. Among all these different traditions, the tradition of carnival figures and masks distinguishes itself in its extremely rich and varied forms, while a number of celebrations is linked to working and seasonal habits and customs. These types of heritage form the basis for the development of numerous potential heritages, cultural and artistic projects as an alternative to modern ways of life in the future inspired by heritage.

Ptuj castle, courtyard

Aims of the project: popularisation of local traditions within the scope of restoration and rebuilding of specialised museums and galleries; networking of local and regional events with ethnologic themes; integration of different traditions into modern forms of creation (arts, design...); developing attractive tourist programmes based on ethnological traditions; organising regional, national and international folklore and ethnographic events (Kurentovanje carnival in Ptuj, Folkart in Lent, Maribor). Culture of Wine and Gastronomy The culture of wine has been present in Ptuj and its surroundings since antiquity (Roman Poetoviona, wine trade in the Middle Ages but also in the later period; in the 14th and 15th centuries there was a strong competition among wine merchants in the Ĺ tajerska region â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Maribor, Ptuj, Slovenska Bistrica, Radgona); more than a hundredyear wine cellar tradition in Ptuj (Lords of Ptuj, Dominican and Minorite monasteries, wine merchants of Ptuj). The 19th and 20th centuries represent an intensive period of replanting vineyards, educating wine-producers, of trainings in agriculture, and of trade development. The culture of wine has left a strong mark on the general aspect of villages,

towns and the region, on the way of life and thinking, of which numerous objects belonging to cultural heritage bear witness. The culture of wine is very closely linked to specific eating habits, to celebration menus etc. The significance and tradition of agriculture can also be seen in poultry production, pig breeding, production of potatoes, onion etc. originating more than a century ago. Aims of the project: programme integration of all objects bearing witness to cultural and natural heritage concerning the culture of wine and gastronomy (wine cellars, sacred objects); development of specialised walking and cycling paths; development of cultural programmes in wine cellars; development of a central regional wine collection in the granary-house at the Ptuj castle, its networking with local collections and particularities; the heritage of wine-growing and wine-production considered as a challenge to new modern ways of creativity (fashion, arts, architecture); events dedicated to wine, gastronomy and culture in objects of cultural heritage; revitalisation of hundred-year old inns and of their culinary offer.

Ptuj, Mithraic temple

Ptuj Open Town Festival Ptuj – open town, organised by the Povod association for mind recreation, is held at the end of summer and set on streets, backyards and squares in the town. The Festival was first organised in 2002 aiming at making the streets of the oldest town in Slovenia livelier. Since then, the Festival has been organised every year proving that rich architectural heritage can be an ideal stage for street performances, theatre, musicians, dancers, puppets, mimes, painters, graffiti-artists, and others. Streets and squares of Ptuj are an ideal stage for cultural, artistic and fair events. At the same time, these events give the town a special “energy” and incite a pleasant atmosphere. All events within the Festival Ptuj – open town are free of charge and open to everybody. The concept of Ptuj-open town offers a way of life in a town where everyday cultural and artistic happening becomes something normal. Ars Petoviana Music Festival Various concerts with an emphasis on classical music will be performed each year; in 2007 there will be six different concerts. In this way possibilities and conditions for a festival will be created, and the event will take place every year from 2008 on. The Festival is designed to promote music art in Ptuj and in Slovenia in general through understanding of and interest for this type of music. Each year the Arsana Society together with the Regional Museum Ptuj organises concerts of classical music performed by national and foreign wellknown artists; concerts take place in the Ceremonies Hall at the castle of Ptuj. Aim: to organise concerts more often and to create stronger bonds with performers would represent a solid basis for and contents of a festival. It would equally represent the opportunity for different types of music and performers.

Ptuj, the ‘kurent’ figure

Slovenj Gradec Slovenj Gradec, the cultural and administrative centre of the modern Koroška region, is a city of an honourable medieval tradition, combining the rich heritage of the past with the contemporary rhythm. The town on the Mislinja River is a synonym for a small, yet internationally known cultural centre, having established its prominence widely outside its homeland as a United Nations Peace Messenger City. Regional institutions of cultural heritage protection and promotion (Carinthian Regional Museum, Koroška Gallery of Fine Arts) and intermunicipal public cultural institutions (House of Culture, Ksaver Meško library, Youth Cultural Centre, Music school) as well as some other cultural actors (associations, galleries, private museum collections...) are the holders of a widespread network of rich cultural life in the municipality and wider region. By realizing the programmes within the European Capital of Culture 2012 project, Slovenj Gradec with its surroundings will upgrade its previous activity. The construction of infrastructure will create appropriate conditions for more demanding contents of higher quality in the sense of project integration and cooperation as well as develop additional potentials, especially in cooperation with the economy (services), tourist activities (spas, cultural tourism, rural tourism), education (university programmes) etc. This will be done by making use of strategic opportunities provided by regional and cross-border cooperation. Being small in geographical terms, Slovenia is forced into a sensible polycentric development also in cultural area, which naturally leads into regional partnership within the Slovenian North-eastern cohesion region with regard to planning development programmes and using EU structural and other funds. When planning the contents of individual projects within cultural programmes and investments, we relate to the established programmes of the narrow local and wider regional identities that will be rendered even more recognizable with innovative creative approaches. By promoting less developed potentials through creating a long-term effect we will integrate these identities with business, tourist and educational strategies of municipal and regional development (Regional development programme, long-term Noordung development programme) as well as interregional integrations, particularly within the North-eastern Slovenia cohesion area. In this regard programmes relate to one common thematic reference, symbolized by the title of Energy. The Slovenj Gradec

municipality together with holders of the European Capital of Culture 2012 programme will coordinate three thematic areas: global culture of peace, science and culture as well as youth culture. Global Culture of Peace Since 1989 Slovenj Gradec has held the honorary title United Nations Peace Messenger City, having been one of the most active members of the International Association of Peace Messenger Cities and a member of Executive Board of this important non-governmental organization. Aim: to integrate European (possibly also World) Peace Messenger Cities into a unified network promoting the culture of peace and non-aggression within the envisaged cultural project. The action would complete in 2012 with a simultaneous event in all European Peace Messenger Cities (which are mainly European capitals: Lisbon, Vienna, Prague, Copenhagen, Rome, Moscow, Saint Petersburg etc.) and in Slovenian cities that are the holders of ECOC programme. Science and Culture Science and culture (art), integrated into an inseparable whole, represent the paradigm of utopian projections of the 21st century life; which is embodied by the Slovenian multimedia artist Dragan Živadinov, inexhaustibly inspired by the pioneering technological research spirit of Herman Potočnik Noordung, whose origins are in the surroundings of Slovenj Gradec. Connections between research and artistic creativity are reflected in numerous interdisciplinary projects of Slovenian and international artists, opening up the horizons of a technological knowledge-based future society in a visionary manner. Aim: using a pilot multimedia project of international magnitude to draw attention to the positive utopia of the triumph of technology and culture as ethical awareness of sustainable social development in the sense of integral comprehension of the universe, ecological planet-wide consciousness, seeking pure energy sources as well as the culture of peace, harmony and cooperation. Youth Culture Organized forms of the so-called youth culture have established specific forms of youth participation, which is evident in various tightly connected areas (music, visual and

63 Slovenj Gradec

intermedia arts, performing arts, literature, science, popular culture...). They are marked by mastering the so-called new technologies, opening up new alternative visions of the world and life. Aim: to design projects within Youth cultural centres network and regional multimedia centres that will reflect the specifics of youth culture and alternative cultural (artistic) practices of the current social moment. Cultural Heritage

Slovenj Gradec, the Mestni trg square by night

Slovenj Gradec, the Mestni trg square

Aims: to emphasize the preserved ancient nature of the Koroška region and its rich tissue of architectural heritage monuments (sacral monuments – churches: Uršlja gora, the Slovenian church at the highest altitude; profane monuments – castles, manors, urban centres) and folk buildings (specific wooden buildings of Koroška farms: granary, mills, sawmills) as well as the concurrent legacy of industrial development (technical and industrial architectural heritage); to promote the wealth of intangible cultural heritage (folk songs, folk music, legacy, tales and legends – King Matjaž...); to promote the oldest traces of human civilisation in the region (archaeological heritage); crossborder cooperation (particularly with existing partner cities); to encourage a respectful attitude towards natural and cultural heritage (draw up projects to preserve heritage monuments and establish new appropriate programmes for them); to preserve the wealth of unspoiled nature and the ancient rhythm of the magnificent Mislinja valley surrounded by green forests as well as the complete Koroška region; to protect specific urban values of cities, towns and their surroundings as well as of recognizable views of the countryside with picturesque villages in valleys and at brinks of the hilly Pohorje, Kozjak, Uršlja gora and Peca; to present and promote the fine monuments of sacral and profane architecture as well as ethnological heritage of rural buildings; noble recognition of artistic legacy of the past and its inclusion in the identity of the municipality/region and in cultural tourism development (events, festivals, symposia, meetings). Performing Arts, Music Slovenj Gradec is the birthplace of Hugo Wolf, the genius composer of late Romantic lieder and an impressive personality of the fin-de-siecle Vienna and Central European lands. With his unusual and tragic story of the "damned" artist, he has lately been attracting immense attention of the expert public as well as fans who see in him "the last Romantic artist/composer". Many Hugo Wolf associations in Europe, the USA, Canada and even Japan have been promoting the artist's work and remembrance.

Rotenturm castle, Slovenj Gradec

Aims: to rearrange the composer's birthplace into the Hugo Wolf memorial museum and Hugo Wolf international documentation centre (in cooperation with and supported by the International association of Hugo Wolf Societies), to form an integral tourist product of promoting and marketing Slovenj Gradec as the hometown of Hugo Wolf; to construct

infrastructure for major music events (concerts, international competitions) within the investment into Hugo Wolf multimedia centre in Slovenj Gradec. Visual Arts, Arts and Crafts The Koroška Gallery of Fine Arts is one of the central Slovenian institutions for contemporary fine arts; with a strong presence in international environment for decades. During the ECOC 2012 the gallery will execute resounding projects in visual and multimedia arts in cooperation with international partners. For a number of years Slovenj Gradec has been the holder of the prominent national biennial exhibition of Slovenian arts and crafts.

events are planned for the neighbouring municipalities in the region (Ravne na Koroškem: folk construction heritage and industrial architectural heritage, Dravograd: cultural and historical importance of the Drava river...). The municipality of Slovenj Gradec and programme holders (project team) will coordinate the thematic set "Global culture of peace" for all ECOC venues. Individual projects will be integrated into thematic sets that are coordinated by other ECOC partners. The municipality of Slovenj Gradec will invite its partner cities from Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy and Japan into the preparation of individual projects in Slovenj Gradec and at other venues, as their cooperation in the field of culture has been very prolific for many years.

The Koroška Gallery of Fine Arts programme during the ECOC 2012 will be a kind of a synthesis of all previous efforts of the gallery and of its programme bases, at the same time forming the development strategy for the future. The traditional biennial exhibition of Slovenian arts and crafts will grow by 2012 into a pan-European exhibition/presentation/ promotion of such activities. Literature The culture of literary creation has always been very strong in Slovenj Gradec and in the Koroška region, which is particularly visible in the resounding periodical literary magazine Odsevanja and in the activity of some local noncommercial publishing houses (Voranc publishing, Cerdonis publishing). In recent years, a prominent Slovenian annual event, the Urška Festival for the promotion of young Slovenian literature, has been established in Slovenj Gradec by the Slovenian Public Fund for Cultural Activities. Aim: to establish the Urška festival by 2012 as an international (European) meeting of young, not yet established writers, and to organize the traditional event in September as a "street theatre of the triumph of poetry and literature by young Europeans" with stage-music events in Slovenj Gradec old city centre and some surrounding venues (Castle above Slovenj Gradec, Vodriž castle ruins, St George old Christian church). Programme Concept The basis for envisaged projects relates to ongoing activities of cultural institutions (public institutions): Koroška Gallery of Fine Arts, Carinthian Regional Museum, Slovenj Gradec House of Culture, Youth Cultural Centre and activities of some established associations: Hugo Wolf Slovenj Gradec Society, Odsevanje Association, Unesco Club Slovenj Gradec, Kronos Project (Youth Cultural Centre); and to reference lines that are stated in the Regional development programme (especially investments). Specific Features The majority of cultural events is planned to be executed in venues in Slovenj Gradec and its close surroundings where institutions – holders of particular programmes – are gathered as well. However, as much as possible, specific

Slovenj Gradec Fine Arts Gallery

Velenje Following the initiative of the City of Maribor and its partner organizations from Ptuj that officially addressed a proposition of cooperation in the mutual project of nomination for the European Capital of Culture 2012 to the Municipality of Velenje, the mayor appointed an operative group of coordinators with the following tasks: coordination between the main organization and other members, providing information to experts, presenting suggestions to the Municipality of Velenje and carrying out operative assignments. They determined the manner of work and prepared suggestions for the organizational structure. The coordinating group prepared a set of public presentations about the context of the public tender and then began to gather materials. The ideas and expectations were collected in a brain-storming action (30 participants), developmental projects of the local economic and social subjects were collected through an analysis of the collective document Regional developmental program for the Savinjska region 2007– 2013 and the SAŠA region 2007–2013 (70 projects), programme concepts and aims in the cultural field were provided in total by the directors of cultural organizations and coordinators from individual fields. It is sensible to connect and combine the inner needs of individuals regarding progress through direct actions. For the Municipality of Velenje the ECOC project is not merely its goal, but also a tool for achieving a longterm development of the town and the region, and is already dealt with in the Local cultural programme 2004–2007, which was adopted by the Council of the Municipality of Velenje. To combine visions in these matters and in forming the visions of the town, what we want to achieve and how is equally important. In the Slovenian sphere Velenje stands out as a young town with a powerful and vigorous industrial branch and in the context of the European Capital of Culture as a town of energy as well. An area structurally marked to this extent can through culture and cultural partnerships meet the developmental challenges waiting ahead with an attitude that is friendly to the people and the environment. The Municipality of Velenje has developed several cultural institutions in a relatively short period of time in the second half of the previous century. However, it has also been marked by the recent five-year period,

Velenje

Literature

in which Velenje renovated and modernized its mayor cultural facilities. Through programmes and individual initiative the city is present in the majority of cultural and artistic fields. Within the ECOC 2012 project Velenje takes onto itself the coordination of activities in the field of children’s programmes, industrial heritage and literature. In a mutual project we recognize the possibility to connect individual programmes more effectively into new, larger and more qualitative units in order to increase their value and after all to achieve better economic results. According to the geographical extensiveness of the project we see an opportunity for placing already developed programmes into the European sphere. Industrial Heritage The space of our cities and settlements was crucially coformed by industry in the last 200 hundred years. This is what happed in Velenje as well, where the main organizers and co-creators of urban development are the Velenje Coalmine and the Gorenje company (naturally other smaller companies provide for the valley's development as well). Velenje is mostly recognized for these two economic giants. Industrial heritage is in most cases perceived as something negative. It is our goal to present to the public that industrial heritage is a part of our cultural heritage (this perception of industrial heritage is slowly forming within the Slovenian and European region), as a heritage that hides its potential within. By revitalizing buildings and the landscape we are creating a new and innovative environment. Through various artistic approaches, vast knowledge and representation of good work practices (home and foreign) we are trying to present the industrial heritage to the people as a new chance for the valley's development.

The organization Velenje Book Foundation (UVKF) carries out the Herberstein meeting of Slovenian writers, a traditional and annual meeting in the field of literary culture. The festival, where the international and prestigious Pretnar award is given to ambassadors of Slovenian literature from all over the world, is quite acknowledged among writers. Respected literary-cultural projects are established in cooperation with the Slovenian Writers’ Association, the Slovenian PEN Center, the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Faculty of Arts, main Slovenian writers’ organization, festivals etc. Among other things UVKF is a concessionaire of the Slovenian Writers’ Association regional board, founder and publisher of the first Slovenian poetry journal Poetikon (primarily intended for the Slovenian and translational poetry of the 21st century); two awards were established from this review project, namely the Goblet of Immortality (Čaša Nesmrtnosti) awarded for hundred topmost Slovenian verses by the Poetic Slovenia Academy that takes place on the World Poetry Day (March 21) and Herberstein Gold (Herbersteinski Zlat) awarded for the topmost poetry translation. Aims: to combine and upgrade already established and new literary-cultural projects of UVKF in cooperation with associated partner organizations of the ECOC 2012 at the European level and to establish new literary-cultural projects; European Reading Medal; to establish an international asylum point for European writers (International Asylum for European writers in Velenje); to establish the Artist Residence of European Writers in Velenje. Children's Programmes Velenje is probably best known for its Pippi Longstocking (Pikin festival), a children’s festival that has been bringing joy to and connecting children from all over Slovenia for 17 years

The Velenje coalmine

in a row now. The festival is intended for children and their parents. The main activities of the festival are Pippi Creative Workshops, but there are also many excellent theatre events performed by professional theatres and also children and amateur theatres and dance groups. Within the festival we are also establishing connections with Elementary schools from abroad. Besides this Velenje offers numerous children programmes and other activities intended for children, who should always be cherished. Aim: to unite and appropriately present the already existing activities in the field of children's programmes; to expand international cooperation (children exchange); to build infrastructure in the TRC Jezero area for open-air concerts and the Pippi Festival. Performing Arts The Velenje Library consists of two units: the library unit and the events unit. Both units have covered their own activity fields since 1975 (the Ivan Napotnik Cultural Centre Velenje was established in the same year). The Velenje Library and the Cultural Centre are both run by the Velenje Library Institution. In addition to its basic activity the library organizes various events. The unit in charge of events organizes all kind of performances, cultural events and is developing its own production (puppet shows, dance activities…).

The Velenje lake

The main strategic goal of the event unit is to develop and promote its own production in the fields of dance, puppet shows and multimedia. Besides the basic and typical activity of a library one of the main strategic goals of the library unit is to prepare quality events in connection with books that could unite writers and readers from Velenje, Slovenia and abroad. Music The first music school in Velenje – the society music school – was established in June 1952 within the association of Delavsko-prosvetno društvo Svoboda Velenje and operated at first in a cinema. Good starting-points, clearly visible in Velenje nowadays due to a rapid development into an industrial centre, were crucial for the population growth, which consequently led to an increase in the interest in cultural work and thus musical education. Because the school has so much space at its disposal it is appropriate for hosting larger competitions, reviews and summer schools. When organs were introduced into the high-school programme the music school in Velenje became the first school in Slovenia to offer education in all instruments, on the elementary and high-school level (piano, percussion instruments, guitar, singing, organs, harp, harmonica, violin, viola, cello, contrabass, horn, trumpet, trombone, tube and other wind instruments, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon). Aims: International Piano Seminar under the guidance of L. Baranyaya (annual), International Organ School (annual), International Violin School Igor Ozimo (biennial); Review of brass orchestras of Slovenian music schools (biennial),

Klasirnica, the Velenje coalmine

The Velenje castle

Review of string orchestras of Slovenian music schools (biennial); International competition of brass orchestra, International competition of harp players; The Competition of young Slovenian musicians – regional (annual). Museums The Coalmining Museum of Velenje features 11 museum collections, two of which, the František Foit African Collection and the mastodon paleontological collection, are collections that surpass the local sphere and could therefore be interesting to the wider European public. In the past year the Coalmining Museum of Velenje organized expert guide tours through the castles in the Šalek Valley within the project Days of European cultural heritage. Similar programs for experts and general public could be organized within the European Capital of Culture 2012 project as well. The Kavčnik House in Zavodnje at Šoštanj is the southernmost preserved smokehouse in Europe. The building itself is the pearl of Slovenian folk architecture and as a whole it can serve as a place for various ethnologic events (for instance Midsummer Night, weddings…). Aims: to present and emphasize specific and interesting characteristics of the material and intangible heritage of the Šalek Valley to the wider Slovenian and European public. Visual Arts Velenje is an example of a modern town whose development was mainly influenced by industrialization and visionary decisions. Many unique buildings were designed, such as the Cultural Centre, Delavska Univerza with the Delavski Klub restaurant, the Kristlov blok apartment building and undoubtedly the Miklošič Gallery, which became a centre of modern art in the last year (visual, design and architectural art). Visual arts are built upon the foundations of known artists (Ivan Napotnik, Ciril Cesar, Alojz Zavolovšek, Majda Kurnik), who are bound to the city, and numerous emerging artists, who are still establishing themselves. The local economy and especially the Gorenje design centre are surely good associates for establishing a design centre in the Velenje Gallery that covers the SaŠa region and could expand into the European sphere. By setting up a centre of modern arts we can successfully continue our promotion of local and world artists that could cooperate internationally with their projects in the fields of modern art, design and architecture, thus placing themselves into the universal sphere. Through the promotion and tourist projects, gallery investments and the supporting infrastructure Velenje could be recognized as a modern city with a soul full of art, design and architecture.

film and video production. Several local authors received awards for their creative achievements at home and abroad. Several important Slovenian artists in the field of film and video production come from the Šalek Valley (director Andrej Mlakar, actor Marko Mandič) and the city prides itself in two cinemas in the Paka Hotel. Aims: to bring film art closer to the people in Velenje, the Šalek Valley, the region, Slovenia and European Union; to establish the conditions for regularly showing the most important European films in Velenje; to ensure the conditions for further development of film production of local authors; to promote achievements of local artists to the widest circle of people. Youth Culture The youth cultural production is supported by many public, semi-public and private institutions. As regards the content many fields are included, such as literature, scene art, music, visual and intermedia art. The infrastructure necessary for the activities is developed and the human resources and activities are integrated into regional and national areas or networks. The mission of the youth centre is mainly to offer a place for youth work and general social acceptability and inclusion of the youth, to promote and organize youth work in the fields of free-time activities of the youth – through festivals we combine many goals both economic and other – to activate human resources, to use modern technologies, to spread knowledge through the use of technology and introduce them into the economy. The programme of the European Capital of Culture project offers a great possibility for Velenje to include outside partner organizations into existing activities and users. For this to be done the right conditions have to be established, especially in the field of infrastructure, namely low-price accommodation or youth hostels. Aims: to establish the Kunigunda youth culture festival as a festival that can function in a wider European sphere. In the coming period we plan to encourage the increase of festival activities and their expansion. In phase one we plan to establish a youth centre within the state and the region and in phase two we plan to extend our operating area into the wider European sphere, mainly through co-production connections. As a support program we plan to establish new youth infrastructure, a youth hostel and a day youth centre.

Film The cinema is the first facility intended for culture that the residents of Velenje built through voluntary work. That is why the film art has such a long tradition in the history of the modern city of Velenje. Velenje does not have a longterm tradition only in film art, but also in the field of amateur

energy - transience between different forms and states, duality and tension between the material and virtual

71 Theo Botschuijver: Inflatable Structures, the Maribor city park, 2004

Programme Outline

The problem code is culture–energy–ecology. The interregional programme concept is based on drawing a path, networking, mapping and connecting fragmentary entities. One of the goals with regard to digital media is a multimedia compact disc, an informational, educational disc that presents the whole cultural image of the Eastern Cohesion, in historical as well as contemporary terms. City, urban, historical, cultural, festival, ethnological, art, interregional, cross-border, culinary, oenological, sports and other connections and paths combine into a wholesome experience, behaviour and knowledge of the particularities of this specific part of Europe. The paths connect into a network and the networks into a network of networks, because pure energy requires patterns, through which it can travel. Energy consists of a connected circle of two opposite directions, which combine into one. Health-resort tourism is the strongest tourist branch in Slovenia (Banovci, Lendava, Moravske toplice, Ptujske toplice, Podčetrtek, Dobrna, Rogaška Slatina, Zreče, Čateške toplice etc.)

Maribor’s candidacy encompasses at least 4000 years of history of an interregional area of the Eastern Cohesion of Slovenia, which in historical, cultural and geographical point of view lies on the intersection of various Euro-Asian nations and nationalities, and even today and for the future it is an important point between the East and the West, a territory that is linked with the Alpine part of the Slavic space in the Austrian Carinthia along the Drava river and in the South with the Balkans across the Kolpa and Drava river. The history of this area has been a part of political and cultural life of the Western Balkans. Slovenians master the cultural language of Western European nations as well as Western Balkan nations, as we lived in a political community with the latter from the break-up of Austria-Hungary onwards. This area is extremely rich with rivers, which have created an important part of transit and transport routes, and at the same time they created energy with numerous watermills, today hydroelectric plants. Based on this wealth of water numerous health resorts were built, which additionally connect Eastern-cohesive regions with cultural and tourist facilities of this part of Slovenia.

Olimje – the oldest pharmacy in Europe

The design of the cultural programme is mostly based on the preservation of cultural heritage, its virtualization and digitalization, creating traditional and contemporary art and cultural programmes in the already existing cultural infrastructure along the entire Eastern Cohesion, which needs to be initiated and revived with creative energy, upgraded with some new constructions of larger dimensions and with maintenance of numerous smaller units.

Cultural Heritage

In the northeastern part of Slovenia there are around 4,907 objects registered as immovable heritage, of which 593 are on the territory of the Municipality of Maribor. These monuments include archaeological, ethnological, religious and other heritage, and originate from the Roman era, the Middle Ages and the modern times. Goals: connecting the participating municipalities and regions, for all generations, executing pedagogical and andragogical programmes, emphasizing the super-regional importance of the region in historical periods, ensuring the preservation of movable and immovable cultural heritage, supplementing and improving the tourist offer, enabling possibilities for the new employments, improving the habitative culture, inter-institutional cooperation, intercountry cooperation, region recognisability. The geographical position of Maribor, its partner cities and the Eastern Cohesion is at the crossroads of paths leading from the East to the West, from the North to the South, originating in recent or distant past and extending into the future. The historical and cultural heritage with its remnants of the past and its present ambitions attests to journeys across this area. The intention and aim of the European Capital of Culture project is to network and connect the spots on these paths, employing its enthusiasm and ambitions for the culture in 2012 and further on. In past times, travellers left traces of their journeys here, bringing their knowledge, experience and views, now it is for artists and cultural practices to do it. Slovenia has also been marked by paths that led through the area in history. One of them was an important link with the sea, the 'Mast path' (Jamborna cesta). Not insignificantly, it was the railway that in the 19th century established the bourgeois Maribor as an important European junction, connecting it with Vienna and Trieste, two European metropolises. At that time both the cities were the cradle of European culture, thus influencing Maribor in its development into a city based on culture. In 1889 the current Narodni dom was established, which was the largest Slovenian cultural centre in this part of Europe, later to play the key role in establishing its national identity and indirectly the then and future Slovenian state. Due to the important role of Celts in this part of Slovenia, a 'Celtic path' could also be established, as well as a 'Celtic Village', formed as a theme park, offering an insight into the Celtic way of life. Such a programme could be developed within the National strategic plan of rural development and Operative programme of rural development.

Mediaeval Ptuj â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Archdiocese of Salzburg

Then there is the famous European cultural 'Amber Road', connecting the Mediterranean with the Baltic, and the European Walking Routes, such as E6 and E7. European Walking Routes There are eleven European Walking Routes. The paths are mostly extremely long, each connecting two seas or a sea with the ocean. Together they comprise about 60,000 kilometres. The length of an individual walking route can be estimated to around 5,000 kilometres, but the number is approximate and temporary, as they are constantly being extended. Two European walking routes cross Slovenia – E6 and E7, the former from the North to the South and the latter from the West to the East. They actually intersect in southern Slovenia and run together for a short while. The E6 route connects the Baltic with the Adriatic, in Slovenia leading across the

Pohorje Hills, Posavje Hills and Slovenian Dinaric area to the Adriatic where it terminates and only continues in Greece. Establishing this route in Slovenia was strongly supported by Milan Ciglar, after whom the Slovenian section was later named. The E7 route connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Black Sea, entering Slovenia from Italy and going on through the Pannonian Plain to Hungary. Both Routes in Slovenia are managed by the Commission for European Footpaths in Slovenia, which also organizes walks and other events. Within the European Capital of Culture 2012 programme, a Eurowalk will be organized in 2012, comprising an international 'exchange' of ramblers.

Matjaž Krivic: Čevlji / Shoes

Archaeology Archaeology of the Hallstatt Era (Novo mesto) The Hallstatt culture belongs in the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age, approx. 1000 to 400 BC. Hallstatt is a famous prehistoric site in Upper Austria. The archaeological heritage of Novo mesto is definitely the most important component of the Novo mesto past. Novo mesto occupies an important position on the European archaeological map, as it represents one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe. The archaeological past of the Lower Carniola metropolis with the emphasis on the Hallstatt period and its unique and one-of-a-kind situla art represents a special value due to its exceptionality, recognisability and town tourist appeal. Therefore it is without doubt the main town attraction, which proves that Novo mesto at that time had the largest role and importance in all its known history. Among all extraordinary important European prehistoric sites from the Hallstatt period, situlas stand out as the major and most important achievement of situla art, representing the apex and the greatest wealth of Novo mesto archaeological heritage. Situlas date back to the 5th and 4th century BC, their number telling us about the great economical power of the Hallstatt aristocracy inhabitants on the Krka river meander. Antique Archaeological Heritage (Ptuj) from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD Poetovio in its importance exceeds the local and national importance. The most famous is the Orpheus monument, a more than four metres high Roman tombstone from the 2nd century AD, about which the famous art historian Ervin Panofsky writes among others. The Roman city beside the Drava river made its importance known already in the time when the Roman Empire was at the peak of its power, forming an important point on the map with its geographical position, where the routes between the East and the West and the North and the South intersected. It was there that almost all the knowledge of the civilised world was concentrated. By exploiting natural resources, the inhabitants of the town produced various products for their needs and sold the surplus to other places and regions.

Ptuj, The Birth of Mithras

With the realization of this project we shall connect the participating cities (Slovenj Gradec, Maribor, Novo mesto, Murska Sobota and Ptuj) along the Roman roads, where a large flow of goods used to be established. The Slavic archaeological sites research: a rectangular building with half of the walls above the ground built of wattle and covered with clay. The huts had only one room, in which a cooking stove was placed.

Old Slavic houses (from Umetnost stavbarstva na Slovenskem / The Art of Architecture in Slovenia by Peter Fister, Ljubljana, 1986)

Heritage of The Middle Ages Maribor is the most important city of the northeastern Slovenia; in 1209 it was documented as a market, and as a city in 1243 and 1257. Of the former walls only the Judgement tower from the 14th century and the Water tower from the 16th century have been preserved. The Stolna cerkev church dates back to the mid 13th century. The castle, the core of which is from the last quarter of the 15th century, is famous for its richly decorated two-shouldered rococo staircase. Goal: A complete renovation of the Maribor's Lent, Koroška street and Nasek Manor beside the Castle square. The renovation and revival of the decaying infrastructure into a vital cultural and artistic part of the city, stimulation and encouragement of cultural tourism, artistic and creative segment of Maribor’s inhabitants. In the investment part the following object shall be included: Minorite monastery, Minorite church, Žiče Manor, Koroška street, Nasek Manor and Judgement Tower. Ptuj is a town by the Drava river with important antique, Medieval and more recent monuments, situated on the border between the East Alpine and the Pannonian space. Since approx. year 874 under the rule of the Salzburg archbishops (with the so-called Lords of Ptuj, who became extinct in 1438, ruling as their ministerials), between 1479– 90 under the Hungarians, and then under the rule of the Habsburgs. St. Ana from Ptujska gora

The Ptuj castle originates from the High Middle Ages with later rebuilds. In the arcade corridor in the courtyard there is a tombstone for the Count Friderik Ptujski (deceased 1438), the most beautiful among the tombstones made of red Salzburg marble in Ptuj. Along the routes of the Lords of Ptuj, the cultural-historical tourist pilgrimage trail would be designed, connecting all the above-mentioned monuments, or an activity programme on the foreseen points of interest would be designed: Ptuj castle, Dominican monastery, Minorite monastery, the provost church of St. George, commendam in Velika Nedelja, Ormož castle, pilgrimage church on Ptujska Gora, former presbytery of the St. Martin’s church in Hajdina. The aim of the programme is to offer all target audiences quality programme contents, which will include the deepening of historical and art-historical knowledge (with andragogical and pedagogical programme), as well as quality entertainment in spare time (mostly with contents appropriate for families and interested excursion groups like tourist associations, groups of tourist workers etc.). In this sense the programme may be indirectly connected with other programmes, foreseen in the frame of the European Capital of Culture 2012, especially with the programme The culture of wine and culinary art. 76

The Castles and Monasteries The castles of Eastern Cohesion in Slovenia: Maribor castle, Goričko castle, Lendava, Murska Sobota, Velenje, Rakičan, Hrastovec, Betnava, Dornava, Ptuj, Borl, Celje, Podsreda, Bogenšperk, Kostanjevica, Kostel, Snežnik, Predjama, Rotenturn (Slovenj Gradec), Negova castle, Gornja Radgona castle, Svečina, Predjama and Snežnik, Ristovec, Pišece (with large sequoia trees in an attractive park), Vurberk, Račji dvor manor, Fala mansion house, Hompoš, Viltuš; and monasteries: Olimje, Pleterje, Kostanjevica, Žička kartuzija (Žiče Carthusian monastery) as an integral tourist product.

The Olimje castle

The castles and mansions of Eastern Cohesion shall be combined into an integral tourist product, which will represent a new, quality and heterogeneous tourist offer and attract more domestic and foreign visitors to the castles. The tourist offer could be based on traditional programmes like health resorts and wellness centres, art, historical, ethnological and natural science museum collections, as well as on more innovative programmes like: international youth activity programmes, informal education in various areas, youth accommodation (youth hostels), local arts and crafts and herbalism, the surrounding areas of castles and mansions could be used for learning trails with historical contents and alike. Revitalization of castles and mansions in the Eastern Cohesion area in the long-term also brings a revitalization of the economy, as numerous newly established spheres of activities would offer new jobs to the local population. Pilgrimage Hiking Trail Project

Žiče Carthusian monastery

Long ago Europe was full of pilgrimage trails, along which masses of people made journeys to pilgrimage centres. With the evolution of modern transport vehicles, these trails mostly died off; however, numerous stories remained about the places and points of interest that the pilgrims, worshippers of various saints, visited. In the last years we have recorded a reawakening of pilgrimage hiking trails, attracting tens of thousands of pilgrims. The most popular became St. Jacob's trails in Spain, which have been turning into a true pilgrim's hiking hit in the beginning of the new millennium. In recent years other trails, characteristic of individual parts of Europe, are becoming similarly popular. Among them are Martin’s trails, Emma’s trails, and others. All these trails lead through many interesting places, and the most important pilgrimage centres represent their backbone. In the NE Slovenia, we are focusing on two such pilgrimage trails, with which we want to present the famous Slovenian pilgrimage centres like Ptujska Gora to the wider European public, at the same time enabling the pilgrims to get

Ptujska gora, Patron Mary with the coat

Profane Architecture

acquainted with many interesting places in our country. These trails are also an excellent opportunity for merchants, innkeepers, hotel and motel owners, museums and others, promoting the development of places along the trail. Mary's Pilgrimage Trails Pilgrimage trails usually extend in many directions and link many European countries. In the past year the first part of Mary’s pilgrimage trails was opened, beginning in Čenstohova in Poland, leading through Levoča in Slovakia to the pilgrimage centre Mariazzel in Austria. Our project included in the European Capital of Culture programme is directed into extending this trail across the Austrian Styria through Maribor and Ptuj to Ptujska Gora as the central Mary’s pilgrimage centre of the NE Slovenia. From Ptujska Gora the trail continues to Marija Bistrica, which is the main pilgrimage centre of the neighbouring Croatia. The project foresees marking the trail with special markings (direction boards), creating information notice boards, websites, publishing a guide, information leaflets, preparing workshops for the local population etc. In pilgrimage churches along the trail we plan cultural events like concerts, fine-art workshops, professional lectures, and alike. Similarly as in Spain, in the rest of Europe this kind of projects raise the level of culture and make it possible for numerous European populations to get acquainted with cultural and natural beauties of European regions while walking. St. Martin's Pilgrimage Trails From the neighbouring Hungary, St. Martin's pilgrimage trails have been spreading into Slovenia, to be led through the places where St. Martin is worshipped. This year the trail reached the Mura River, but the project foresees its continuation towards the Drava River and further to Italy. Regarding the course of both pilgrimage trails, their intersection will be in the Drava region, which presents a central point of the European pilgrimage trails. The projects are long-term and present a big challenge for NE Slovenia, where Ptuj plays an important role as the oldest Slovenian city, the past of which is closely connected with churches, monasteries and consequently with pilgrims.

Rich and nowadays quite rare profane architectural heritage of this part of Slovenia is represented by different types of farmhouses: the Kozjansko house, the White Carniola house, numerous watermills on the Kolpa River and in Prekmurje, vineyard cottages, typical black kitchens from the middle of the 18th century, the Pohorje smokehouses, the Prekmurje villages, thatches, log houses in Prekmurje, cellars (“klečaje”) roughcast with clay (in Haloze and Goričko regions), corn racks in Lower Carniola etc., Camps in Cerknica (anti-Turkish farm camps), Cven in Prekmurje – farmhouses with stone door frames. The Kavčnik home (renovated 1993–96) in Zavodnje by Šoštanj is the southernmost preserved smokehouse in Europe, 1736, an example of a black kitchen. The building alone is a pearl of Slovenian folk architecture, and as a whole it can serve the purposes of various ethnological events, e.g. midsummer (bonfire) evening, pig slaughtering, weddings etc. Other locations and projects: skansen Rogatec pri Podsredi (open-air museum), Kozjansko Regional park; skansen Račji dvor; Centre for protection and development of provincial traditions in Skorba at Ptuj; Murska Sobota – pottery trade; the network of memorial museums of Slovenian literary authors – incorporation of the Prežihov Voranc hut above Kotlje into a national project; presentation project of painted beehive panels collections and art naïve (the major representative is Jože Tisnikar from Slovenj Gradec); Ribnica – the wooden ware fair; establishment of the Museum of handcraft in Nasek Manor in Maribor. Skansen Račji dvor The Račji dvor building renovation includes a functional adaptation of the building and providing it with the equipment for catering, tourist, educational and cultural activities and various programmes, such as the establishment of an outdoor beekeeping and winemaking museum (skansen: constructing a typical small farm of the Štejerska region). The aim of the project is to renovate, maintain and present the movable and immovable cultural heritage of Maribor agrarian surroundings. As a cooperation of several project partners, the plan predicts the establishment of a learning centre for performing workshops in catering, tourist and cultural programmes. An active contemporary learning centre ensures the preservation and presentation of Štajerska region rural cultural heritage, with the cultural, catering and tourist programmes also being enhanced.

Wine Culture and Culinary Art The Drava Region Wine Renaissance If there is an activity that we can truly attribute to the Drava region from the Middle Ages onwards (except for the geographical position and climate) and for which this region is widely recognized, this is most definitely viticulture. There are also other traditional branches, but the voice of wine reaches further. Probably it would be hard to describe, what were the characteristics and the role of this drink a thousand years ago. However, it is important what its position was one or two centuries ago, because this memory is still alive, reached by the memoirs of our grandparents. Maribor is the centre of the largest Slovenian wine region. More than 400 year-old vine at Lent is recorded among Guinness World Records. Short History of Štajerska Region Wine Culture Wine used to be intertwined with the old village festivities and customs, connecting people during its production and trade. It included native culinary art and village events. The wine production was once different than we would want it today as it was related to the tradition of vinedresser’s cottages. The quality that was successfully established by Archduke John extended the reputation of wine from this area outside the Austro-Hungarian borders. His misfortune of being banished from the Austro-Hungarian court was a fortunate circumstance for the Drava region. This man of great breadth of horizon, who was very much interested in advanced farming, discovered a favourable microclimate in our lands for growing of vine and built a house on the hillside of Pohorje above Limbuš. As the climate there – with regard to Pohorje Hills conditions – was very mild and because the archduke also owned a property in Merano at the seaside, this district was named Meranovo. Here the grapes, the product of which was well known at the Vienna court, were grown. The wine culture in Ptuj and the surrounding area has existed ever since the antiquity (the Roman Petoviona), trading with wine was present in the Middle Ages and in the modern times, in the 14th and 15th century there was competition among the Štajerska region wine traders (Maribor, Ptuj, Slovenska Bistrica, Radgona), and then there’s several hundred years of tradition of wine cellars in Ptuj (the upper classes, Dominican and Minorite monastery, city wine traders). The 19th and the 20th century was the time of renovation of vineyards, education, agricultural school system, and the expansion of the trade. The wine culture has strongly marked the image of villages, cities and the region, our way of life and thinking, which is proved by many objects

Autochthonous wine sorts: modra kavčina, šipon (furmint) and wine cuvée – cviček

The area of pumpkin oil production and consummation

and items of cultural heritage. The culture of wine is most closely connected with specific eating habits, holidays and dishes. Main programme guidelines: programme integration of all objects of cultural and natural heritage that tell about the wine culture and culinary art (cellars, sacral objects etc.); development of specialized hiking and bicycle trails; development of cultural programmes in wine cellars; development of central regional oenological collection in the rooms of the castle's granary and its networking with local collections and specialities; viticulture and wine trade heritage as a challenge to modern forms of creativity (fashion, art, architecture); wine culinary and cultural events in the buildings of cultural heritage, revitalization of hundred year-old inns and their offer.

Slovenian Potica (Traditional Nut Roll) Potica is a traditional Slovenian festive cake that has become famous around the world. Poticas are baked in special cake tins, traditionally made of very ornate terracotta that are nowadays often used as decorations. These tins are usually round, with a tube in the middle. Baked poticas are mostly round, ring shaped cakes. There are at least fifty different kinds of poticas, differing in fillings. At first, fillings consisted of walnuts, hazelnuts, honey, mint, curd, cream, cracklings, bacon or dried fruits. In the past, sugar was usually not added because it was scarce in those days. Today, poticas are often made with cocoa, chocolate or carob fillings. The dough is made of wheat flour with yeast used as leaven. It is rolled out flat, spread with the filling, rolled up and placed in the tin. The ends of the roll are cut off and placed into separate small tins to make small buns.

The dough: 30 g yeast 300 ml milk 750 g flour 120 g sugar 120 g butter 3 egg yolks lemon rind 1 tablespoon salt

Mix the yeast with lukewarm milk and flour and leave to prove; then knead the dough. Prepare the filling. Roll out the dough, cover with the filling and roll up. Place in a baking tin, add egg wash and bake at 225Â°C for an hour and a half.

Potica with walnut filling 70 g butter 3 egg yolks 200-250 g sugar some cloves, cinnamon and lemon rind 500 g walnuts 2 beaten egg whites Carefully mix the ingredients and cover the rolled dough.

Potica with poppy seed filling 300 g poppy seed 0.5 litre cream or milk 3 egg yolks 200-250 g vanilla flavoured sugar 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs 3 tablespoons fresh cream 70 g fresh butter 3 beaten egg whites Cook poppy seed in milk or cream and leave to boil for an hour. Leave to cool, then add the other ingredients, folding in beaten egg whites at the end.

Immaterial Cultural Heritage Immaterial heritage includes oral literature, dances and games, rituals and holidays, crafts and different types of art. These aspects of ethnological heritage are represented by the so-called amateur culture, various societies and professional organizations. Ethnological traditions represent the main element of attractiveness and variety of our urban and rural centres in the wider European space. In the Lower Drava region, a great number of various heritage and local cultural elements have been preserved, connected with the way of life and work of people living there. Many traditions (for example the carnival) have common European roots and therefore testify to our mutual integrations and co-dependency. What stands out among all traditions is the rich and heterogeneous tradition of carnival characters and groups as well as many other celebrations, related to working, calendar customs and practices. Such heritage represents the basis for the development of numerous potential heritages, cultural and artistic projects as alternatives for the design of contemporary and heritage-infused future ways of life.

Ptuj, smithery

Folk art â&#x20AC;&#x201C; music, dance, poetry, carving trade etc. as the basis for an open-air cultural market in Murska Sobota reviving the streets of the city and bringing it and its residents in its own way into the year 2012. At the festival of folk singers and musicians, some bands from every partner city and neighbouring country would present themselves. Most definitely, folk songs and music, which developed in the surrounding villages, will supplement the cultural activity in the city and region with their traditional festivals (the Folklore festival in Beltinci). It is necessary to unify the classifications and create a unified register of immaterial heritage. Serving as information centres, where we can find and promote through them this kind of heritage, are various fairs, exhibitions, folklore festivals, concerts, carnivals and workshops, which are currently quite fragmented, but very variegated and expanded. Immaterial heritage also has to be registered, the information base has to be unified, marketed and transferred into educational and media programmes.

Bonfire customs

Industrial Heritage

The future Museum of Socialism, Maribor, Einspilerjeva ulica street

Until the construction of the southern railway, the city of Maribor had been a city beside the Drava river, which was founded on the intersection of the Pannonian and the Alpine world. Since the arrival of the southern railway the city has been developing as an industrial city, having the status of an industrial capital of Slovenians and “a military centre” of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and later of Yugoslavia till the independence of Slovenia, which is strongly evident in the morphological and architectural structure of the city. First, east of the mediaeval core, an industrial area of the city developed and on the right riverbank industrial areas were established in Tabor around the railway depot complex. Then, in the period between the two World Wars, industrial areas in Tezno were established and in Pobrežje public utility areas and energy infrastructure of the city were set. Part of the morphological structure and architectural heritage presents a relic of the city development of the past 200 years, which represents one of the most important segments of the “industrial city of Slovenians”. In this sense, the cultural development of the city is based on establishing a complete evaluation of morphological and architectural structure of the industrial heritage: active protection of urban and architectural monuments: foundation of museum complexes: the railway depot in Tabor with a railway colony, part of the building complex in the former TAM industrial zone, part of the complex of the Drava hydroelectric plants, Melje; rearrangement of industrial and infrastructural areas into vital city areas – into urban regenerators of the city on developmentally significant city locations: the railway colony complex, the railway triangle in Tabor, the industrial zone in Tezno, especially the historic part of the former TAM car factory; rearrangement and sanitation of residential areas “workers’ neighbourhoods” would be based on reawakening the "industrial identity" and raising residential qualities (in nowadays mostly substandard residential units).

The former Automotive factory Maribor

All the above-mentioned objects and trails are to be integrated into the Industrial heritage trail in Maribor with museum niches; for example, the Steam hammer in the Ironworks workshops beside TVT is a cultural heritage monument of national significance. Besides the Maribor industrial heritage trail with museum niches, it would be wise to establish a Museum of Socialism in Maribor, ensuring a continuity by presenting the material, social and cultural image of the era. Museum of Socialism Establishing the Museum of Socialism in Maribor, presenting the material, social and cultural image of the era (SFRY 1941– 1991) will ensure a continuity that became blurred during

the Slovenian transition period. That way heritage would be perceived in a much more contemporary and dynamic way, as a burden yet also a gift of the past. With the suggested museum we can link Maribor to its background, the relation on which in the 20th century industrialization of this area was based. Industrial heritage most often has a negative connotation. Our goal is to bring the industrial heritage as cultural heritage closer to the public (the notion of industrial heritage is slowly becoming part of Slovenian and European space), a heritage with a lot of hidden potential. With the revitalization of buildings and the region, a new, innovative environment is created. We want to bring industrial heritage closer to the people through various artistic approaches, gained knowledge of the past years and presentations of good practices (domestic and foreign). Aims: presentation and promotion of the existing programmes and accomplishments in this field to wider Slovenian and European public in the form of workshops, lectures, leaflets, presentations and workshops on the theme of clean industry, environmentallyfriendly energy generation and improvement of the environment; presentation of the region as industrial heritage; establishment of industrial trails; walks through industrial giants.

Goričko castle – the largest castle in Slovenia featuring 365 rooms. Halloween by the Grad castle in Goričko region.

Revitalization of Industrial Objects All objects and paths would be integrated within the Industrial heritage trail in Maribor, also including museum niches, such as the Steam hammer in the Ironworks workshops besides TVT as a cultural heritage monument of national significance. Locations: Velenje – city, a modernist monument – the city core 1945–1959 (example of an integral settlement heritage, revitalization of the Klasirnica object, monuments of national significance: the Velenje coalmine; Slovenj Gradec: inauguration of presented objects of technical and industrial ironworks heritage in the complex of Ravne Ironworks with the permanent exhibition The Iron Thread (which coincides with the Third development axis); Mežica – mine; technical heritage in the frame of a public-private partnership (Fala hydroelectric plant, the first hydroelectric plant on the Drava river and in Slovenia in general).

The deepest (lowest) dining room in the world, 160 meters underground in the Museum of Coal Mining in Velenje. Sausages and rolls are served. There are about 60,000 visitors per year.

Urban Heritage

Museums

Urban and architectural heritage of the 20th century represents a highly valuable segment of the city of Maribor, which is currently only poorly recognisable, only just starting to become a part of cultural consciousness. After World War II the city founded its urban and architectural development on the modernist doctrine, therefore again representing (together with Velenje, Murska Sobota, Ravne) an important indicator of urban and architectural knowledge. The key characteristics of Maribor construction development are provided by the “deviation” of its urbanism and architecture from that of Ljubljana (which developed under the influence of Plečnik and Ravnikar into a Central-European capital). At first this was based mostly on the reconstruction of parts of the city demolished during the war, and later on the development of the construction industry with pioneer models of residential neighbourhoods that emerged under the influence of Switzerland and Scandinavian countries (the first Swedish kitchen and the first prefabricated apartment buildings in former Yugoslavia, the first high-rise building in Slovenia) and a high share of “pioneer” engineering objects within former Yugoslavia (Ljudski vrt spectator area, Titov most bridge).

Movable cultural heritage of the northeastern Slovenia is kept in authorized museums in Maribor, Murska Sobota, Lendava, Rogatec and Ptuj. There are also other smaller collections and galleries, antique shops and fairs, where these kinds of objects circulate. Much of the cultural heritage has not been registered yet and is in private ownership, therefore it would be wise to supplement the existing collections and encourage the formation of such identities, particularly on the local level. The carriers of the northeastern Slovenia are: the Novo mesto Museum of Dolenjska region and the Museum of Bela Krajina region.

Goal: cultural development of the city will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of the morphological and architectural structure of architectural heritage on preservation, revitalization, and rearrangement of important segments: city squares and buildings in the city core, architectural monuments sanitation concept and the realized part of the urbanist and architect Ljubo Humek (exhibition, the Ljubo Humek trail through the city), active protection of the city technical monuments and its architectural symbols, sanitation and rearrangement of residential neighbourhoods, representing urban and architectural construction monuments (Gosposvetska street, Nova vas), establishment of city identity with active protection of architectural heritage. In the golden era of the 1960s, Maribor urbanistically became known as the largest northern industrial centre of the Socialist Yugoslavia with the emphasis on information and computer development. After the country’s break-up, the strategic gigantic industry was fragmented into smaller units. The greyness of the “industrial cauldron” turned into the city with the most sunny days a year in average – inadvertently, it became an ecological city, the development of which shall have to be based on renewable energy sources and “green electricity”. At the same time, it should be able to continue with a sensible development of information and digital creative industries.

Maribor has two regional museums, the Regional museum and the National Liberation Museum, altogether keeping more than 89,000 musealiums and approx. 5,000 items of other museum material: fashion collection, pharmaceutical collection, baroque art collection, glass collection, industrial heritage exhibits. They attract 62,000 visitors per year, the Regional archives keeps archive material with 2,478 funds and collections. The Synagogue cultural centre organizes 37 events per year, attracting 13,000 visitors. In the field of arts and crafts (belt making and goldsmith’s trade, engraving, photography, blacksmith’s trade) there are also live trades (a workshop on Orožnova street within the Regional museum Maribor). Europe in Museum – Museum in Europe The Regional museum Maribor will host European experts from various fields of expertise, covered by our museum. With its presence, realization and expert knowledge, “Europe” would become alive within the museum walls, and the results of the joint cooperation would be designated for the public. We would process the material from domestic collections professionally, which arouses local interests, and at the same time speaks an international language – a language that we all understand and that connects us in different ways. The numismatic collection (money connected us in the past and still does today in the form of the Monetary EU), the arms collection (linking Europe in certain historical periods) and the tin soldiers collection (symbolically presenting playing, childhood and collecting, which touches every individual very intimately and at the same time symbolizes the museum activity). The fourth segment of the joint expert work would represent getting to know the work in the field of museum pedagogy and andragogy, which would introduce new approaches into the preparation and secondary activity of permanent and temporary exhibitions. The research results shall be published in four independent museum publications, and the result of processing the tin soldiers collection and the pedagogical-andragogical work shall be also presented in a temporary exhibition.

Noah's Arks In 2013, simultaneously in all six cities (Maribor, Murska Sobota, Novo mesto, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje, Ptuj) local public tenders will be executed for an artistic installation of Noah's ark. The results will be presented at occasional exhibitions and published in catalogues, and the selected solutions will be realized in the form of spatial installations on the hills near the cities. Local museums and galleries will put up exhibitions of items in arks, which the surrounding areas bring into the new world of Europe. The chosen items will present special characteristics of cultural heritage and contemporary creativity. Slovenia between the Balkans and Europe The project will historically crystallize the fact that in geographical terms we are exactly on the border between Europe and the Balkans. The National liberation Museum in Maribor will organize and thematically link geographical and social conditionality of Slovenia in its relation towards the Balkans and socialism. Project: visiting exhibitions of museums from EU member countries, visiting exhibitions from Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia; comparative exhibitions of the native museum, pedagogical and andragogical workshops – presentation of the trade of other European and nonEuropean museums and Slovenian handicrafts. Exhibition – “What was our currency in the 20th century?" Renovation of the Military Academy Object Professional collaboration and enhancement of the Military museum of the Slovenian army with the National liberation museum Maribor, the Regional museum Maribor and the scientific research institute of the Dr. Franc Kovačič historical association in Maribor is a project dedicated to forming a scientific-research and educational facility and a permanent collection of the Military museum of the Slovenian army (VMSV). The object is an example of military architectural heritage of national and international significance. Besides the investor, the Proteh Maribor office, the renovation is supervised by the Institute for protection of national and cultural heritage Maribor. The renovation will be completed at the end of the year 2009. The VMSV museum material is already being systematically gathered, researched, studied and professionally examined in the VMSV museum collections and subcollections.

Herman Potočnik Noordung – museum in Vitanje, innovations in the field of space architecture

Iron Path Slovenian path of the culture of iron is a project, or more appropriately, a movement connecting museums that already protect and represent the heritage of iron and ironworks in Slovenia and those institutions that support the promotion of this heritage. The Regional museum of Carinthia, Ravne na Koroškem unit, Museum of Upper Sava in Jesenice, Museum

The inventor Janez Puh was born in Sakušaku near Juršinci in 1862. Together with the manufacturer Werner Puh he started the first factory production of bicycles in 1899; in 1901 the first motorcycle with petrol engine drove from Puh factory. Two years later serial production of motorcycles began, at the same time Puh made his first car; in 1906 they started the serial production.

The Novo mesto avant-garde (Anton Podbevšek), which is embedded into the European avant-garde (Micić and others)

of Upper Carniola in Kranj, Museum of modern history Celje, Museum of Lower Carniola in Novo mesto, and the Technical museum of Slovenia all participate, as well as the museums in Kropa, Železniki and Tržič. From the foundation of the initiative board, the Educational centre Štore has also participated in the project, and in last year the Creative centre Breznikar of Šmartno pri Litiji joined. The project is also supported by the successors of the former ironworks, among them Štore Steel, Metal Ravne and other companies, and Municipality of Ravne heads the project of a new museum set up of items from the buildings with the status of a cultural monument in the area of the former ironworks. The project objectives are to protect and promote the culture of iron, incorporate the heritage into the tourist offer, form a thematic trail in Slovenia connecting the centre with the tradition of making iron and steel, and connect it to the European iron trail. Avant-gardes Research into and historical evaluation of Slovenian avantgardes and retro-gardes - the Novo mesto avant-garde (Anton Podbevšek in cooperation with Micić from Belgrade and others) of the 1920's and the Trbovlje avant-garde of the 1980's that is embedded into the European avant-garde. Artistic creations from 1970's and even more from 1980's identified with the industrial heritage. The NSK – Neue Slowenische Kunst artistic avant-garde from the 1980's derived from this part of cultural heritage and referred to itself as retro-garde. Apart from the industrial heritage, they also derived their spiritual concepts from the historical avantgarde of the beginning of the 20th century, the times of the socialist revolution and the formation of the socialist regime in the USSR. NSK re-established the connection with the scientific heritage of the 1920's, with Herman Potočnik Noordung, to whom a museum is dedicated in Vitanje, also presenting his innovations in the field of space technology and architecture.

The biggest statue of Tito (at least in Slovenia), in Velenje

Advertising poster for Styria bicycles from 1900

energy - movement space of transition, freedomâ&#x20AC;Ś

Pandur.Theaters: Barok, director TomaĹž Pandur

Urbanism and Architecture Cultural development of cities has to be based on mobility, transition, communication, and connectivity, where the contrasting entities of nature, culture, sport, recreation and technology mutually intertwine and complement. After World War Two Maribor experienced an urban expansion. In that period the city expanded for almost three quarters of its area and a morphological design of four cities in one was made. The fast growth of the city resulted in a dispersed functional and morphological appearance of the city. The historical context of the city quickly became lost in the process of increasingly intensive reorganization of the city from the former industrial capital of Štajerska region into a modern regional city. The urban development of the city has been carefully planned and directed for almost a century, and more intensely from the 1950s onwards. At first, the city acquired a minor segment of modern urban development on the principles of a garden city and planned establishment of working class suburbs, in the period between the World Wars and after World War Two on the principles of a functionalist doctrine, in the 1970s the construction is based on the context of residential neighbourhoods, from mid 1980s to mid 1990s the predominating doctrine is the postmodern doctrine of building a city in a city and simultaneously the most neglected medieval part of the city – Lent is renovated. From mid 1990s till today a new urban document has been made, establishing a new model of the city urban development based on the concept of compacting the city or turning towards the inside and forming of a regional centre. Urbanism and architecture experts participated in all these phases quite successfully. Until the 1990s Maribor was believed to be a city without any major architectural surpluses or excesses, however, a city distinguished by an explicit interdisciplinary approach to spatial planning and architectural design. Numerous national and also international awards from the 1990s till today place Maribor on the architectural map of Central Europe. After 10 years it is also time for higher public interest, i.e. for public-private partnerships to be established with the goal to redesign the city of Maribor into a regional centre with a recognizable urban and architectural identity. Regional City Since the 1990s the city has been subjected to searching, establishing and developing a new identity, which is the result of economic, administrative, legal, and other changes that arose when Slovenia became an independent country. Especially evident is the trend of searching for values as

a region and of connecting with the neighbouring regions or countries, which has been increasing continuously. Due to the social-political changes, the city was at first faced with a standstill of construction activities i.e. its urban development, however at the end of the 1990s the processes of rapid restructuring of the city’s urban structure began. The urban design document (1996–2001) set the guidelines of contemporary urban development, which is based on connecting the functionally and morphologically disconnected city areas into a city-forming whole. When the document was being drawn, the wider public was included as well, being actively participating in the process through city-planning workshops and public discussions (the design document has received the acknowledgement of the European Council of Spatial Planners). The urban development concept is based on establishing a flow among all four urban entities of the city by rearranging the existing degraded and functionally less appropriate areas, rearranging public functions (discharging the concentration of public functions on the left river bank by balanced arrangement of central activities on the right Drava river bank). Having considered the natural environment of high value and quality, the design foresees a system of green city areas that is based on the concept of constructing a green circle with the green fingers concept (the left river bank – the city park, the right river bank/the West – the green finger Radvanje – the hill Pekrska gorca – the Tabor Sports park, the right river bank/Tezno and Pobrežje – the green finger the Stražun forest, the Drava regional park). The concept of the four cities networking into one connects the following city spatial development segments: intensive networking of the city by establishing the traffic network flow, which is based on an extensive development of public passenger traffic and unmotorized traffic; establishment of urban identity of the city and its suburbs (the green system, urban and architectural heritage, replanning of deficient and environmentally less suitable areas); development of urban and architectural spatial regenerators (city socialization – introduction of new, mostly semi-functional or specialized programmes, establishment of an identification area for different interest groups); development of regional functions of the city and urban region; construction of modern urban and architectural appearance of the city. Establishment of a Footpath Network Extension of the pedestrian precinct/zone by connecting it to the network of walking paths (the city park, the Drava river), rearrangement of thematic, learning, identification, walking,

as well as sports and recreational paths through the green zone and the city, thematic paths: path through the city: Leon Štukelj path; identification path: TVT (Transportation systems company) – the railway colony – Pekarna – the Magdalena park – the Cultural campus (the railway triangle); identification path: industrial heritage path with museum niches (the railway colony, the steam hammer, TVT, Melje – the former customs house, TAM); identification path: the medieval city, the 19th century city, the 20th century city. The green system: to establish a policy of active protection of city green areas and to increase the share of the city identification “green” areas in all four city areas; to set up a green system (the city green fingers and the city green circle); to increase the share of public open areas on the right river bank – to set up public areas in residential neighbourhoods or central urban poles; to increase the share of urban sculptures and installations (revival of the forma viva – city space as a sculptural park); to revive the historical squares.

Maribor is a university city

Development of cycle traffic (intensive development of cycle traffic infrastructure and cycle tracks into the suburbs), development of public passenger traffic also by using alternative drives to increase the share of public passenger traffic/mini buses. Urban and Architectural Heritage To establish the policy of an active protection of urban and architectural heritage as the central identification elements of the city in all four city areas; to set up architectural regenerators in protected areas (museums, educational and multimedia complexes); to rearrange the existing infrastructure (improved living standard); active protection of residential areas of architectural heritage; introduction of urban and architectural heritage in the city cultural and tourist offer. Rearrangement of Deficient and Environmentally less Appropriate Areas To restructure deficient and environmentally less appropriate areas in close proximity of the medieval city core into areas with mixed functionality; to restructure deficient and environmentally less appropriate areas into urban regenerators; to restructure deficient and environmentally less appropriate areas at the city outskirts into areas with modern functions or programmes with new functions that cannot be placed in the city core.

The oldest power station Fala, the first power station on the Drava river and in Slovenia (Fala from 1913 till 1918, the first power station in Slovenia)

Dejan Ĺ tampar: The Railway triangle

Development of Urban and Architectural Spatial Regenerators To develop shopping centres into polyvalent urban centres (e.g. for cultural purposes, culture into the shopping centre – a classical music concert, where there is good acoustics and the possibility of public performance); collage of culture and sport: small zones for recreational sports, open and closed, wide accessibility to citizens by affordable prices, also in connection with culture (e.g. cultural campus in the railway triangle); to increase the share of new programmes in the city core and modern urban-architectural interventions; to arrange city squares (yards) with attractive architectural increments thus improving their living quality, to increase the share of semi-public areas, to ensure a share of central areas. Development of City Regional Functions

The Railway triangle

Mikrourbanika, Pekarna centre in Maribor

Functional connections (economic, cultural, educational, sports) with towns and villages in the region and neighbouring regions; to establish regional functions in the city, which enable further networking or regions; to establish development axes (economic, cultural, educational, sports) with the following five development axes being a priority: Maribor–Graz, Maribor–Ptuj, Maribor–Murska Sobota, Maribor–Celje, Maribor–Dravograd; to emphasize the Twin City model: connecting the city of Maribor with the Austrian city of Graz (the Future areas workshop 1999, student projects FA Ljubljana, FG Maribor, TU Graz, project Upload 2000, international student competition and symposium Open Borders 2005); dispersed networking of city regional functions of all four segments in close proximity to appropriate traffic infrastructure: an intermodal hub at the Maribor airport (location plan), a regional centre or house of regions in Pobrežje; networking of the university in the city core and its close proximity (the Medical faculty on Tabor embankment, development of the university in the area of technical faculties and secondary schools); networking of secondary school educational centres on the right river bank (Tabor, Tezno); dispersed networking of cultural and multimedia centres, expansion of new programmes and functions on the right river bank (the Drava centre); urban exhibition grounds (to set up public exhibition grounds on open public areas of the city). Construction of Modern Urban and Architectural Appearance of the City Renovation of historical architectural and urban monuments (the city castle – with appropriate public functions, the former prison, the military academy building, the railway colony and a part of the former Boris Kidrič complex (the oldest part of the depot) with appropriate cultural and educational programmes); increased number of museums and exhibition grounds; establishment of horizontal (“networking”) exhibition grounds for contemporary art: introduction of temporary exhibition spaces in the existing and newly built public places, introduction of temporary exhibition spaces in areas without any cultural function

(sport and recreation, industry, residental areas, shopping centres, playgrounds), establishment of connections between individual exhibition grounds; the city light exhibition grounds – establishment of horizontal exhibition grounds for contemporary art; development of experimental residential construction (Europan 1 in Nova vas, Europan 2 in Pobrežje, stimulation of tenders and construction of three experimental residential enclaves on the right bank of the Drava river); experimental construction of shopping centres (Baumax, McDonald's, Qlandia). Railway Triangle Ecological innovative new construction of bold forms that is fed by alternative and renewable sources of energy, located in the Railway Triangle, would bring together different programmes that would complement each other: 1. Cultural and Media Management School 2. Accelerating Business Culture Digital Education Centre - ABCDE 3. Regions House: equality in diversity 4. Production-Presentation and Education-Research Multimedia Centre for Contemporary Arts 5. Arts House 6. Academy of Arts

The first computer network in Yugoslavia (IZUM) The old RCUM computer centre at the University of Maribor, VAX 780 with hard disks and a tape streamer and VAX 750 with a tape streamer, Computer centre of the University of Maribor,

Apart from the investments to arrange the triangular area between the railway lines, the programme comprises various programmes and fields, including sports and recreational facilities, with the area also being included in the “path” crossing the city. The project is a collage of culture and sports: small zones for recreational sports, both open and closed, wide accessibility to citizens for affordable prices, with accentuated connection to culture. Cultural and Media Management School The purpose of Cultural and Media Management School programmes is the training for management functions in various activities of cultural and media industries and education for creative management or editorial work, also for public cultural infrastructure, research institutes, advertising organizations and pedagogical activities. The study programme will ensure the know-how and knowledge in management of organizations, institutions, programmes (festivals, series) and projects dealing with culture and media as well as the organization – production and presentation – of top-level artistic events of national or international dimensions. Its wider context relates to establishing creative industries and introducing the media that acquire completely new forms and contents based on new technologies and the Internet. The preparation phases of the project comprise selection of the location, an architectural call for applications, construction of the building, infrastructure, technological

Kibla – the biggest multimedia centre in Slovenia all the way to Linz (Austria) Kibla – the biggest multimedia centre in Slovenia all the way to Linz (Austria)

equipment, preparation of programmes by partners, selection of lecturers, adjustment and programme initialization. The school will offer interdisciplinary training appropriate for dealing with the challenges that are posed by creative industries and culture-related industries (cultural tourism), thus representing a redefinition of media spaces in the service-based information society. Accelerating Business Culture Digital Education Centre â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ABCDE The ABCDE Centre focuses on integrating culture and the economy, education and the digital, comprising culture and technology, art and science, social and natural science, its programme being open for initiatives, cooperation and integration into European processes. The ABCDE Centre will acquire, collect and arrange as well as disseminate information on the digital media and multimedia business activity originating in Slovenia and operating throughout Europe; it will promote the development of multimedia businesses in Slovenia, connecting them with companies in other European countries; it will stimulate the opportunities for acquiring funds and evaluating the multimedia business activity; it will promote artistic creation based on digital media and integrate the European artists that use digital media; it will research and analyse business and artistic phenomena based on digital media; it will educate and form the strategies for the development of digital media activities. Doctor Karol Grossmann filmed the first movie on Slovenian ground. Fritz Lang, a world famous director, stayed with his family and sculptured in the studio. At that time Grossman made the first acquaintance with the camera. Some motives for his expressionistic movies originated here.

The preparation phases of the project comprise selection of the location, an architectural call for application, construction of the building, infrastructure, technological equipment, preparation of programmes by partners, adjustment and programme initialization. The purpose of the ABCDE Centre is to stimulate multimedia business activity and the operation of the Multimedia Umbrella for Slovenia office, to organize regular business events and digital culture events as well as educational events, to establish a database, a webpage, an information and presentation CD, to publish manuals, catalogues, studies and research results, to prepare strategies and concepts. Regions House: Equality in Diversity The Regions House has been designed as the joint centre of all regions for culture, tourism and business activity, based on advanced technologies, ecology, sustainable and renewable energy sources as well as the regional, interregional and cross-border cooperation. The project realization comprises the establishment of a centre of competence, innovative economic activity, stimulation towards the excellence of local actors and the use of new technologies, acting as an information, counselling and project centre, networking the complementary companies and stimulating partnerships. The preparation phases of the project comprise selection of

the location, an architectural call for application, construction of the building, infrastructure, technological equipment, preparation of programmes by partners, adjustment and programme initialization. The Regions House is a platform of economic intelligence, developing and adjusting to structures of various sizes and ensuring extensive information resources, at the same time representing the generator of regional and social dynamics, thus providing for sustainable development, equal access to knowledge and international participation. Production-Presentation and Education-Research Multimedia Centre for Contemporary Arts (PERMA) PERMA is a production-presentation and educationresearch centre for cultural activities, contemporary arts and creative industries related to science. The programme incorporates the production section to be used for audio and video production, multimedia, computer animation, design etc., in short the widest scope of the so-called creative industries. The presentation section is to be used for public presentations of artistic products. To ensure optimum compliance with programme guidelines that would include a wide range of arts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; visual, performing, music, intermedia and literary â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it would be designed as a space, perfectly adaptable to a chosen programme. The education section will comprise state-of-the-art infrastructure enabling professional training in creative industries, from art education to computer training, especially as regards software for sound and image management, animation, virtual and mixed realities, bio art etc. Research will be performed of interdisciplinary areas, including the traditional and contemporary artistic practices, new media, computer multimedia and contemporary information-communication technologies, genetics, biotechnology, nano-technology etc., in short, all the current artistic and scientific postulates related to technology and creativity. The residential section will provide accommodation for visiting professors, foreign and invited artists, foreign students and graduates. The preparation phases of the project comprise selection of the location, an architectural call for application, construction of the building, infrastructure, technological equipment, preparation of programmes by partners, adjustment and programme initialization. What needs to be considered is placing the PERMA in a technologically supported building featuring daily activities in visual, performing, music and intermedia arts, integrating the analogue and digital creativity. The project represents the establishment of a creative and artistic platform enabled by advanced infrastructure, its programmes placing it in the world map of contemporary arts. Arts House The Arts House provides the compete region with adequate infrastructure for cultural and congress tourism. The project comprises the construction of an event complex featuring multipurpose halls for major cultural, congress, tourist

and other events, as well as the accompanying technical equipment and services: a large multipurpose concert hall featuring a stage and equipment for stage performances (1500 seats), several small halls (100-300 seats), service halls and infrastructure for additional tourist and catering facilities. The preparation phases of the project comprise establishing a public-private partnership, preparing the project and investment documentation, executing the construction works, purchasing and installing the equipment, training the staff. Academy of Arts The Academy of Arts at the University of Maribor has been conceived as an institution dedicated to two basic artistic fields â&#x20AC;&#x201C; fine arts and theatre, which will be joined by other arts in the future, particularly music. The main initiators of its establishment are the existing Art Education Department at the Faculty of Education in Maribor, The Slovenian National Theatre Maribor and the Puppet Theatre Maribor. The latter artistic institutions have been preparing the basis of the drama studies curriculum, using their human resources as well as spatial-technical and programme potentials, whereas the Art Education Department offers the basis for the Fine arts studies curriculum, using their human resources (a sufficient number of university lecturers holding appropriate titles) and their own artistic creation (by professors as well as students). Through the years, the department turned into one of the major cultural centres in the city, managing a renowned exhibition space and extensive publishing activity. The Academy of Arts will implement and develop the programmes based on Bologna declaration that will be comparable to European study programmes, open and flexible, integrated in the international artistic trends. The concept of programmes will be interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, designed so as to enable development and upgrading as well as connections with related institutions in Slovenia and abroad, and with the general public sector, services and the economy.

Edward Clug The dancer and choreographer Edward Clug was born in 1973 in Romania. Between the years 1983 and 1991 he studied at the State Ballet School of Cluj – Napoca. From 1991 he has been a ballet soloist in the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor and from 2003 he has also been the ballet manager in Slovenian National Theatre Maribor. He is the author of the following choreographies: Babylon by Tomaž Pandur (Slovenian National Theatre Drama, Maribor, 1996), choreographic miniature One (3rd National ballet competition, 1997), the choreography for the final show of Thessaloníki, Greece as the European Capital of Culture (1997). In the year 1998 he created the successful show Tango for the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor. In 1999 the show was awarded the best dance creation award by the Society of ballet artists of Slovenia. In the same year he created the choreography for the Silence of the Balkans by Goran Bregović (for the opening ceremony of the Århus Festival, Denmark). He also choreographed Bachelorette (Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet, Ljubljana, 2000), Palermo by Goran Bregović (Santa Rosalia Festival, Italy, 2000), Amadeus by Sebastijan Horvat (Slovenian National Theatre Drama, Maribor, 2001), A solo for two chairs (Ochi International Ballet Company, Japan, 2001), First Letter & P. S. (4th International ballet and modern dance competition, Nagoya, Japan, 2002), Dictionary of the Khazars by Tomaž Pandur (Sava Center, Belgrade, 2002), Lacrimas (Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet, Maribor, 2002) with which he participated at the Ochi International Ballet Festival in 2003 in Nagoya, Japan. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work: Special award for the best choreographic miniature One (Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet, Ljubljana, 1997), in the year 1998 he received an award for the best choreography of the past five years at the 18th international ballet festival in Varna (for Blind Tango choreography), special award for Tango for the best choreography at the 3rd international competition in Nagoya, Japan (1999), for the same show he also received the DBUD award for the best dance show of the year 1999, in the year 2000 he received the Povodni mož award for Bachelorette, in 2001 he was awarded 3rd place at the 9th international ballet competition in Moscow (Solo for two chairs), in 2003 he was awarded 3rd place and public award at the 17th international competition of choreographers in Hanover, DBUS award for the best ballet show of the year 2003. In 2005 he was awarded the Prešeren Fund Award. He works at home and abroad and has participated at various festivals, e.g. Sarajevo (Sarajevo winter), Dubrovnik (International Summer festival), Graz (Dance Theatre Festivals), Belgrade (BITEF), Ljubljana, Split... In 2004 he enchanted the public in Karlsruhe and Podgorica with his show Lacrimas and in the same year performed in Monaco (Monaco Dance Forum Festival). In 2005 he visited Greece (Second International Dance Platform, Volos).

98 Edward Clug: The Architecture of Silence, Opera and Ballet, SNG Maribor

Performing Arts

SNG Maribor is the largest cultural institution in Slovenia. Its future orientation is to continue the existing programme, but with a better recognisability of individual segments of the Theatre (Drama, Opera, Ballet, Orchestra). The cultural programme includes a multitude of performances and cultural events in theatres, museums and galleries. In 2005, 947 theatre plays in Maribor were seen by 234,000 spectators. The Drama section produces 276 plays annually, which attract 43,500 spectators, while the Opera and Ballet section counted 96,900 spectators to their 134 performances. The artistic-conceptual level of the SNG Drama programme comprises a change in artistic orientation of the repertoire and a new selection of directors. Theatre directors of younger generation (Vito Taufer, Sebastijan Horvat, Diego Debrea) will be directing two or three plays annually, along with other directors, such as Jaša Jamnik, Matjaž Latin, Damir Zlatan Frey, Ivana Vujić, Piotr Cieplak, Janusz Kica and international authors. Additional programme objectives include: integrated promotion based on celebrity system; increased promotion of major regional celebrities, such as the ballet dancer and choreographer Edward Clug, the solo singer Sabina Cvilak, the conductor Marko Letonja, the director Matjaž Berger etc.; production that will integrate all sections of the Theatre house (i.e. a big spectacle production); connecting with tourism through Slovenian Tourist Organisation; connecting with the avant-garde Anton Podbevšek Theatre and the Ptuj repertoire theatre (Monodrama), as well as with puppet theatres in the region and wider; establishing smaller units – small production units for youth and children theatre, connecting with border areas, such as intermedia and visual arts. The Borštnikovo srečanje festival is a gathering of numerous domestic and foreign professional theatres in Slovenia. The Festival traditionally takes place in Maribor. In the future, the festival shall include an international extension, especially in Slavic geographical areas, as well as a connection with the neighbouring regions, the Styria region in Austria, Hungary and Croatia.

The Maribor Puppet Theatre produces 458 plays annually, which attract 67,700 spectators. In the 1930s it made a name for itself as a theatre mostly producing plays for children and staging new texts of contemporary Slovenian children and youth literature. Its repertoire also includes Slovenian classics, adapted for the puppet theatre, which uses all puppet technologies. They take part in numerous international festivals at home and abroad and have received many awards. Since 1990, they have been organizing the international puppet festival, named Summer Puppet Port (Poletni lutkovni pristan), which is to serve as the main programme promotion in the future.

Inner World Theatre: Medea, Institute of Cultures Maribor

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Narodni dom cultural centre â&#x20AC;&#x201C; comedy and other theatre plays: 79 events, 25,600 spectators. Other stages: Amphitheatre, the First Stage of Prva gimnazija Maribor, RuĹĄe Summer Festival Project: Scenography and Choreography Museum â&#x20AC;&#x201C; establishing the museum to fill the gap in Slovenia. The project is currently at the level of a concept that would have to be analysed, with a location set in the Melje area, probably together with the Museum of Socialism in the old customs house. The Plesna izba Maribor Dance Company has been developing and modernizing approaches in the creative field, as well as technical principles and methods of awareness of movement as an expressive art. Artist in residence programme for securing an experimental platform for young choreographers and dancers, as well as direct interdisciplinary cooperation and free flow of new approaches; establishing an interdisciplinary collaboration network with various cultural institutions (Kibla Multimedia centre, MKC Youth cultural centre Maribor, Bunker, Emanat, En knap, Flota etc.) and cooperation with numerous foreign institutions and artists, such as choreographers, dancers, performers, contemporary dance artists, musicians, actors and visual artists from local, national and foreign performing arts scene, enabling a continuous cooperation, establishing a strong centre, recognizable as regards the location as well as programme, developing an international cultural network, enabling direct communication at the experimental, intellectual and performance levels. Goal: The visiting artist creates together with the local population and presents the creative process as a product of performing and visual art.

Edward Clug: Tango, Opera and Ballet, SNG Maribor

Wider Multimedia Space The old industrial hall is to be rearranged as an artistic creative studio and performing arena. It shall serve to connect the business district Tezno with artistic creations and technological innovations. Apart from artistic installations, located in the urban and suburban environments, and linked with improvisational or ambient dance structures, it would be necessary to bring creativity to shopping centres as well. This way the multimedia space would spread into the urban and suburban environments. Movement would become the creation of everyday life. Streets, squares, city centre, business districts, shopping centres, industrial halls etc. would all become a stage for performing arts. The frontier between reality and imaginative art creativity would be surpassed, Maribor would thus become a dream city; a creature of creativity, like an ancient root, spreading from past to the future. A wide field of artistic creation includes a multimedia mix of everything from traditional arts to visual abstractions of technical innovations. Dancers / movers become virtuosos of the city activities. They are everywhere, and together with musicians, painters, actors etc. form a mobile artistic composition. Goal: Art can happen anywhere at any time.

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Platform of young artists, Plesna izba Maribor dance theatre

Lent Festival, Main stage, Maribor

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Festivals, Events Marpurgi “Dreams into the future” is a performance spectacle on the Drava River, a projection onto a water screen in the middle of the river. For the spectacle based on the motifs of Zlata Vokač the required infrastructure will be mounted permanently: a sound system in Lent, a big water screen, a projector, lasers and “geysers” as a part of the new city veduta. Events: the performance spectacle, film projections and other items shall be incorporated into the opening, which will be performed on the Drava River in the form of a multimedia project. The multidimensional artistic event is based on the novels The Marpurgs and The Book of Shadows by Zlata Vokač, which were published in mid 1980s and in early 1990s and present the medieval history of Maribor in a completely new and original way, thus shaping a different perception of the values of living in this city in general. Maribor is presented as a multicultural, multilingual, and multinational living environment, where tolerance and coexistence prevail among the citizens. Maribor – the white city on the Drava River is a place, where people from all over Europe converge (it is the central point of roads between Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Venice), either as fugitives or culturally independent people, and here they find their place under the sun. Even though the story is set in the 2nd half of the 15th century, incorporating wider (European) and narrower (Maribor) events of the time, it is its conceptual basis that expresses praise of spiritual freedom and independence, and simultaneously an emotional patriotic belonging to Maribor. The project is a mixture of various performing artistic genres, namely: film, archive footage, theatre, dance, music, computer creation, sound and special effects. The venue will be placed in front of the visitors' stands on the Drava river, the symbol of “bringing and transferring” events over centuries. For the film footage and computer projections, using which the appearance of Maribor from the past will be revived, we shall set up a laser projection onto the water screen on the river, where the creations would be projected. As this auditorium will be huge, enabling the spectators to watch the event not only from the stands but also from the promenade and both the bridges, their projection length would be approx. 40 metres.

Bojan Labovič: Marpurgi 1, digital presentation by Samo Lapajne

Bojan Labovič: Marpurgi 2, digital presentation by Samo Lapajne

Lent Festival (Maribor) The seventeen-day Lent Festival, which is organised by the Narodni dom cultural centre from Maribor, unfolds in the months of June and July. Each year at the beginning of summer it attracts an increasingly high number of visitors to the banks of the Drava River, not only the inhabitants of Maribor, but visitors from entire Slovenia and also from neighbouring countries. All over the world travellers come 103

Bojan Labovič: Marpurgi 3, digital presentation by Samo Lapajne

Lent Festival, fireworks, Maribor

across people who know Maribor just because of the Lent Festival. Because they have already heard about it or have even visited it. More than four hundred events and half a million visitors rank the Lent Festival among the largest of its kind in Europe. Its variety (theatrical plays, musical performances, classical concerts, jazz and popular music, folklore and many other programmes), numerous venues and the lively pulse of all kinds of cultural happenings are a proof that the festival provides the city with increasing significance as and the reputation of a lively cultural centre, which during festival days can proudly compare to many major European cities. This multi-cultural festival, which emerged from the Folkart folklore festival fourteen years ago, is also the winner of numerous awards, including fourteen awards of the International Festival and Events Association (IFEA), uniting under its patronage more than 2500 festivals from around the globe. Vision for the Lent Festival in 2012 The festival must grow gradually in every instance, so that it achieves its pinnacle in the vision for 2012 – the greatest and most important festival of its kind in the radius of 300 km. Along with events of all genres, events in the SNG theatre Maribor and other suitable halls must also be expanded for the minimal entrance fee, particularly at the open-air venues by the Drava river and all Maribor squares and parks, shopping centres, modelled after the Edinburgh Fringe Festival model, and also including a new large multipurpose hall, which will have to be built.

Lent Festival, folk art, Maribor

Lent Festival, Večer stage, Maribor

Programmes that will unfold in these spaces must bring exceptionally high quality and serve an excess of the best world opera, ballet, dance and theatre ensembles: • construction of infrastructure in Lent – a large venue by the Judgement Tower – a new view of Maribor; • construction of a summer theatre in the courtyard of the Minorite church – the theatre would be operational the whole summer; • construction of infrastructure on the left and right banks of the Drava river with pontoons for floating catering premises - opening a new view of the river; • construction of a system of water curtains with the possibility of film and laser productions on the river itself and showing multimedia spectaculars on the Drava river during the festival and at weekends throughout the summer - modelled after the Epcot Centre in Disney World, Florida; • construction of a computer managed system with lighting and sound infrastructure; • introduction of water traffic within rational frames; • construction of footbridges over the Drava river as a promenade link between both river banks; • programme cooperation with all partner cities in the Eastern Cohesion with regard to transmitting programmes of the largest region festival in Europe; • educational accession to all age groups through street workshops and active participation;

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• inclusion of a film festival in the festival events prior to the beginning of the Lent Festival – introduction to the festival and exploitation of festival capacity; • antique fair under the Tito Bridge; • inclusion of different world cuisines in the festival offer. Summer Music Events Koroška cultural summer In this project, which lasts from June until the middle of September, various organisers of cultural events in Koroška integrate to offer cultural events including classical concerts, theatrical performances, popular and ethno music, singersongwriter evenings, folklore performances, cultural evenings, art workshops and exhibitions at various locations in the region. Music Summer in Old Maribor

Martin Bricelj: Robovox at the Glavni trg square, Maribor, 2007

In the month of August at different locations in the old city core of Maribor there is a line up of concerts, workshops and other diverse cultural programmes organised by MKC Maribor. The events are intended to bring life to the town core and are all free of charge. The events, along with cultural as well as educational moments, are intended for general public. Sobota Days Numerous music and theatrical performances, children's performances and art exhibitions take place in the last week of June – from entertainment to classical music in the halls of the Sobota castle, in the town park and numerous other venues in Murska Sobota. Summer in Ptuj This festival combines a series of music, theatrical, educational, sports and entertaining events that are organised throughout the summer by the Centre for interest activities in Ptuj.

Pathetico concert, Pekarna centre, Maribor

Music Summer Velenje A variety of summer cultural offers are organised in the town of Velenje mainly by the Ivan Napotnik cultural centre and the Fran Korun Koželjski music school, comprising concerts and the international summer school entitled Music Summer Velenje.

Vlado Repnik: All About Lesotho, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2006

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Music The music programme is abundantly represented in various fields of cultural life, developing various kinds of music. Among numerous organisers of continual music events, series of season ticket concerts and festivals in the frame of Eastern Cohesion, it is worth mentioning: - The Concert Agency Maribor, today a component part of Narodni dom Maribor, has a tradition of more than 60 years in the field of organising concerts of classical music, as well as other music genres, thus being the oldest agency of its kind in Slovenia and in the region of former Yugoslavia. - The Slovenian National Theatre SNG Maribor, alongside the opera and theatrical activities organises series of orchestral and chamber concerts. - The Janez Trdina cultural centre in Novo mesto and the Marjan Kozina music school, organisers of season ticket concerts of classical and other music genres. - The Kulturni dom cultural centre and music school in Slovenj Gradec, organisers of season ticket concerts of classical and other music genres. - The Ivan Napotnik cultural centre and Fran Korun KoĹželjski music school in Velenje, organisers of season ticket concerts of classical and other music genres. - The Ptuj centre for interest activities and the Ptuj student club as well as ZKD Murska Sobota are concert organisers. The starting-point for further development of music events is a further increase in cooperation between existing cultural centres in the Eastern Cohesion and outside it, especially in the field of cultural tourism as well as exchange of programmes, joint promotion and their upgrading, with an emphasis on the existing music festivals. Orchestral Music Concerts by visiting orchestras in Maribor are organized on permanent basis by the Narodni dom concert agency and annually bring ten concerts of the best world orchestras of different musical traditions and characteristic styles, both within the season series and independently (series of orchestral concerts and series for young people). Valery Gergiev, Adam Fischer, Yakov Kreizberg, Hartmut Haenchen, Marko Letonja, Krzystof Penderecki, Vadim Repin, Julia Fischer, Lars Vogt are just some of the names of soloists and conductors who together with their orchestras have already performed in Maribor. In the near future eminent orchestras such as the Hungary, Czech or Moscow philharmonic, the Bamber symphonic orchestra and numerous other orchestras will also perform in Maribor. Concerts by the SNG Maribor Orchestra â&#x20AC;&#x201C; up to eight concerts annually present partly their own productions and partly

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Carmina Slovenica choir, Maribor

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visiting orchestras such as the Slovenian Philharmonic, Symphonic Orchestra RTV Slovenija and others. Concert activities run within the frame of season ticket concerts and separate concerts. A special emphasis is given to the presentation of Slovenian artists, conductors, soloists and composers.

The biggest museum collection of clothes in Slovenia (Maribor Regional Museum)

The biggest festival of old music Brežice in Slovenia

Concerts by the European Orchestral Academy – initiating its activity in the year 2008, the concerts of the Orchestral Academy within the frame of different series (orchestra, chamber and a series for young people) will be integrated in the activity of the Narodni dom concert agency. The educational activity of the Orchestral Academy will be of major importance, being one of the projects that respond to the expectations of the city of Maribor and the local communes in the wider area (e.g. series of morning or afternoon educational concerts for children, young people and teachers; concerts at schools, in student homes etc.; seminars for music lovers; visits to old people's homes; family concerts…). In this sense the newly initiated Orchestral Academy programme will spread across the whole Eastern Cohesion, the Orchestral Academy will also link up with festivals as well as with activities of local music ensembles that create their own productions. In the field of their own productions of orchestral music in wider area it is worth mentioning the following: the KUD Pošta Maribor brass band, which have achieved great success at both international competitions and guest performances, Maribor's Toti Big Band, the Novo mesto symphonic orchestra at the Marjan Kozina Music school, the Amadeus chamber string orchestra from Maribor, the string orchestra of the Music Artist Association Maribor, the Secondary music school string orchestra, the Slovenj Gradec music school wind orchestra, the Premogovnik Velenje wind orchestra and the Ptuj KD wind orchestra. Chamber Music Up to twelve season ticket and individual concerts in the frame of concert seasons (series of chamber music concerts and series of concerts for young people) featuring various chamber orchestras of world fame and various chamber music programmes that are organised by the Narodni dom concert agency. Series of concerts by resident local chamber music ensembles are organised by the SNG Maribor (Feguš string quartet, Savitra chamber orchestra…). Series of twenty five chamber concerts intended to encourage chamber music to be played especially by young local musicians, as part of Salon of musical artists at the Lent festival, organised by the Narodni dom Maribor concert agency.

The largest festival of chamber music Glasbeni September (Musical September) in Slovenia

Along with guest ensembles and the creativity of existing musical groups, the starting-point for further development of instrumental music is the search for great potential among young musicians in the Eastern Cohesion. It would therefore be worth increasing the cooperation between the existing music schools (the secondary music and ballet school in Maribor, the Marjan Kozina music school in Novo mesto, the Slovenj Gradec music school, the Fran Korun Koželjski music

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school in Velenje, and the Karol Pahor music school in Ptuj) and connect school children in joint projects. Numerous new opportunities for cooperation in different ensembles and creative programmes for creating music will join the creative potential of young musicians from all over Europe, who will work within their orchestral music postgraduate studies in the European Orchestral Academy with its seat in Maribor. It is also worth mentioning the Summer school of the Music Academy in Ljubljana, which is planned to begin its activity in Ptuj in a few years time. Vocal Music There is a rich tradition of choir music in Maribor. Among the most reputable – also internationally recognised choirs – were the KUD Študent choir, the Boris Kraigher academic choir, the youth choir, the Heribert Svetel girls choir and the Slava Klavora male choir. Today the tradition of choir vocal music shows in the attention given to choir singing at different quality and organisational levels: in the city there are numerous active school choirs, amateur and professional choirs. The pillars of choir vocal music and choir tradition in the city today are Vocalis mixed choir, MPZ Slava Klavora choir, Canticum and Liguster vocal groups, Mariborski oktet chamber ensemble, Maribor academic choir. Carmina Slovenica (successor to the Maribor youth choir) with their world tours and competition successes has attained the highest achievement in the history of Maribor’s choral music. In the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor the choir acts as a component part of the opera house corpus of the professional Maribor opera choir. Maribor is the domicile for the state competition for choirs called “Naša pesem” and the International choir competition, which are held alternate years and organised by the Municipality of Maribor together with the Slovenian public fund for cultural activities and the Association of cultural societies of Slovenia. Within the frame of vocal creativity it is worth mentioning the international competition for opera singers Ondina Otta, organised by the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor. Other places in the Eastern Cohesion can also take pride in their precious traditions of choir music. To mention just a few among a multitude of choirs: Ptuj academic choir, Ptuj chamber male choir, KUD Musica Ptuj choir, Adoramus male choir in Slovenj Gradec, Carinthia Cantat choir in Slovenj Gradec, Kajuh male choir in Velenje, the mixed choir in Novo mesto. Hugo Wolf international solo singing school can also boast European recognition. The school is located in Wolf's birth house – the music school in Slovenj Gradec, which is headed by the acknowledged musician and expert on Wolf's solo songs Breda Zakotnik. Jazz Music Maribor once represented the centre of jazz happenings in Slovenia and the meeting place for jazz lovers from Slovenia and the neighbouring countries when brilliant jazz progressionists played their music in the capital of Štajerska.

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Tuba

The stagnation that followed was substituted by the summer Lent or Jazzlent respectively as the most comprehensive jazz festival project, which at the end of the 1990s transformed into an all-Slovenian tribune for creating jazz. In December 1999 under the patronage of the Kibla Multimedia centre set the origin of the Izzven festival and the Skrite note series, which today on average comprise ten concerts per year and present a programme that is among the most consistent and best recognised among all music events in Slovenia, regardless of which type of music it is. Skrite note is denoted by quality in diversity, a defined selection from a wide palette of possibilities and support for new and innovative projects and (Slovenian or world) premieres. Skrite note presents modern music from all over the world, in which it focuses on provocative, modern and innovative methods as well as musicians who in their work surpass the racial, genre, age, and geographical and cultural borders. The general focus of the music programme of Skrite note is “jazz”; however the programme selectors endeavour to select projects that broaden the general concept of jazz. The future directions of jazz music in Slovenia are in promoting the development, as well as acquiring financial support and increasing recognition of Slovenian jazz – in short – a broad project concept of jazz music, which is presented through jazz festivals, concerts series and as a component part of broader planned festivals or club scenes. Rock Music and Alternative Music

Glasbeni September / Musical September, Narodni dom Maribor

These types of music include happenings that are linked mainly to the MKC Maribor, ŠOU Student centre, Kibla, Pekarna Magdalenske Mreže Institution and the club scene in Maribor and the wider region (Rock Otočec). The concert activities include, among others, a series of foreign rock concerts and a series of national rock concerts. The startingpoint for future activity is the organisation of concerts, in which criteria of actuality and expressional and innovative quality of the performers, as well as the social momentum and the promotion of the city of Maribor and its broader area will be taken into consideration.

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Music Festivals Seviqc Brežice Festival The Brežice Festival, which is organised by Ars Ramovš, an institute for art, marketing, promotion and investment, has grown over a period of twenty years from courses on old music and a very small regional festival into a European project. From the very beginning the project comprised international cultural concepts, which today by European standards are extremely up-to-date. Carefully planned conscious and intentional uniting of the best quality productions from the world scene of Early Music promotes the works by Slovenian composers from the past centuries to be performed by prominent internationally renowned artists, and the programme abides by authentic performances (classical music with authentic instruments and authentic performance practice). Every year anew with carefully selected varied programmes the festival shows the colourful musical style of various European countries through the centuries from the medieval times to the beginning of the 20th century, thus breaking

the cliché of the average comprehension of classical and old music. All the venues in which festival concerts are held belong to Slovenia's cultural heritage, and through its publications the Brežice Festival presents them to a broad international community. It is planned for the future to expand the festival according to the so-called Attems trail (among the property owned by the Attems family were the castles in Brežice, Podčetrtek and Slovenska Bistrica as well as the mansion in Dornava). The Festival presents the artistic achievements of past generations, and with the support of young talent brings high quality music to the surroundings and thus draws attention to the origins of centuries of European culture. The objective of this project is to revive the Early Music scene in Slovenia, and the target is to retain the high quality and reputation of one of the most important cultural events in Slovenia, to encourage cultural tourism, encourage the

Hexacordo, Seviqc Brežice Festival, Turjak castle

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founding of departments for old music at conservatoires and music academies, contribute to a higher level of expert critique and set up an artistic, pedagogical and scientific centre for old music that would resound through Europe. The Brežice Festival is an exceptional example of networking in Slovenia. It masters 29 locations in 11 Slovenian communes, Pisa and Zagreb. The communes are Brežice, Dolenjske Toplice, Kamnik, Krško, Mengeš / Trzin, Novo mesto, Postojna, Šmarje pri Jelšah, Trbovlje, Trebnje, the Province of Pisa and the City of Zagreb. The locations are: Bizeljsko (Bizeljsko castle), Brestanica (Rajhenburg castle), Brežice (Brežice castle), Calci (Chiesa di S. Bernardo), Dolenjske Toplice (Church of St Anne, Kristal Hotel), Jable (Jable castle), Mokrice (Mokrice castle), Kamnik (Church of Mary's Immaculate Conception, Zaprice castle, Small castle), Kapela (Church of the Holy Trinity), Kostanjevica na Krki (Monastic church), Kum (Church of St Agnes), Mirna (Mirna castle), Mokronog (Church of the Sorrowful Mother of God on Sorrowful Mount), Novo mesto (Cathedral of St Nicholas), Pišece (Church of St Michael), Postojna (Church of St Stephen, Jama mansion), Riparbella (Chiesa S. Giovanni), San Giuliano (Villa di Corliano), Soteska (Devil's turn), Šentrupert (Church of St Rupert), Šmarje pri Jelšah (Church of St Rok), Trbovlje (Church of St Martin), Zagreb (Church of St Catherine, Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary), Zaplaz (Church of Mary's Accession). Music September – Maribor Festival

Izzven, Jazz Festival Maribor, 2006

The annual September music festival "Glasbeni september" in Maribor has a 45-year-old tradition. The September Music festival of chamber music grew from the former festival of Baroque. In the future the festival will once again step into a new era. From 2008 onwards the artistic management of the festival will be taken over by Richard Tognetti, an exceptional violinist, composer and charismatic director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, which in numerous publications has often been denoted as the best chamber orchestra in the world. Under Tognetti's leadership the festival will preserve its own productions and in programmes and ensembles compiled especially for the festival will acquire new dimensions and a new name – the Maribor Festival. As regards the programme, an interesting expansion of the repertoire is predicted for classical – musical compositions, a stylistic diversity of music – be it on modern or old musical instruments – with chamber ensembles, symphonic orchestras or electronic acoustic ensembles. One of the characteristics of the festival programme is the revitalisation of cultural heritage buildings through music, as concerts will also move out of established venues to spaces that are not typical for this type of music. In this way importance would be gained in the execution of dramaturgy for individual concerts – from lighting design to the social viewpoint of events. Programme guidelines and especially

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the future artistic management of the festival will be in the hands of Richard Tognetti, which has already attracted the attention of the British radio and television broadcasting cooperation BBC, which will record the concerts from 2008 onwards as part of its programmes, presenting them in cooperation with RTV Slovenija. Along with concerts in Maribor, cooperation and repeat concerts are foreseen in other places in Slovenia and abroad (Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec Dornava, Varaždin, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Graz…). Maribor Festival Programme from 2008 onwards: Residential orchestra – every year the festival will offer residential guest appearances to various chamber string orchestras (Camerata Salzburg, Australian Chamber orchestra, European Orchestral Academy, Chamber string orchestra SF…). The core of orchestra performances will be presented by concerts performances of operas with modern choreography as well as the so-called “All Stars Orchestra” projects, within which a residential orchestra will cooperate with top foreign and local performers, soloists and conductors. Residential composer – part of the festival programme will be earmarked for the original performance of new music, written especially for the festival, which will be integrated into the festival events programme (Osvaldo Golijov, Vinko Globokar, Aldo Kumar, Krzysztof Penderecki…). Interactive music projects – inclusion of photographs (Bill Henson…), films, theatre, ballet and modern dance as well as music artists from “non-classical” musical genres (David Byrne…). Young musicians at the festival – the festival will continue to offer the possibility for cooperating and joining young talented musical artists in their own programme. Festival for the young – educational programmes will include events intended for various age groups of young people, as well as music workshops (rec. ensemble performances, improvisation, and composition), of the try-it-yourself type, connected to a defined festival topic. Accompanying events – lectures, exhibitions, Before and after concert talks and socializing with artists remains one of the festival's permanent fixtures. Networking and cooperation in similar festivals inside and outside of Europe – building up the festival's recognition, opening out, connections and exchange of contacts is a continual process, to which great attention will be paid. Festival cooperation with tourist organisations – from the viewpoint of designing joint cultural-tourist products, the festival will in the future also cooperate with various cultural tourism services at the Slovenian as well as foreign markets. Attacca Festival (Maribor) The festival of vocal music composed after the year 1950, including art music and jazz as well as pop and ethnic choir music, the festival that encourages people to join choirs,

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Goga Atrium, Novo mesto

draws young performers and listeners closer to vocal music, thus representing an exceptional opportunity for meetings and gatherings of singers and musicians. A festival open to Slovenian and foreign choirs that preserves and refreshes the rich tradition of Slovenian choir singing. Attaca is an international festival for choirs, singers and conductors offering numerous concerts and various workshops, which are conducted by leading experts from the world of choir singing. The festival will embrace the international project Songbridge – under the patronage of UNESCO. The organizer – the concert choir Carmina Slovenica with its conductor Karmina Šilec is one of the leading ensembles in choral music worldwide. A highly distinguished musical expert once wrote: “...The Slovenian choir's place is on the world's stages between Berlin and San Francisco...” The prestigious reputation of the choir has been confirmed by numerous concerts around the world – from the Cankarjev dom congress and cultural centre in Ljubljana to the San Francisco Symphony Hall, the Teresa Careño theatre in Caracas, the Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires, all the way to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. By “Choregie – vocal theatre” Carmina Slovenica presents a new concept incorporating music, drama, movement and other performing elements. The latest stage productions of such kind were: Scivias, Vampirabile, Slovenian sounds, From time immemorial, CS Light, Adiemus – award winning productions performed at many international festivals and broadcasted by the European Broadcasting Union and Eurovision. Izzven Festival of Modern Jazz (Maribor)

Izzven, Jazz Festival Maribor, 2006

The Izzven Festival is held every year at the beginning of November and is organised by MMC Kibla and Narodni dom Maribor at various venues in Maribor. From its very beginning in the year 1999 has represented a modern music range from all over the world, which mainly derives from the creative tradition of jazz and ethno music mixed with modern influences. The festival focuses on the innovative, modern and provocative style of musicians, who with their performances surpass genre, age, geographical cultural and race limitations and stereotypes. The Izzven festival acts beyond the division of popular and serious music, composed and improvised music, classical modern and avantgarde, high-, sub- and popular - culture, beyond aesthetic preference and stylistic denotation. The festival successfully addresses above all (however not exclusively) the middle and younger generations of listeners. Jazzinty Festival (Novo mesto) This event is held every year in the month of August, and is organised by the Festival Novo mesto at different venues in the town of Novo mesto. Numerous internationally renowned jazz musicians participate in the project. The project is divided into educational and concert programmes. The educational programme includes tutor-led programmes spanning from master courses for the highest level of

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musicians (Jazzinty Advanced in Jazzinty Experimental) and different levels of instruction for individual instruments to a basic programme on jazz harmony, lectures, combo training (on the basis of auditions) for different types of jazz. The concert programme includes festival concerts with the final concert, jam sessions at different venues and the Jazzon Award – a competition for the Slovenian composers award Jazzon, in which students of workshops participate in voting for the audience award, they can also register their own compositions. Rock Otočec Festival (Novo mesto) Rock Otočec is an open-air music festival in the region of Dolenjska. The first Rock Otočec was held in the year 1976, and since 1997 it has been a regular event. The Festival takes place at the beginning of July. The event venues are Prečna airport by Novo mesto and a meadow in Otočec by the Krka River. Renowned and less known Slovenian and foreign performers play at the festival. Part of the festival is earmarked for young groups that have won the opportunity to perform at the festival by participating in pre-selection competitions. Etnika Festival (Maribor) The Pekarna club Maribor organises this annual two-day ethnic festival for lovers of ethno music each year in the month of September. Festival Etnika is intended to promote the inter-cultural dialogue in Maribor. No Border Jam Festival (Maribor) This is the biggest festival of underground rock music, which is held in the month of August and is organised by Pekarna and MKC Maribor. Dušan Hedl, who started the festival, and who has successfully prepared it with the participation of numerous Slovenian and foreign groups, has for many years been bringing in numerous other attractions such as stalls, body art performances and everything else that should be found at an alternative rock festival. MKC Underground Festival (Maribor) This underground festival is a show of all new upcoming secondary school subculture music groups. In performances by larger and more established local groups they appear as accompanying groups, thus being provided with the opportunity to perform to a broader public. Garage Explosion Festival (Maribor) This festival arose on the initiative of musicians from the Slovenian rock scene and has been co-organised by the Pekarna Magdalenske mreže institute and AGD Gustaf. It offers quality groups playing modern creative rock and roll. MED – Maribor Electronic Destination The focus is on contemporary electroacoustic music that has emerged from the European Avant-gardes of the 20th century, particularly twelve-tone music that was devised by Arnold Schoenberg based on the principles set by Karlheinz

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Stockhausen, the German explorer of sonority, and further developed by performers and theoreticians of Musique concrète, such as the French composer Pierre Schaeffer. Kibla celebrated the European year of intercultural dialogue and Slovenia’s Presidency of the EU in first half of the year by organizing a new festival of intermedia arts with a special emphasis on music expression. The festival of electronic and electroacoustic music with a strong international participation, taking place at several locations, is based on a multilayered and multisectoral approach to organization and execution. Foreign performers are joined by those from Slovenia. MED – Maribor electronic destination, the international festival of electronic and electroacoustic music was organised in 2008 for the first time. MED is going to grow into an internationally acclaimed festival of electronic and electroacoustic music, the contents of which will enhance the music palette of the region and engrave its activity on the map of Europe. Project In the scope of developing popular segments of music, platforms for open-air concerts will be constructed for the entire Eastern Cohesion region of Slovenia. These open-air concerts would undoubtedly contribute to diverse activity in Maribor and increase foreign interests in the city of Maribor, thus contributing to the promotion of the Eastern Cohesion region. In this way Maribor would be positioned as one of the cultural capitals of Europe.

Projects European Orchestral Academy (Maribor) This project is focused on founding a special (private) educational institute specialized in training of young musicians, who have already finished their undergraduate studies or university education, for playing in the most demanding European professional orchestras. A component part of the educational organisation will also be a permanent symphonic orchestra, its productions being similar to those of a professional orchestra. The ambition of the project is to be one of top orchestras in Europe as regards its quality. The location of Žiče Manor has been proposed for the longterm placement of the academy. In the plans for the spatial needs of the academy the location at Žiče Manor has proven feasible, as with the reconstruction of the former mansion stables it is also possible to acquire residential rooms for students. Some rooms in the Minorite monastery and Minorite church will be used jointly as halls for chamber music. Considering the programme, the placement of the academy in this location shows to be ideal from the viewpoint of compatibility of planned programmes in this city complex, as theatrical, educational, concert and festival activities will

increase the effectiveness and economic infrastructure and will enable quality permanent revival of this part of the city centre. As the educational programme of the orchestral academy and the new knowledge and skills of the students “produce” symphonic and chamber concerts and other cultural events in relation to music, Narodni dom Maribor as a project partner will have an important role in the inclusion of new cultural productions in the local and wider cultural space. Hugo Wolf (Slovenj Gradec) Reorganisation of the composer's birth house into the Hugo Wolf memorial museum and Hugo Wolf international documentation centre (in cooperation with and support of the International Association of Hugo Wolf Societies), and to draw up a complete tourist product for marketing promotion and marketing of Slovenj Gradec as the birth place of Hugo Wolf.

Orchestral Academy Maribor in eastern Lent area

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Slow Listening We live in a time of a fast music industry and superficial events. In the flood of concerts many of them try to be very appealing, so as to draw attention to all our senses, offering us music that is almost indigestible. Everyday we listen to hours and hours of music, yet we do not hear or understand it anymore. We serve and eat fast food, and this is precisely what our behaviour towards music is like. We no longer take time to really listen attentively to music and the choice we have is not really wide. Today everything is ever more superficial, “fast prepared” music, with no message and no depth. The objective of the Slow Listening movement is to link together the pleasure of listening to exceptional performances with endeavours to preserve the innumerable different music styles (from traditional music to modern art music), which are vanishing, as it is much easier and faster to transform arrangements of traditional, early and classical music into an instant music product. Slow Listening endeavours to protect and preserve our invaluable music legacy. It wants to give listeners the opportunity to listen to music with an understanding of musical expressions, with a long enough break between individual compositions, which is extremely important for the emotional and intellectual mediation of all the compositions in a concert program. Slow Listening organises concerts, events and performances of exceptional music quality: music from different eras (from early to modern music); different musical structures (from soloist to orchestral music, from vocal to instrumental music); different musical styles regarding their origin (traditional, ecclesiastical and artistic music); listening to music with ample time for mediation about each composition. Slow Listening is a movement that understands music with regard to cultural policy, educational and cultural management. The goal of the movement is to become an active link between music culture and cultural sociology. The love for performing and listening to music is linked to awareness and responsibility, advocating the diversity of music styles and compositions, and broadening the education about music tastes. Its events and offers bring the listener closer to exceptional artists and authors. Rusalka The vocal theatre or Theatre of voices sets new proportions between expressional means, it sets new staging hierarchy, which through voice defines the scores of modern vocal works. The Rusalka project is an intermediate form between concert and stage, live artistry that is not ended and

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finished. It is slanted towards pure music, but at the same time shaking off control and developing into a more modern atmosphere. It represents research of the music space – with decreed precedence in expression. It researches new sounds, new vocal techniques, and new forms of expression. In the focus of this artistic concept are musical theatre and interdisciplinary work with electronics, video, visual art, drama, literature and coordination of contrasting elements of modern vocal music. The rich original tradition, which is found in the image of Rusalka, inspired the author of the project Karmina Šilec to create a musical scene project from the songs and rituals of the ancient legend. Using the ancient traditions she will create a non-narrative performance about Rusalka. !Kebatola! Ensemble Under the artistic leadership of Karmina Šilec this ensemble brings together experienced performers who are active in different fields of music – from opera, choral and ethno to jazz. Three spheres form the repertoire: medieval and modern music creativity and ethnic vocal music. The ensemble is dedicated to the study and performance of early polyphony and chorales from the medieval codex and vocal parts from our time – the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Depending on the repertoire – from solo to chamber works – she also adapts the programme to its capacity. Innovative programmes research the works of music that originated in the Middle Ages, and place them alongside the modern creations from the very edge of avant-garde. Showing great interest, new sounds are researched, new vocal techniques and new forms of expression. The focus of this artistic concept is on the field of musical theatre and interdisciplinary work with electronics, video, visual art, drama, literature and coordination of contrasting elements of modern vocal music. In the repertoire segment, dealing with the performance of ethnic vocal music, the selection of compositions is very diverse: from Ukrainian, Swedish and African music to Slovenian folk songs and treatment of south European folk melodies – all in the characteristic vocal technique. !Kebataola! stimulates the new and awakens the old. It reflects an intensive confrontation of different aesthetic standards as the foundation of authentic performances of the old and new. The goal is a successful introduction of such music into public music life, aimed at replacing the traditional hierarchical structure that can be found in everyday music practice.

Literature University Library: 940,000 units, 434,000 units borrowed annually; Maribor Public Library: network of 20 libraries acquires 42,000 book units and has 570,000 visitors annually, 1,300 events with 43,000 visitors. We have 21 non-commercial and 22 commercial periodical publications. There are seven publishing houses with non-profit cultural publishing programmes and the following bookshops: Za:misel bookshop, Litera bookshop, Mladinska knjiga bookshop (Mestna knjigarna bookshop on Gosposka street, bookshop on Jurčičeva street, Europark shopping centre), University bookshop, bookshop on Partizanska street, Felix bookshop in Kolosej, Slomšek bookshop on Slomškov square, Ciproš antique and second hand bookshop on Poštna street and in the Multicultural centre Pekarna complex, Pisana beseda antique bookshop on Poštna street. Objectives: updating the already existing local libraries in every city and town into small cultural production units – culture chambers – with individual specific contemporary cultural programmes. Bookshops and Publishing Houses At local level it would be sensible to emphasize one or a few books by giving it/them the title book of the year. Prices of these books would be considerably lower and therefore attainable for more people. Nominating one book to the Bralna značka association; this would then become mandatory read in primary schools. Primary schools would prepare exhibitions, invite authors to openings etc. Connecting all local institutions and encouraging them to incorporate the literary theme in the rest of their activities, integrating them into a sensible whole (e.g. galleries, multimedia performances, coffeehouses). Organizing literary events outside institutions (City Park, Drava banks, Maribor Island, Lent Festival). Lectures, debates, round tables on literature, literary theory etc.

Gal Gjurin, Festival ljubezni / Festival of love, literary festival in Svečina, 2008

At regional level, collaboration with writers, publishers, book marketing experts and librarians will be included in the programme, which means that round tables, debates and lectures on the subject will be organized, e.g. within Slovenian book days. Literary events, such as Medana, Vilenica and Slovenian book days should be brought closer to people not physically present at these festivals, e.g. organizing part of the Medana festival programme in Maribor (in MMC Kibla, on different locations etc), Murska Sobota, Celje, Ptuj, thus marking this literary event. Organizing literary readings and presentations in institutions that don't usually organize such events (e.g. Associations of retired persons, The Slovenian association of disabled persons, The Centre for Hearing and Speech Maribor etc.), or invite them to events in these institutions. Establishing collaboration with the General libraries Association.

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Organizing literary events in towns across Slovenia that have not yet fully developed literary activity. Cooperation with state institutions, such as the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Economy, City municipalities. Accentuating connections of literary culture and economics. Establishing collaboration with the General libraries Association. Every city in Slovenia has a general public library, which offers the possibility of organizing presentations within these libraries (presentations of the best or the not yet established local authors). These kinds of events would stimulate and promote the reading culture even in environments, where it is not yet part of the local consciousness. Such presentations and readings would later become regular events. At international level: setting up promotional stalls on book fairs in Slovenia and abroad (e.g. book fairs in Frankfurt, Bologna, London, Moscow and Prague). Presentations of the Slovenian authors translated into foreign languages on book fairs and symposiums. Interactive web pages, used for updating programme information, education about Slovenian literary history and contemporary production, as well as for a database on all literary, publishing and book-preserving institutions in Slovenia and abroad. www.readme.cc Virtual Library Objective: contributing to the integration of electronic and classic media, in this case the Internet and literature, and at the same time, constituting international literary canon. This is a virtual library that publishes book reviews in English, French, Hungarian and German language. Some of these reviews are also translated into other languages (of all contributing countries). Other activities: organizing literary events, enabling contact and connections of translators and publishers (in the sense of information exchange about possible translations of literary works). Festival of Love In the little village of SveÄ?ina in- and outside the Castle, just beside the Austrian border, the international literary Festival of Love takes place in March, at the beginning of spring. Experience the exciting springtime love. The main focus of the Festival of Love is on literature, yet other types of art, e.g. theatre, film, video, dance, performance, music, theory that are close to the theme are given space as well. Until 2012, when Maribor and its partner cities are the European Capital of Culture, the festival is planned to be established as a traditional literary event in Slovenia, gradually acquiring an international air. The long-term vision for the festival incorporates cross-

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AleĹĄ Ĺ teger, literary reading, Za:misel bookshop, Maribor, 2006

border integration as regards both artists and visitors, the base for which has already been established in 2008, when Festival of Love was premiered. The main stress of the programme is on prominent Slovene, European and international literary authors, who present themselves at literary readings and talks, in discussions, and in the time between all the scheduled events, during evening concerts, culinary tastings, in the pleasant environment of Svečina, accompanied by hospitable local winemakers. The festival particularly welcomes children, for whom special readings and multimedia workshops are organised. For the time when their parents are attending other literary events, children care is provided, ensuring they are not bored. The Glazer House

Slovenj Gradec is the birth city of the world-famous romantic musician Hugo Wolf (1860–1904), the master of hymns.

The famous Slovenian poet, successor of the Modern period of Slovenian literature and the canonized classic Janko Glazer is, so to speak, one of Maribor's main brands that should be given permanent value. His birth house in Ruše is still standing and if renovated it could be remodelled into a permanent international cultural space with various contents. The Glazer House is anticipated to be the place of intercultural meetings (Slovenia meeting the rest of the world and vice versa) and the house of different genres of culture. It is intended to be a place of artistic activity on theMaribor margins, a place of intercultural cultural work, its existence representing a broadened idea of art. Activities would take place throughout the whole year there, including exhibitions, meetings, literary events, presentations of authors, painting colonies etc. Bistrica Literary Festival was born in 2006 in Slovenska Bistrica, on the initiative of Litera Publishing. Three days of literary and cultural events at the Bistrica castle are intended for all age groups, whereas the accompanying programme comprises all cultural genres, serving as additional promotion of top Slovenian literature. The organizers firmly believe that the issues of the existence of Slovenian writers, Slovenian books, the Slovenian language as well as the situation and opportunities related to them exert considerable influence on cultural contact, as well as important social issues, and help establish the spiritual hygiene and national concern, important for our common cultural and artistic existence and identity.

A rich mythology of witches, dwarves, local heroes, Turjaška Rozamunda, Erazem Predjamski, Peter Klepec, Martin Krpan, King Matjaž

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Myth Stories, the Stories of Present Slovenians have a very rich mythological tradition, which is not a homogeneous close structure, but an intensively dynamic field where traces of various traditions can be encountered, from the antiquity to the Slavic tradition, which has been confirmed by recent research. In contemporary literature, the myth remains one of the motive powers, both by its structural features as well as through immediate paraphrase. In this sense the Slovenian literature is extremely rich. The myth seems a very topical issue, as it is still strongly present in the postmodern reality despite all the critique. At the same time its suggestiveness hides in the liveliness of the polemics that it keeps inducing. Ultimately it is myths that make us encounter the fundamental questions of or social and individual life, one way or the other. The common thread of the activity as a whole is myth stories, the stories of present, the purpose of the project being a presentation of the Slovenian myth tradition and its literary articulation to the worldwide public. The Myth tradition will be presented in a panorama book on the topic, possibly written by Dr Janez Šmitek and his colleagues. The book will be published in the original language as well as three world languages in cooperation with renowned foreign publishing houses. Thus it could be offered not only to visitors but also on foreign markets. This principle would be considered when preparing any other publications. In cooperation with the National TV, intending to film the story of the Slovenian mythological tradition for a documentary series, we will prepare an appealing and interesting web presentation. The myth in Slovenian literature will be presented in a special book collection featuring six titles: an anthology of Slovenian poetry, an anthology of short writings, a drama collection, two novels and a special edition – a collection of twenty essay-like prose works by major Slovenian authors, the topic of which will be selected by public voting. In cooperation with the Borštnikovo srečanje festival of theatre art, a symposium will be organized on the Slovenian drama and the myth. In cooperation with the Poetikon magazine, the Pranger festival and the Herberstein meeting, a symposium will be held in Velenje, dedicated to poetry and the myth. A similar discussion on prose will be prepared in cooperation with Franc Franc publishing in Velika Polana, in the birth house of Miško Kranjec currently featuring the only residential centre for foreign literary authors in Slovenia. Furthermore, the theatres of the region – Maribor, Celje, Ptuj, Novo mesto – could feature a series of new performances to interpret the Slovenian and foreign theatre tradition dealing with the

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Slovenski narod (the Slovene nation) – the first Slovenian newspaper, edited by Anton Tomšič and Josip Jurčič

myth. Radio Slovenia could broadcast a retrospective of Slovenian radio plays related to the myth.

The cradle of Pandur’s theatre in 1990’s

We want to bring the current development of the myth to the creative space of the Eastern region. The central attention is thus placed on the experimental one-year establishment of a literary-translation centre in one of the renovated castles. In contrast with foreign countries, Slovenia has no such centre, its establishment thus being of key importance for the country, which provides the centre with a likely continuation of its activity. Numerous translators and writers would not only create in our environment, at the same time learning about its mythology, but also perform in various towns throughout the region, thus interacting with the environment and animating the local literary life. The book collection would be continued by another two books. The guests of the literary-translation centre would be invited to write a story or an essay, related to a myth or maybe an experience from Slovenia. The other book would be an anthology of contemporary world poetry, created by numerous editors from various environments. These two books would be printed in several languages. Much more could be realized within this programme, such as a competition for the best European essay on the topic – maybe in cooperation with FAZ – philosophy meetings, screenplay workshops... The topic of myth seems a great framework, opening up a whole range of literary activity.

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123 Jernej Lorenci, Pinocchio, Maribor Puppet Theatre, 2007

Visual Arts The Maribor Art Gallery with its three exhibition areas (2,740 paintings, a video collection, 30,000 visitors annually), Kibla – KiBela exhibition area with 50 exhibitions and 100,000 visitors annually, Media Nox Gallery, Stolp Photo gallery located in the Jewish Tower (Židovski stolp), Maribor Fine Artists Society (DLUM) Gallery, Ars sacra Gallery, Festič Gallery, Hest Gallery and other private exhibition areas, museum exhibitions – Regional Museum Maribor (The Castle), Museum of National Liberation Maribor, museum exhibition areas in Arhivum and Hades – Regional archive, Urban exhibition place – urbanism, architecture etc.

Dušan Tršar comprehensive exhibition, Murska Sobota Gallery

Extension of the existing programmes will be achieved with the reconstruction of the regional visual centre Maribor Art Gallery, the establishment of the formal East Cohesion galleries network, which could later develop into the Slovenian galleries network, with further development possibilities in the direction of former Yugoslavia – Zagreb, Split, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Sarajevo, Mostar, Skopje, Priština, Cetinje –, and the establishment of the East Europe network. A special segment relates to the trend of moving out of galleries into the urban environment, as well as artistic rendering of industrial heritage (e.g. Intes granaries). Art and Environment Programme The Maribor Art Gallery is working on its largest international event, the 9th Ecology and Art triennial. The thematic starting point of the event is connecting art, ecology, science, urbanism and the living environment. The starting point can also be presented by one of the possible topics, connecting the whole programme and activities within the European Capital of Culture. Until 2012 Maribor Art Gallery will work intensively on establishing and encouraging the international, particularly European and regional network, the members of which will actively collaborate and help shape the triennial programme. The network will bring together various complementary fields: economical institutions, new technology institutions and individuals, humanism experts, education and art. Within the whole network, art will play an important role, although not as a separate unit, but as part of the system, nurturing creative heritage. All network partners together will polemicize our sensitivity to our common ecological environment. Cooperation with at least ten international institutions is anticipated, as well as with thirty artists or art groups and twenty researchers from the European, national and local environments.

Boštjan Drinovec, “Little rebels at the edge of the Pannonian Plain”, 2003, quartz, iron, wood, 80x80x9, Murska Sobota Gallery

Velenje – visual arts activities are based on the acclaimed artists (Ivan Napotnik, Ciril Cesar, Alojz Zavolovšek, Majda Kurnik), linked with the area, as well as on a growing number of young artists, making their name presently. The local economy and especially the Gorenje design collection

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represent a good partner for establishing a design centre in the Velenje Gallery. Contemporary architecture with successful local architects can also be presented in the Gallery, which covers the area of the whole region, with tendencies of spreading into the European space. Projects: international calls for applications for sculptors, intended to enhance the already rich public sculpting heritage; establishing the Gorenje design collection; the most successful contemporary architecture projects (in Slovenia and Europe); good practice presentations, presentations of art works from the gallery collection, analyses of the production situation in the 20th century, public presentations, round tables, lectures and comparative development presentations. Slovenj Gradec – Koroška Gallery of Fine Arts is one of the central Slovenian contemporary painting institutions, which has also been highly present in the international space for decades. In 2012, at the time of the European Capital of Culture, the gallery will prepare several resounding visual and intermedia art projects together with international partners. Slovenj Gradec has been the organizer of an important national project, the biannual exhibition of Slovenian traditional and hand crafts. The Koroška Gallery of Fine Arts programme will present a unique synthesis of all the previous works, projects, and the programme

directions of the gallery, and will set focal points for the future development strategy. By 2012 the Biannual Slovenian traditional and hand crafts exhibition will develop into a panEuropean exhibition/presentation/promotion of such crafts. Murska Sobota Gallery will prepare several exhibitions of contemporary Slovenian and foreign artists as part of its regular programme in 2012. As a special project, it will organise a scientific symposium on small plastic art in Europe, with national and international experts participating. Their contributions will subsequently be published in a compendium. Novo mesto: within artistic producton (photography), Fotopub is of major importance at the national level, also featuring a European dimension. Through the Fotopub international photography workshop, the development and increasing quality of photography production has been ensured, thus establishing Novo mesto as the centre of photography education in Slovenia. The process is only further supported by cooperation with partnership municipalities (e.g. Maribor). European sculpting exhibition 2012 will include artists from the whole of Europe. The works presented will be selected by an international jury of four people (representatives of Slovenia and Portugal, as well as two internationally established selectors). The jury will issue

Maribor Art Gallery, Viteška dvorana hall

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Pekarna centre, Hladilnica Gallery

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an invitation for applications and decide on the exhibition's topic in 2010. The latter will serve as a guideline for the participating artists. Information on the exhibition will be available on the web page, which will be established for the purpose. The exhibition will take place at a chosen location in Maribor, and will later move to other European locations for the same length of time. Europa Viva International

Dušan Fišer: Antelope and the enigma of the mental structure of space, Rotovž exhibition saloon, Maribor

Europa viva sculpture symposium revives the tradition of public sculpture symposiums by organizing a large international event with participants from all over Europe, possibly also from the rest of the world. The sculptors enrolled and invited will spend a month and a half in Maribor, working on monumental sculptures from the Pohorje granite, the stone that has a long tradition of use in the Maribor area. At this time, the city will again be a cultural and sculpture metropolis. Sculptors will work in the stone-pit or at a chosen location in the city surroundings. The finished sculptures will be placed on the Vrbansko plateau at the Western edge of Maribor, where they would make a wonderful addition to this natural attraction of the city, and would show to visitors the importance and emphasis Maribor puts on culture. Pekarna Centre The concept of a contemporary centre for art and cultural production "Pekarna Cultural centre" is based on continuation and supplementation of the existing festival, concert, exhibiting, information and education programmes, with a view to enhance them and create production situations, based on connecting different media and concepts in the urban culture scene. The consortium is comprised of representatives of the Users of Pekarna Council: Garage gallery, La Vitrine gallery, Gallery Hall 1 and 2, Hiška – Supernova (small concert area), Bukvarna Antique and Second Hand Bookshop (literary events), "Teater za voglom" Theatre (small theatre for performances, literary evenings...), "Hladilnica" hall (gallery, concert hall, movie theatre, theatre), Klub MC (small concert hall), Gustaf (concert hall, theatre, movie theatre). Museum of Traditional and Hand Crafts Centre of Applicable Arts

Maribor Art Gallery

The general idea of the project is to establish a research centre for traditional and hand crafts (belt-makers, goldsmiths, engravers, photographers, blacksmiths) and studios for the international artists exchange programme – the artist in residence programme in the Nasek Manor (Vetrinjska street 30). The mansion is a logical choice for such activities because of its location in the city centre, the fact that the otherwise respectable premises are now abandoned, the need for cultural revival of the old city core and potentials of international cultural exchanges. In addition, it is also in concurrence with municipal idea for the use of premises, the Municipality of Maribor being the owner of the manor.

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The concept includes establishing the Centre of applicable arts by renovating and revitalizing an old building at the city borders or in a suburban area (transfer of new contents, visitors and events into the environment). Fields of creativity to be included: mosaic, restoration of antiques and old furniture, paving, horticulture (park, bonsai trees etc.), living culture, Feng Shui, special techniques for wall painting, interior architecture etc. Intertwining of contents: arts and crafts, cultural heritage, industrial design, unique design, art history (art and applicability, form and function, style analysis, expert methods), material culture (object as a document of everyday life), history of arts and crafts, particularities and methods of applied art, historical art movements, modern and contemporary movements, techniques, materials and characteristics, ceramics and glass, textile fabrics, metal, contemporary materials, furniture. Cooperation with similar events and organizations in the exchange of programmes, knowledge and events, and participation of interested business subjects that are active in the previously mentioned areas.

Dokma – a festival of documentary film in Maribor

Magdalena The international festival of creative communications Magdalena takes place at various locations in Maribor, particularly reanimating the Jewish Square. The Magdalena Festival consists of three equivalent parts – competition, education and meetings, as well as creation of social networks for further cooperation. The aim of the festival is to preserve constructive criticism, warn about the importance of social responsibility of contemporary communication practices, the importance of creative thinking and functioning to spread new, fresh ideas and views on modern society. Through activities they want to become the most credible, relevant, entertaining festival of top quality in the field of visual communications for young creators. The aim of the festival in the frame of activities is to deepen its presence in the city, to extend activities and communication about the festival abroad. People all want to individualise their own living spaces and modern media enable us to be almost completely informed on new topics (television, the Internet, books, printed magazines, educational events), so we only need to be offered to actively participate and learn about new skills (for our own enthusiasm and advantage). It is about helping the individual to raise their living quality and to spend their free time in a useful way.

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Magdalena – in Maribor – the only Slovenian international festival of creative communication in Slovenia

Film and Cinematography The World on the Other Side of the Reflection (The working title of the new documentary film about the Drava River) The film is about an existance of another world, the world of the great river. Even though the river is right in the middle of the city, actually nobody even notices it. People just see the swans and the ducks, but they are not aware of the land on the other side of the reflection. As the river leaves the narrow valley between the hills of Pohorje and Kozjak and flows into the first slopes of Pannonian plains, it is surrounded by flood meadows. This is one of the most productive ecosystems in the area. It might be true that man could not touch the river, as the river lives in its own time measured only by itself. It flows infinitely, like time. For millenniums it flows and never stops and for millenniums it is a witness to everything that happens on its banks. People have always come to the river. Perhaps because all the events were reflected on the river’s surface.

The largest killing fields of defeated soldiers and civilians after World War Two

The idea is to create a film that would be continually projected on the Drava water curtain each weekend (new Stage on the Drava river), which would establish an additional reason to visit Maribor. The same permanent infrastructure will be needed for the spectacle based on the story by Zlata Vokač, i.e. the Lent sound stage, a large water curtain, projector, lasers and “geysers” as a part of new city veduta. The film could be incorporated in the opening show that would take place on the Drava river in the form of a multimedia project. The film programme includes other possible connections of literature with historic topics, such as film projects and spectacles: The Marpurgs, Under the Free Sun. DokMa Festival - Documentaries in Maribor The international programme of the festival consists of five categories: main programme, interregional programme, Slovenian special programme, great documentaries and parallels. The International festival of documentaries needs to be upgraded and marketed as a first-rate festival in this field in Slovenia. Documentary films will be important especially in the field of documenting the present world, its problems, current topics, various cultures and their mentalities. Our goal is to connect and bring together film artists from around the world in one city, Maribor, and expand the limits of our mentality through the world of the film.

The first serial production car in this part of Europe and the 5th in Europe (TAM)

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Audio-visual Production Maribor: National TV regional centre (Radio Maribor, Radio Slovenia International, Tele M), RTS, Maribor student radio – Marš, private regional radio (8) and TV (4) programmes. The goal is to establish an audio-visual art centre within the Slovenian National TV and activities in individual cultural chambers in the city. It is important to stress individual productions and transmissions, and to keep archives and develop regional TV programmes (Velenje-VTV, Murska Sobota, Novo mesto) as well as include the Toti video festival of amateur video production. Art TV - cultural/art and informative programme Via internet, it can be accessed from anywhere. Such a platform would be a great encouragement for the dormant art/cultural consciousness of the city and of the region, and for high quality collaborations within it. The idea is based on simple, effective and experimental production with no need for expensive live reporting or other typical TV schemes. The aim is to establish a highly aesthetic, high quality guerrilla television station. The programme of Art TV: animated, short and documentary film programme, in connection with Ljubljana's Animateka Festival, Izola's Kino-otok (IsolaCinema) Festival, Video collection of the Maribor Art Gallery, Nova Gorica's Pixxelpoint Festival, Maribor festivals (Magdalena, Computer festival, Izzven, DokMa, Days of curiosity festival, Kibla programmes) – calls for applications for already established, as well as not yet known artists in cooperation with different art institutions in Slovenia, live concerts (due to excellent studios in the station premises), information on cultural and art activities in the region, documentary programme, based on presentations of artists, a platform for discussions on topical questions of the area and its art system.

Nikola Tesla resided in Maribor between years 1878–79, aged 22 he worked as an assistant engineer. He was cheerful, played poker at the inn Pri Veselem kmetu and never finished his studies at the Vienna University, which later conferred an honorary doctorate on him. He lived on the Tegetthoffstrasse street in Maribor, now named Partizanska cesta. On 24th March 1879 the police accompanied him to his native Gospić as a homeless person.

The largest Slovenian preserved railway quarter from the 19th century in Maribor

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Intermedia Art and Virtualization If the development of the computer, which was at first as an algorithm and process machine, established the intermedia art as equal within contemporary arts, the abundance of all kinds of user interfaces established and asserted it as respectable even in traditional artistic institutions. Intermedia art today is increasingly present in the form of interdisciplinary expression, related to other forms of art and integrated in the total work of art as its equal and authentic constituent part. The technology has simply become the medium, no longer being the aim it remains one of the tools in the process of creation, and that is how it is being used, problematized and ignored.

Kibla’s Digital Commune I in the Cankarjev dom Culture and Congress Centre, Ljubljana, 2007

Apart from emancipating itself, intermedia art has thus ensured the revival of artistic creation as distinct from user experience. Through intermedia, the user has learned to perceive reality in a new way, their attitude towards the environment having been changed through the virtual experience. The analogue has been reaffirmed, upgraded by the principles and aesthetics of the digital, and has acquired a new importance. It has returned to its source code and confronted the traditional forms of fine arts with the creative principles of cybernetics and of computer processes. Art has been restructured as a new medium and defined as creative within the domain of intermedia arts. Thus it can be claimed that intermedia art is the foremost Avant-garde of present, as its merging of media results in establishing the dialogue between them as well as in requiring an equal relationship between individual media and their independent appearance through seeking new possibilities of expression within the analogue and the digital. Intermedia Art and Culture Multimedia centre network of Slovenia, particularly Maribor, Murska Sobota, Slovenj Gradec, Novo mesto, Ptuj, Ljutomer, Krško, Brežice, Prosenjakovci, Velenje, Celje, 2008–2012, funding: individual urban municipalities, the Ministry of culture of the Republic of Slovenia, EU programmes: Culture, E-contents and Media plus as well as sponsors and own contribution – Slovenian multimedia centres with their laboratories are the centres of creative industries. Multimedia Centres Network of Slovenia – M3C

son:DA: .enota739 in the Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2004

Cultural Information Backbone of Slovenia – a non-formal network of centres, connecting digital technologies based on the principles of open society and knowledge society with culture & art, creation, innovation, education and dissemination of information – was formed in the second half of the 1990s.

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The extent of the network as we know it today was established in years 2003–2004, with partial support of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Information Society. In 2004 a network of nine Slovenian multimedia centres obtained funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) by applying through the Ministry of Culture, since M3C activities comply with the strategy of the Unified Programme Document of the Republic of Slovenia for the programme period 2004–2006 and with the programme complement for the period 2004–2006. By 2008 the Multimedia Centres Network of Slovenia – M3C has gathered 19 centres from all regions of the country and still is attracting new members. It may be found online at www. m3c.si.

Julien Maire: DIGIT & Demi-pas, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2007

By long-term cooperation the partner centres wish to establish and further develop an infrastructural and information supportive environment in relation to information technology and digital culture. The aims of the partnership are: establishing contemporary technological infrastructure in all regions of Slovenia; encouraging the training and activation of human resources that are able to unite creativity, technology and management; establishing developmental infrastructure in order to stimulate the efficiency of creation and transfer of knowledge into products, services and processes; establishing efficient and multi-sectoral cooperation between multimedia centres in the network; developing ICT infrastructure which enables quick, broadband networks for research, education, culture and business environments; suitable infrastructure and spatial conditions of the centres; identification and networking of sub-points in all regions; further extension of the network through establishment of multimedia centres in all regions.

Julien Maire: DIGIT & Demi-pas, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2007

The Multimedia centre network (19) that exists in Slovenia is the largest network of the kind in Europe. Individual centres are operators of digital contents, with Eastern Slovenia hosting twelve such centres. Maribor hosts the largest Slovenian multimedia centre – Kibla. Kibla is the first presentation and production institution in Slovenia dealing with multimedia and intermedia art and a yearlong cultural programme. Kibla supports principles that lead to complex systems of multimedia presentation. Kibla has been in the process of intermedialization and digitalization of culture and art since 1996. Kibla intensively encourages experimental and specific projects in the intermedia field, introduces creative and practical use of sophisticated technologies in the cultural field whose final 133

Igor Štromajer and Brane Zorman: Ballettikka Internettikka, Internet ballet (2001-2011), Intima Virtual Base

(an at the same time utopian) goal is a functional support of working nets that digitalize, present and decentralize the cultural Slovenia and Europe. In this way Kibla understands the future and the 2012 ECOC project.

International festival of computer arts, Maribor Youth Cultural Centre, 2007

For example, the Prosenjakovci Art centre (a member of the Multimedia centre network) – Association for Culture, Art and Development is the first residential art centre in Slovenia. A multimedia centre operates within the Art centre, providing a creative atmosphere to visiting artists from Slovenia and abroad. It tries to stay open for new ideas in other areas and for the realization of interdisciplinary projects. Besides working with digital and information technology and artistic production, the Art Centre offers its capacities not only to young artists who use new technologies (digital video, electronic arts, communications...), but also to the local communities that are isolated because of the location itself (Goričko, Prekmurje). We believe that artistic practice performs innovative, creative research and questioning – not only of forms and shapes, in which case it would exist for its own sake, but of the stance towards the world and of changing this stance. Electronic Intermedia, Visual and Multimedia Art (Outdoors and in Galleries) The concept is based on the liberation and integration of traditional and electronic media, artistic non-/messages and artist’s ir/responsibility, art in relation to science and technology, new aesthetics and ecology of the mind. The concept is contemporary, multimedia and intermedia. KiBela – space for art will offer numerous visual and interdisciplinary art programmes supported by the EU. KiBela incorporates a spectrum of different ideas, methods and visions coexisting in art. The creativity of traditional media is important to enhance the electronic ones, but all in the context of historical continuity of visual art, in the sense of increased anesthetization and integration of electronic media and principles in art. High tech projects feature an interesting complex intertwining of reciprocally operating systems, for example sound and picture in a multimedia presentation for the public.

Ksenija Čerče: Sonic, Sinagoga Gallery Maribor, 2008

Digitalisation and virtualisation of cultural heritage is of vital importance for informing about and promoting the Slovenian cultural heritage, for integrating it in the European cultural heritage and for upgrading the educational system. Presentations will be organized for general public, using the most advanced information and communication technology. The aim is to make a multimedia CD that will be available to wider public. The contents and the production of the project will be headed by the multimedia centres in Eastern Cohesion region out of 16 that are integrated into the Slovenian Multimedia centre network. New constructions include the buildings that will host new centres: Maribor, Slovenj Gradec, Murska Sobota, Ptuj. Prolific Production of Digital Artistic Events The creativity of traditional media is of value for enriching

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electronic media, yet only in the context of historical continuity of visual arts, in the sense of higher aesthetisation and of integration of electronic media and artistic principles. High-technology projects are interesting for their complex intertwining of systems working in cooperation, such as the sound and image that are being presented to the public as multimedia. Digital Laboratories, Centres of Creative Industries Projects in intermedia arts will be performed by digital laboratories, acting as the hubs of creative industries in the newly emerged multimedia centres in Maribor (a culturebusiness-education complex in the railway triangle and in former prisons). Online information approaches: the Travel in Europe online environment will be accessible as a simple website, enabling the users to experience some European cities by themselves (selected cities for each country). The basic interface will be a map of Europe. The users will be able to travel through some European cities and move within the authentically reconstructed 3D environment. Incorporation of the Slovenian Eastern Cohesion into the European project: virtual overview of Eastern Cohesion cultural heritage; educational interactive animated films for permanent museum collections and exhibitions, such as the history of the Marpurgs, of the Slavs, of Maribor Germans, of Primorje immigrants and of socialism; virtual itinerary of Slovenian Eastern Cohesion (4000 years of history and the future). Local electronic cultural information boards: electronic history education boards situated across the cities and towns of Eastern Cohesion and on public locations – a historical map (historical routes and monuments), a map of contemporary spaces of art and culture, a tourist map, a sports map, a technology and communications virtual map. The information system would be offered to all the city inhabitants representing an electronic city catalogue with all the required information. The moving city project: virtual lines of national migrations, electronic ground plan of intersections. The names of all the documented and famous citizens, such as the names of partisans and communists inscribed on the Kojak monument. Determine the most important frequent spots in city-planning of Maribor and Eastern Cohesion. Educational approaches in the form of simple games/ quizzes about local heritage – through this constructivist pedagogical approach (through “learning by doing”, by testing the learner’s knowledge acquisition in actual experience, such as game, or exploration of the world), we intend to disseminate and promote the knowledge of cultural heritage. Our aim is also to attract people who are traditionally averse to pursuing cultural activities, but are fond of videogames, chats and messaging. The project intends to promote a variety of spheres: history, art, languages, geography (Europe and city maps as a constant reference in the user interface) and skills (the ability to

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extract meaningful and useful information from text and images – for the game, but also for culture –, the ability to interpret maps, the ability to accomplish cultural tasks, such as the interpretation of a picture). Electronic and light installations in the cities (illumination of cultural and panoramic spots in cities, etc.) and at local cultural spots, such as castles (e.g. Dornava, Žiče Manor in Maribor, Svečina near Maribor) and acoustic city installations: special, technologically adapted loudspeakers that produce sound only within a certain (limited) area. Outside this area the sound cannot be heard, as in the case of a reflector, the only difference being in the visibility of the light beam from afar, while in this case the sound can only be heard when the acoustic beam interferes with the ear. Hologram applications on city squares, featuring the portraits of Maribor's historical personalities. Laser/light octagonal pyramid on Maribor's Piramida hill – a base construction on top of which a laser is placed that outlines the shape of a pyramid (and/or some other shapes). Modelled Reconstruction of Piramida Castle (Maribor) A symbolic reconstruction of the oldest city castle at Piramida Hill in the original size, featuring a viewing platform, an event and exhibition space and catering facilities as well as a recreation park. The aim of the project is to use the attractive location to establish tourist and cultural infrastructure and an urban heritage park (a sculpture park along the entrance and in the exhibition space).

Youth Culture Youth cultural centres and other youth organizations are closely connected to youth culture. Besides programmes and projects that are executed within them, they also offer advisory, professional, organizational, financial and technical help to volunteer associations, autonomous youth groups and individuals. In this sense youth cultural centres have various functions: preventive, social, informative, educational, serviceable, developing and cultural in the broadest sense of the word. For many years a lot of youth cultural organizations whose common point are young people have been functioning in Maribor. The following have acquired the status of youth centre that is granted by The Slovenian Office for Youth: Maribor Youth Cultural Centre, Multimedia Centre Kibla, Osmica Youth Centre, Youth Cultural Centre, Pekarna Magdalenske Mreže Institution, IndiJanez Club Youth Centre and The Friends of Youth Association Maribor (House of Creativity – creative youth workshops with more than 900 workshops attracting more than 11,000 young participants, the workshops varying in space, organization, content, personnel and finances). Different spheres of cultural and artistic practices represent various contents of particular youth cultural representatives. It is important to be aware that certain artistic projects exceed the level of »urban youth culture« and belong into the sphere of broader local or even national cultural achievements. For 18 years the Maribor student radio – Marš has been broadcasting its programme. Within the radio, those participating and creating the radio programme were being educated and trained in media production. The programme is broadcast 24 hours a day, with a special emphasis on information programme as well as their own music and talk shows. Maribor is proud of the International Festival of Computer Arts, which is the first festival in Slovenian cultural and artistic environment in the field of new media and intermedia art and has been executed for the last 13 years by Maribor Youth Cultural Centre in collaboration with other partners. Maribor Youth Cultural Centre is also the organizer of Performa International Theatre Festival, No Border Jam punk festival, Summer in Maribor music festival and the manager of Media Nox gallery, 360* mobile exhibition space, and Cultural Incubator, the new centre for young culture researchers and creators. Kibla Multimedia centre, which is also a cultural space for contemporary art, cultural productions and researches, organizes various festivals like Days of Curiosity, Kiblix IT Open Code Festival, Izzven jazz festival, domestic and

international cultural projects and collaborations, etc. Za: misel bookstore and Kibela gallery also function within Kibla activities. Theatre activities are performed by the English Student Theatre (Druga gimnazija Maribor), the theatre school of the Prva gimnazija Maribor, festivals organized by Pekarna Magdalenske Mreže Institution such as Nagib Festival of experimental movement, Juggling Festival and Etnika music festival, etc. All these activities of urban youth culture in Maribor dictate a deliberation about wider perspectives of youth representatives. Youth centres and other youth organizations can play one of the most important roles at local, regional and national levels in the field of working with young people, in the field of cultural events in the city and in the field of developing cultural (youth) tourism. Maribor Research Studio (MARS) Keywords: natural sciences, experiments, amusement with technology, creative workshops, competitions, calls for applications, actions, experts. Activities: experimental sets (collection of experiments) with regard to the curriculum that can otherwise not be carried out in schools (due to financial, space or time difficulties); interesting interactive experiments, "try it yourself" experiments, guided experiments. The 'amusement with technology' activities would include creativity on the experiment subject, modelling, training the technical tools usage skills, using semi-finished products and remains of industrial materials, using natural materials. The artistic part of the activities would include working on technical products, using different creative techniques, arranging the exhibition area and the collections, stimulating young people for creative work in the field of technology and natural sciences. Activating all senses, fun learning (information, experiences and skills), high didactic value of the programme, creative thinking and work, ecological awareness, international collaboration, tourist attraction of Maribor. Days of Curiosity Days of Curiosity Festival – How To Become is a festival of fun learning, intended for elementary school pupils, as well as secondary school and university students – that is, everyone deciding about their professional path. With this festival, we wish to simplify the decision for higher education, faculty or profession, and at the same time stimulate young people through interesting and practical presentations of different professions to actively start searching for information that would simplify decisions about their future professions. The central part of the festival is composed of short (up to one

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hour long) interactive presentations in which guests describe their profession, interests, study years and their work in a relaxed conversation with the moderator. Kiblix IT Festival Since the year 2002, Kibla has been organizing the Kiblix IT International Open Code Festival. In the last few years we have also presented the Linux Install Fest â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LiFe in cooperation with the LUGOS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Linux User Group of Slovenia society. From the very beginning in 1996, Kibla has been

collaborating with LUGOS because of the apparent need for the exchange of knowledge and experience in the open code and open code solutions field, an exchange of vital importance in the world of informational technologies where new technologies and trends are encountered almost daily. The continual study of these trends has exposed three of the most important topics: open code and GNU/Linux operational system, Internet Security, mobile technology and telephony. These areas are approached with an emphasis on open codebased solutions.

Theo Botschuijver: Inflatable Structures, at the Glavni trg square in Maribor, 2004

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energy - mobility networks, new way Models of Networking Revitalisation of parts of old city centres with cultural, artistic, residential and other programmes (a complete renovation of the Maribor's Lent, Koroška street and Nasek Manor by the Castle square) with the purpose of the renovation and revival of the decaying infrastructure into a vital cultural and artistic part of the city, stimulation of cultural tourism, artistic and creative segment of Maribor population. The Puppet Theatre in the Minorite Church, European Orchestral Academy in Žiče Manor The project focuses on establishing a special educational institute (private institute) for specialized training of young musicians who have already finished their undergraduate studies or university education, enabling them to play in the most challenging European professional orchestras. A permanent symphonic orchestra will be a component part of the educational institution, its productions achieving the level of a professional orchestra. The ambition of the project is to rank among top European orchestras in quality. Koroška Street A living street museum within an urban environment, such as the Cultural Street – Koroška street in Maribor, represents the space of differences, openness, heteretopia, mobility, art, and heritage, in which a piece of art changes the present image of the street and the city through the architecture of music and through the reconstruction of a visual image from the past: it awakens life and creates communication and images of the “live” cultural pulse – it becomes the paradigm of preserving the heritage now and in the future. The Kult-ulica street museum on Koroška street in the Maribor old city centre would in its own unique way transform specific cultural meanings of individual objects from certain historical periods into practical, aesthetic, symbolical and metaphysical meanings, and provide them with the life of the modern time. To set up and operate the Kult-ulica street museum, an interdisciplinary work group is required, which would perform its tasks in close connection with the local community, the University of Maribor and appropriate cultural and tourist institutions. Revitalisation of the Kult-ulica represents added value in the sense of sustainable development of the city as well as of the wider region. The investments of Maribor urban municipality

and the Kult-ulica project public-private partnership shall cover the restoration of individual spaces, the execution of the Kult-ulica project according to project contents, and its integration into the socio-cultural environment. Projects: photographic museum featuring the Bohanec collection of photo cameras as well as club areas (National Liberation museum and Maribor Regional Museum), Street Museum Kult-ulica (Cult-Street) and artist in residence programmes (MKC Maribor), hotel lodgings and restaurants. The Kult-ulica street museum can be defined as a mediator between culture and tourism, and is expressed in diversity, uniqueness and new reality – it is thus a social, cultural, educational, socializing, public, urban space as well as an interesting cultural point and tourist destination of a contemporary city, the city of culture. Kult-ulica is a story about travelling and interaction of heritage spirit, having been reconstructed with a touch of art and culture of the present. Artist in Residence Programme Artist in residence is an internationally asserted model of residence programmes for artists. The residence programme hosting city appears on the worldwide map of cities that exercise the policy of culture and arts as prerequisites of any contemporary city. The programme has proved to be one of the necessary conditions for sustainable development of cities within the synergy of various levels of city structure operation. The artist in residence programme encourages collaboration of artists at international level – it brings foreign artists to the city and enables Slovenian artists to reside in other European cities. The basic premise is promoting the mobility of artists from various cultures and horizons within Europe, discovering talented young artists in local and international environment, supporting artists in their professional career at Slovenian and international levels and searching for new strategies to broaden the artist in residence programme within the EU and other countries. Artist in residence in Maribor means active cooperation of artists with the city and its urban structure and research of new forms of expressions in collaboration with other artists of various artistic directions.

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Revitalisation of Castles Eastern Slovenia prides itself in the majority of the most beautiful Slovenian mediaeval castles. The castles and mansions of Eastern Cohesion shall be combined into an integral tourist product, which will represent a new, quality and heterogeneous tourist offer and attract more domestic and foreign visitors to the castles. The tourist offer could be based on traditional programmes like spa resorts and wellness centres, art, historical, ethnological and natural science museum collections, as well as on more innovative programmes, such as international youth activity programmes, informal education in various areas, youth accommodation (youth hostels), local handicrafts and herbalism products on offer, the surrounding areas of castles and mansions could host learning trails with natural or historical contents and the like. The long-term plan is for revitalization of castles and mansions in the Eastern Cohesion area to bring revitalization to the economy, as numerous newly established spheres of activities would offer new jobs to the local population.

Carmina Slovenica – world champions in choir music

Wellness and residence centres should be united, as we believe in the connection between the artistic creation and tourism for demanding customers, which is also based on personal relationships between the host and the guest. Art gives content to tourism and competitive edge to such destinations (e.g. Svečina castle by Maribor). The integration would depend on spatial capabilities of the object, strategies of local communities and tourist development. It is possible to create uniform contents either for wellness centres or for residence centres, which in effect eliminates any complementary or interactive (mutual) effects of both activities. Such locations should also offer the basic technical infrastructure – audio systems, a video projector, a DVD player, etc., Internet access (LAN and wireless, WLAN), possibly some computers, although guests tend to bring their own laptops. On such premises a connection would be established between the primary natural environment and sophisticated high technologies, which are often indispensable to people.

10 multimedia centres, which are part of the Multimedia centre network (16), the biggest network of this kind in Europe; carriers of digital contents

Hotel Culture The hotel culture presents a new innovative programme area in the field of culture as well as economy and tourism. The function of culture (heritage and art) is not only to decorate spaces (as decor), rather it represents a strategic basis for the renovation and construction of hotel objects as cultural spaces. The hotel culture as a part of global and local cultures represents an opportunity for the progress of new development models in the field of heritage and art, in interactive and strategic integration with cultural tourism. The main programme guideline is to develop the philosophy and key notions of “hotel culture” to include cultural heritage in the appearance and development of hotels in the direction of comprehensive revitalisations and to include the art in

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Maribor – the only Slovenian winner of the European Urban award – 2000

Dornava

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the appearance and development of hotel programmes. The development of hotel cultural programmes and projects is performed as a transferable model based on partnerships between the guardians of cultural heritage, artists, designers, architects and tourist economy. Cultural heritage objects are being revitalised as centres for the development of the hotel culture included in artistic and heritage stories, thus representing a new type of hotels as promotional and production cultural centres (e.g. rearrangement of a health resort in the Antique Roman culture style, which will also affect new research and art programmes, linked with the Antique culture). Sport and Chess Two projects will be included in the ECOC 2012 programme: the Štukelj Marathon and chess. Based on rich tradition we have also included events related to sport, yet also to culture or cultural heritage, at the same time exceeding/surpassing the division between the East and West, eliminating borders and discovering common historical cultural, natural and folk features. The focus will be on intellectual and sustainable sports, taking place in natural environment. Štukelj Marathon, Walking and Cycling The renowned Olympian and winner of Olympic gold Leon Štukelj – also remembered for his appearance beside Bill Clinton at the Olympics in Atlanta – was born in Novo mesto on 12th November 1898, whereas he lived and worked in Maribor until almost 101 years old (he died on 8th November 1999).

Leon Štukelj (1898–1999) – world famous Olympian and the Slovene athlete with the highest number of Olympic medals: born in Novo mesto, lived and worked in Maribor

The Štukelj Marathon from Novo mesto to Maribor shall link both partner cities, preparing the common ECOC 2012 programme. The marathon is to last several days with intermediate stops at attractive spots of the Eastern Cohesion, where accompanying cultural programme will be executed. Competitors for the Štukelj Marathon will be invited from around the world, with the competition being open to anyone wishing to run the track or part of it. A cycling competition shall be organized alongside, for both professional and amateur bicyclists. Cycling from Novo mesto to Maribor can integrate other locations of the Eastern Cohesion to include individual stages under specific names. Chess Capital of New Europe The ECOC 2012 programme of cultural events will comprise chess, the reasoning for which is provided by Dr Milan Vidmar claiming for chess to be a mixture of game, science and art, a miniature of life, a miniature of the human world. Dr Milan Vidmar was a citizen of the world: the immortal Raul Capablanca said for himself to have been lucky as the Slovenian grandmaster took up science (later to become one of world authorities in the field of transformers) and for

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People a long time ran on two tracks, which prevented him to be a serious opponent for the World Champion title. A similar idea was expressed by the Russian player of noble origin and incredible chess combination ability Alexander Alekhine in the 1920’s. In past decades Maribor saw in its chess arenas two of the greatest chess artists – the French player of Russian origin Alexander Alekhine, probably the greatest player in the history of chess and definitely the greatest influence on the development of many greatest players of the last century (which was also admitted by Garry Kasparov), and the English player of Russian origin Vera Francevna Menchik-Stevenson, the World Champion in years 1927-1944, as well as many other renowned grandmasters from around the world.

Particular target groups within the European Capital of Culture project are considered at different levels: programme, communication, social, urban and others. Tasks multiplication and heterogeneity incurred as a result of the concept scope can be implemented only in a network project concept comprising a number of venues, locations, organisers and a systematic choice, selection and distribution of individual cultural actions, events and projects. Experience acquired through the organisation of the Lent Festival will be more than useful (400 to 500 events in two weeks time for approximately 500,000 visitors every year). In the planning of programmes and events, particular attention will be paid to:

The Večer daily newspaper provided Maribor with a strong medium of promoting chess, being the first in the world to publish certain historical games of chess as well as exclusive interviews with World Chess Champions. Maribor can also be found in CDs featuring games of the legendary Alexander Alekhine, being part of the chess anthology of World Chess Champions by Garry Kasparov (published by Edition Olms, Zurich).

- different groups of generations (children – animation programmes created by the Puppet Theatre Maribor and the Art Gallery Maribor, Pikin Festival (Pippi Longstockings) Velenje; the youth – networks of youth cultural centres, House of Creativity at the Friends of the Youth Association Maribor; the elderly – numerous cultural associations in cooperation with Homes for the Elderly and self-help programmes);

Maribor is the residence of the Slovene player of Ukrainian origin Alexander Beliavsky, who was a candidate for the World Chess Champion. In the legendary Kazinska Hall, Maribor witnessed one of the historic duels of ŽŠK Club Maribor, playing the finals of the Yugoslav Team Championships against the Belgrade Partizan with the supergrandmasters Svetozar Gligorič and Aleksandar Matanovič to score 10:10. The ŽŠK Club also won the Yugoslav Chess Cup, having in its team the former Youth World Champion Bruno Parma. Many players of ŽŠK Club Maribor from the golden days of chess in Maribor later became renowned academics or scientists (Črepinšek, Guzel and Musil, to mention just three of them). In the Kazinska Hall, there was no free seat when the Belgrade Partizan was playing, at the time one of the strongest European chess teams.

- groups with special needs (disabled persons, mentally disabled persons, groups of people with specific medical connotation);

All these reasons have consolidated our belief that Maribor should stand as candidate for the European Team Chess Championships, which is a very popular event. The competition for this exceptional event is extraordinary, the places are secured years in advance. By Aleksander Aco Pasternjak (1939–2008) The ECOC 2012 project would definitely provide a fresh impetus to chess in Maribor, as its inclusion in the ECOC programme forms the basis for the city of Maribor to become the Chess capital of new Europe.

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- socially marginalised groups (homeless people, refugees, prisoners); - national and ethnic groups and minorities (inclusion and support of cultural programmes proposed by cultural societies of Croatians, Serbs, Macedonians, Romani, German speaking population, Hungarian minority, Slovenian minority in Hungary). The European Capital of Culture should be based on a universal and integrated concept of high-quality and highly ethical cultural performances, which do not focus exclusively on a culture meant for the elite and on the institutional cultural production, but much more on the culture of living. Such understanding of the project entails special consideration for physically and psychologically handicapped persons, socially vulnerable groups, ethnic minorities, the youth and the nature (care for animals acquires a symbolic meaning through themes of culture of living). Cultural programme contents will be designed for different target groups: for children, young and old people. A significant number of youth programmes already exists in the entire Eastern Cohesion region, as there are numerous youth and multimedia centres organising different programmes and offering advisory, professional, organisational, financial and

technical help to volunteer associations, autonomous groups of young people and individuals. In this sense youth cultural centres assume various functions: preventive, associative, social, informative, educational, service, developmental and cultural; the latter in a broader sense of the word. Several cultural premises, centres and radio stations are intended for the young of different ages, in average between fifteen and thirty years. Children's programmes are staged in numerus cultural institutions. For other, not yet mentioned generations and social groups of people, a similar systematic approach will yet have to be established, probably originating from the already existing series of programmes. What follows is an attempt to show some characteristics of social environment which will have a certain influence on the concept of the ECOC programme scheme and content: Ethnic and National Communities Two traditional national minorities live in Slovenia: the Italian and Hungarian one. There is also a specific Romani ethnic community. All three communities are protected by the Constitution (Article 64 and 65 of the Slovenian Constitution). The ECOC project covers the area where the Hungarian minority and the Romani etchnic community live. The Hungarian national community: in the PomurjeHungarian Self-Governing National Community with its headquarters in Lendava. A nationally mixed area in Slovenia where autochthonous members of Hungarian national community live and where besides the Slovenian language the Hungarian is recognised as the official language, comprises the following municipalities: Hodoš, Moravske Toplice, Šalovci, Lendava and Dobrovnik. In the 2002 census, 6,243 persons declared themselves as members of the Hungarian National Community, although some estimations show as much as 8,328 members of this community. The Community is involved in the concept of the ECOC 2012 project within the framework of programmes of the partner Municipality of Murska Sobota and the wider region of Pomurje; in short, the Slovenian minority in Hungary is also involved. The Romani ethnic community: recently it has been confirmed that the social and economic situation as well as the position in the society of the Romani people in different regions in Slovenia are not at all the same. Important discrepancies can be noticed between the community in the Dolenjska region and the one in Prekmurje (even their dialects are not the same). In the 2002 census, 3,242 persons declared themselves as members of the Romani ethnic community, while unofficial data show about 8,000 or even 10,000 Romani mostly living in the region of Prekmurje and Dolenjska; followed by the regions of Posavje and Bela Krajina. Although not very traditional, some members of the Romani ethnic community live in cities of Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje, Jesenice and Velenje. Their situation is best taken care of in Murska Sobota and in other municipalities in the Prekmurje region. The majority of Romani people live in difficult social conditions, which is mostly due to

lack of education,poverty, and discrimination. The Romani Union of Slovenia takes care of the preservation of Romani language, cultural heritage and national identity. The Union groups numerous Romani cultural societies from the entire country, and will be actively involved in the creation of the programme for the ECOC 2012 project. In the past, only few local communities had an established plan of how to deal with the Romani people. In Prekmurje the first independent Romani village was created in the village of Pušča, and the first Romani quarter community in Europe. Today, the results of such actions are clearly seen in the way of life of the Romani in Prekmurje, in their level of education and economic development. In Maribor, there are two active Romani cultural organisations. In the frame of the project led by the Open Society Institute, the first Romani information centre was established in 2003 in Murska Sobota, called Romic, with an independent radio production. The Centre also houses all available literature about the Romani people. The involvment of the Romani and their culture in the ECOC 2012 project is also planned within the participation of the partner Municipality of Murska Sobota. Besides the officially recognised minorities and ethnic groups by the Constitution, there are numerous members of southSlavic and Balkan nationalities living in the area of ECOC. Maribor, Velenje, Novo mesto are cities of industrial growth, which attracted many people from rural areas and southern republics of former Yugoslavia to move to and integrate in the society. Many of them, as well as their descendants, have cherished their cultural origins and group themselves in various cultural societies. These are Croatians, Serbes, Macedonians, Albanians. Their rich cultural heritage, especially folklore and music, have already become a constituent part of various festivals, and will be integrated into the ECOC programme. Persons with Specific Needs The question of accessibility of cultural events within the framework of the ECOC project. The European Year of Disabled in 2003 stimulated Maribor to make the inventory of all public institutions and premises hosting public programmes, including the cultural infrastructure, in terms of their accessibility for persons with diminished capacity of movement. Premises with certain deficiencies were marked, while more important obstacles are systematically removed during renovation works. The programmes planned will have to pay special attention to planning the accessibility and marking ways, which is in particular true of programmes intended for persons with communication deficiencies (blind and weak-sighted, persons with hearing impairment). The partner cities will have to become »friendly« to all sorts of disabled persons, for they will be among visitors of cultural performances and accompanying events. Therefore the ECOC project offers at the same time a unique opportunity to thoroughly check and remove, if needed, all obstacles for disabled people in public buildings and public utilities (pavement standards,

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pedestrian road crossings, sound-equipped traffic lights, cash distributors, public transport, taxi drivers should even have special training in order to be able to help the disabled). Special attention will be paid to the equipment in exhibition halls: audio-guides, Braille alphabet, specialised guides. Persons with Mental Disabilities The one-year project comprising various activities throughout the year with a possibility of upgrading and continuation should be set by the year 2012 for persons with mental disabilities. The project has the following objectives: - integrating persons with mental disabilities in activities planned for ECOC 2012; - stimulating socialising and friendly contacts among persons with mental disabilities (www.zveza-sozitje.si); - establishing new socialising standards for persons with mental disabilities;

Barbara NovakoviÄ?: Rodin II, SNG Maribor, 2008

- stimulating creativity of persons with mental disabilities; - preserving and upgrading the knowledge and skills of persons with mental disabilities. Persons with Difficulties in Mental Health Social crises resulting from the transformation of the industrial society into a post-industrial one (increased unemployment) caused in the ECOC region an increased number of difficulties in people's mental health. Integration of such persons into a social environment and the correlated creation of necessary structural and social conditions is therefore required and sensible. It will feature suitable cultural programmes which should be geared towards creative integration (also therapeutic) of persons experiencing difficulties in their mental health. The integration into cultural events, actions, workshops etc., will create or rather reinforce a social network from which a longterm social inclusion of these persons will result. The Elderly A one-year programme is planned to arouse the interest of the older population in cultural activities within the ECOC framework. All events and performances will be free of charge for this target group, and even developed further into special creative workshops organised by volunteers within the project ÂťFruits of our SocietyÂŤ run by the Slovenian Philantropy, several societies for self-help and in cooperation with Homes for the Elderly and other specialised organisations. Homeless People Problems of homeless people are dealt with in different ways by partner cities. In Maribor, these people have a shelter to spend the night, food and basic medical care are provided. The 2012 accompanying programme will provide workshops and round tables addressing the problem of homelessness, correlated situations and phenomena, with the participation

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Homeless People

of national and foreign experts and social workers. Cultural creative workshops for the homeless will strive to reinstitute their social skills. Children Programme The aim is to bring culture and contemporary art closer to local communities and with the help of fine arts bring to life the world of fairytales on various locations – through four types of fine arts, mainly the 20th century art. In school curriculum there is never enough time to cover this art period. Motives will be taken from familiar fairytales and interpreted in various types of fine arts and their characteristics. The participants will be informed of important artists of the period and the motive will be presented in various media. Mediaterra, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2001

With the help of fine arts we wish to bring to life the world of fairytales in the municipal park – introduce it to children, young people and parents. This includes activating the local community and presenting art and cultural education in natural environment of parks and other green areas. Visitors will be stimulated to become interested in cultural, literary and fine arts education. The programme includes people of all generations so they can complement each other. It will be required to present fairytale literature and its connection with fine arts in the second half of 20th century. The focus of attention will be its development, aims, and fine arts issues in connection with the educational system and personal influence on people. Our goal is to create a more attractive study environment with the help of informal education and stimulation of acquiring new knowledge. Youth Culture

Rogač, Multimedia party for children, Kibla, 2008

Every complex society experiences an inner differentiation, which causes the creation of a dominant culture along which exist opposed and parallel cultures belonging to specific social (generation) groups. One cannot speak of one type of culture but of several; different types of culture do not only exist at different locations, but also within one single location. Cultural groups performing informal culture, and considered from the established cultural point of view as marginal cultural creativity of civil social groups and individuals, founded in the 1990s of the past century their own cultural zone called Pekarna (the “Bakery”) located in the disused military barracks that groups of young people occupied on their own initiative. Certain elements of this self-made cultural creativity reached a high level of quality (international festivals, exchanges, highly visible cultural events), while proposed programmes normally qualify for financial support from public calls announced by the city and the state. Activities until 2012 foresee the creation of multipurpose premises for production and performances, as well as a youth hostel. The best projects and programmes by the Pekarna cultural zone will become the constituent part of the ECOC concept.

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evolution â&#x20AC;&#x201C; new services established, from underdeveloped to developed region(s)

147 UroĹĄ Lehner: painted Intes granaries, 2007

Organisation The Municipality of Maribor and its partner cities will establish an institution with its own legal subjectivity that will prepare and ensure the implementation of the European Capital of Culture. After the nomination is confirmed, public calls will be announced for the leading positions of this institution, some of them on international scale. A precise organisational model will be made for network coverage of the whole territory and artistic fields. The institution will prepare and propose a programme scheme with a finance plan that will be submitted to coestablishing and supporting entities (partner cities, the state, the EU) for assent. Upon having obtained the consent, the institution will have the autonomy to design, organize and implement the Eropean Capital of Culture programme, while coordination with partner cities will only be necessary for the programmes interfering with regular operation of public authorities within the affected areas as well as for public utility and logistics. Supporters will monitor the efficiency

Base 20 in KoÄ?evski Rog, the dwelling of the political leadership of the Slovenian Liberation Front from April 1943 till December 1944. It is the only headquarters of resistance movement in Europe that is built in such covert way and still well preserved. Important monument of Slovene independence.

and destination of the use of funds. Apart from using public funds, the institution itself will create revenue on the market for the benefit of cultural programmes by attracting sponsors, selling the brand, marketing cultural goods etc. The institution will be able to enter business relationships through private assets. It will also be able to establish subsidiary organisations for specific business purposes or cultural sub-projects. Investments into cultural infrastructure and into cultural heritage renovation will be managed by partner cities individually within their own administrative boards and authorized organizations.

There are around 500â&#x20AC;&#x201C;700 bears in the southern Slovenian woods

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A model of possible organisation structure for the Maribor ECOC 2012, based on the required functions:

Executive Management

Programme Board

The executive team will consist of: programme management, finance management and general management. Executive management will appoint leaders â&#x20AC;&#x201C; directors of specific sectors with expert-technical operative teams.

The Programme Board comprises top autonomous experts for specific fields of culture, the members being appointed by the founders and the Ministry of Culture. The role of the Programme Board is to approve the programme and monitor its implementation.

Programme Committee

For all leading positions a selection will be organised, based on public calls, which is also true for the international ones for the most important positions.

The body within which programmes are coordinated operatively with regard to their contents, dates, locations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; comprising programme heads of individual areas as well as representatives of territorial organization units i.e. local organizers. Supervisory Board A Supervisory board will be appointed to monitor the use of funds. Its members will be chosen by partner cities and the state from renowned experts in the field of cultural economics and financial supervision.

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The type of organisation structure and distribution of functions within the network will depend on the available resources and organisation abilities of individual areas/evironments.

Financial Frame Total expenditure of the project includes operational expenses of cultural programmes, cultural management and marketing (operational expenses), the expenses of investments into cultural infrastructure and cultural heritage. Related investments into tourist and transport infrastructure are also included as eligible. Investments into transport and other infrastructure (especially tourist facilities etc.) are not a constituent part of the project. Such investments are in indirect connection with the European Capital of Culture project as they improve the quality of general infrastructure also for the benefit of cultural programmes and project implementation, yet they will profit from benefits and positive development effects of cultural projects (especially tourist infrastructure and the activities based on it), therefore both types of investments are considered by partner municipalities within wider development concepts. As shown in financial charts, the investments expected are defined by phases and by individual regional centres. Programme contents are concentrated in years 2011 and 2012 (in accordance with sustainable orientation), while the costs of organisation and marketing are planned from 2008 onwards. Financial Resources Major financial resources include the budgets of Maribor and partner cities as well as the state. An important point to consider are European Structural Funds, the support from which will be gained for programmes and investments upon successful candidature, whereas programmes can also be founded through various national and EU tenders. Financial resources do not have the binding force (apart from partner city budgets), but are based on expectations within various development documents, predictions and comparisons with similar projects executed elsewhere. Within candidature preparation (for the public tender in the Republic of Slovenia), the programme concept featuring indicative expenditure and financial overviews was presented to city councils of all the partner cities, which then deliberated and adopted the programme (their part). Operational Expenses

One of the biggest sites of Hallstatt culture in Europe

Within the current phase of programme preparation, operational expenses of project implementation have been estimated to 57 million â&#x201A;Ź, with the amount defined comprising programme preparation and implementation (in most partner cities these are additional public funds for cultural production on top of the normal amount of funds for regular operation of cultural institutions). The funds are intended for gradual increase of cultural production as regards the programme and its quality, as well as cultural management and cultural marketing, which would ensure for

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the majority of planned programmes to be kept as regular cultural production after 2012 with the help of increased cultural needs and expansion of cultural goods market. The estimated financial resources for operational expenses predict that the major part of resources for operational expenses (40.88%) should be provided within budgets of Maribor and the partner cities, while the expected national funds represent an equally important part (37.88%) and revenues from marketing are also considerable (approx. 10%). Within the current phase of preparations the resources for about 6.9% of expenses predicted have not been specified â&#x20AC;&#x201C; individual (successful) candidatures of cultural projects at national and European public calls for funding are expected to provide at least that much. The risks of possible lower funds than expected within the presented financial resources can be compensated to a certain amount through regular budget funds for culture, as the expected operational expenses do not exceed them apart from years 2011 and 2012. Infrastructure Investments that are defined specifically and make a constituent part of financial plans within the preparations of the European Capital of Culture project are investments into public cultural infrastructure and into renovation of cultural heritage. Alongside the investments into public property within project preparation we have investigated a wider interest (and planned projects) for investments into cultural and tourism infrastructure within the private sector (institutions within the Roman-catholic Church, private hotels, business associations, companies etc.), where numerous investments are planned; they are partly independent of the European Capital of Culture project, but some private investors in tourist facilities will be motivated for investment by a successful preparation and implementation of this European cultural project. Certain investments into cultural infrastructure refer to multipurpose objects that will serve other public interests as well as enable the development of business activities (accompanying activities, cultural tourism), thus allowing for integration of private funds. The accuracy of the predicted amount of planned investments into public cultural infrastructure and cultural heritage shall depend on the current willingness within individual investment projects that are in various phases â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from the projects being constructed to those that have only had the concept made. Therefore future procedures of investment preparations shall see changes in joint data on the actual scope of investment funds, planned dynamics of investments and expenses as well as the structure of financial resources.

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The majority of investments into cultural infrastructure and renovation of cultural heritage is planned within Municipality of Maribor. Some of them are already running, some are ready for initiation and some are being prepared. For some of the planned investments the city has not yet provided the funds necessary as the financial constructions of these investments also depend on acquiring public funds from the state and European structural funds (especially the European Regional Development Fund).

Table: Overview of total expenditure within the European Capital of Culture project by partner cities Municipality Maribor

Operational expenses

Investments

No. of investments

28,095,000

79,967,169

Murska Sobota

4,030,000

4,796,899

Novo mesto

4,810,000

4,486,752

Ptuj

7,410,000

32,600,000

Slovenj Gradec

6,640,000

4,249,000

Velenje

6,438,000

16,908,742

57,423,000

143,008,562

Table: Total expenditure (operational expenses and investments into cultural infrastructure) by years Operational expenses

Investments

2008

1,223,000

22,270,547

2009

2,490,000

29,973,205

2010

4,810,000

51,076,252

2011

13,600,000

33,344,569

2012

35,300,000

6,343,988

57,423,000

143,008,562

Table: Overview of expected shares of financial resources within operational expenses Financial resources

Operational expenses

Municipal budgets

23,473,000

State and structural funds

22,000,000

Own revenue

6,250,000

EU directly

1,500,000

National, EU tenders, other

4,200,000 57,423,000

Table: Operational expenses

Programme

Organisation and operative costs

Marketing and promotion

Other

2008

423,000

450,000

175,000

2009

690,000

800,000

500,000

2010

1,430,000

1,400,000

780,000

1,200,000

2011

6,000,000

4,000,000

1,900,000

1,700,000

2012

16,100,000

8,600,000

4,550,000

6,050,000

24,643,000

15,250,000

7,905,000

9,625,000

44.00%

42.91%

26.56%

13.77%

Total of operational expenses 2008-2012: 57,423,000 â&#x201A;Ź

Table: Investments - summary Investments into cultural infrastructure

Investments into transport and tourism infrastructure

Other investments

Total

2008

22,270,547

13,632,967

29,328,138

65,231,652

2009

29,973,205

13,186,969

28,784,659

71,944,833

2010

51,076,252

13,078,312

28,734,583

92,889,148

2011

33,344,569

6,345,000

28,701,200

68,390,769

2012

6,343,988

120,000

151,200

6,615,188

143,008,562

46,363,248

115,699,780

305,071,590

47%

15%

38%

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Marketing Activities The European Capital of Culture corporate identity and its successful positioning are of major importance for the ECOC marketing to achieve financial success. There is little possibility for large corporations such as Vodafone, Nokia, Gorenje, and Coca Cola to integrate their logo into something that is not known nor understood within the society. Only six cities – Capitals of Culture – have so far implemented business partnerships in the form of sponsorship by global corporations. The concept of addressing potential national and global corporations and companies includes options of cooperation not based only on financial support, but also on cooperation within various types of partnerships in the field of promotion as well as artistic production. To acquire the highest share possible of sponsorship funds as well as partnerships in media coverage and artistic production, dialogue will be established with potential sponsors during the initial phase of programme creation and not only when the programme is made.

The most visited summer festival in Slovenia – Lent in Maribor (500,000 visitors)

Conducting all marketing activities will be executed from one centre – department for communication, promotion and marketing of ECOC 2012. Such a system is of great importance for avoiding non-transparent sponsorship funds (negative experience shows that decentralised operation often led to non-transparent use of funding for activities of individual organizations, not being part of ECOC). Planning and implementation of marketing activities are based on the following findings: frequency and visibility of sponsors must correspond to the highest business standards in the field of branding. Sponsorship options also have to be defined and evaluated precisely. Small regional companies require a specific approach, as they normally cannot provide such sponsorship shares as large corporations, yet they are highly interested in promoting themselves within the ECOC 2012 in their markets both within the country and the EU. The basic factors for success in sponsorship are an efficient communication plan, top cultural production at world level, global distribution of information and a strong corporate identity. We will also try to impact those responsible within state authorities to use the instruments available for motivating equity holders to invest in the project of such importance as the European Capital of Culture 2012. Priority activities within business planning for sponsorships in the period 2008–2012 include comprising a sponsorship strategy, preparing a handbook and annual sponsorship plans, analysing and forming sponsorship possibilities, counselling for specific projects, monitoring sponsor campaigns and evaluating what has been achieved.

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The oldest (since 1953) and largest Aquarium-terrarium in Slovenia operates in Maribor

Communication Strategy Activities within public-private partnerships in the period 2008â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2012: enabling contributions of private partners to public infrastructure (cultural, transport, other); establishing market institutions in cooperation with investors, coming from the economy, creating studies on economic effects of culture on the complete region, enabling the operation of profit cultural centres in cooperation with the economy, training staff in cultural management and cultural tourism management, executing the promotion of cultural management in economic sector, motivating entrepreneurial development of creative industries, increasing competitiveness, creating an efficient model of cultural tourism organisation at all levels from local and national to European, and ensuring marketing services and products that are integrated into culture, promoting the organization of cultural industry, interactive system of networking and forming the marketing of integral services and products related to the ECOC 2012 project in cooperation with economic entities, motivating public-private partnerships within the development of accompanying offer (e.g. in cultural centres), promoting the development of networking among providers of cultural events, services and products in cooperation with public-private partnerships. We expect the revenue from marketing activities to achieve a 10 to 15 % share of total revenue for the ECOC operational expenditure. For investments into public cultural infrastructure, a model of possible public-private partnerships will be sought both in the phase of construction as in the phase of infrastructure operation.

Local Communication and Promotion An efficient start of the project requires thorough and up-to-date communication with the local public. An appropriate communication plan shall comprise local media (newspapers, TV and radio stations), web pages and other types of communication. Such communication has been running since candidature preparation, its intention being not only a positive acceptance of the ECOC project in local environments, but also motivating passive and active participation in cultural creativity and improving cultural values and general standards of quality living. Global Communication and Promotion The complete set of promotional activities and processes will be based on communication and promotion of ECOC 2012 at Pan-European and global levels already in the initial phase (most of the ECOC organisers to date have focused their marketing activities at local and regional levels, leaving communication activities to local tourist agencies and local/ municipal departments, which has not proved effective). Marketing and Promotional Activities Creating corporate identity for the project, local communication and promotion (establishing the awareness of project importance), global communication and promotion, implementing comprehensive corporative promotion of ECOC 2012 to improve the identifiability of the region and of Slovenia as a whole within European and World cultural and tourist markets, implementing programmes of market communication at European level by using the latest instruments of market communication, adapted to local and interest networks of cultural subjects, continual development of information system using the latest knowledge in information technology, ensuring the integration of ECOC

Geographically, Eastern Slovenia represents the centre of Central Europe. Its first enclosing circle comprises the neighbouring countries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Austria, Hungary and Croatia. The second circle is marked by equal distance to five capitals and great cultural centres: Ljubljana, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Zagreb. The third circle includes Italy and the Adriatic, southern Germany, the Czech Republic and Western Balkans. Maribor finds itself at the crossroads of Central European paths, with all partner cities having good railway and road connections and Maribor also featuring an airport. There is a small distance to airports in Ljubljana, Zagreb, Graz, Klagenfurt and Trieste, whereas Vienna, Budapest and Venice are also within easy reach.

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2012 in the national information system, developing thematic promotional products and services, building a system of local as well as European partners for promotion and distribution, product as the central promotional element of ECOC 2012, activity in the area of strategic communication and public relations, purchase of media space in Slovenia and the EU, business cooperation in sponsorships, donations and patronage, monitoring the effects of promotion and marketing. The European Capital of Culture 2012 concept is based on project decentralisation within the Eastern Slovenian region, focusing on improved and updated cultural infrastructure as well as on thorough adaptation of cultural and natural heritage, all targeting at an infrastructural platform for the latest artistic practices. The promotional concept includes a plan to create a thorough digital interactive archive of cultural and natural heritage of Eastern Slovenia (possibly for the whole Slovenia), which will be one of the major products within the ECOC project and as such, an important promotional agent for Slovenian culture. Digital, Cultural, Fashionable The selection of products that will be included in market offer and project promotion will be based on their market appeal, wide availability and expression of attributes such as the identity of Slovenian and European culture, contemporariness, symbolic values, artistic expression. The products must be selected and planned alongside carefully defined plans for the distribution and selling with defined target groups (expert public, wider interested public or occasional tourists...). The main product as the central promotion element should be an interactive DVD with related technical equipment (cyber goggles), containing the virtual presentation of the complete cultural heritage of Slovenia. The central range of prestige products should include a series of accompanying products of a high range (specially designed and project defined products with a promotional â&#x20AC;&#x201C; corporative message), a selection of products, representing the rich Slovenian cultural and natural heritage (Kurent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a traditional carnival figure, cookbooks with Slovenian recipes in all European languages, wooden ware, the olm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Proteus). Such products are of specific importance for individual cultural spots across Slovenia, therefore the selection must be subjected to the rigid professional judgment. To observe the whole Slovenian cultural environment and Europe, a range of basic promotional items (T-shirts, caps, bags, umbrellas...) and finally a clothing brand within ECOC can serve as an

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extraordinary promotional element as fashion trends (for specific seasons must be presented at least one year in advance). Such campaigns also open up new dimensions of cultural marketing in connection with worldwide trends. Preparation and implementation of activities in the ECOC 2012 project will be performed by top experts from fields of integral communications, marketing, promotion and public relations as well as young and innovative creators from the field of market communications. European Capitals of Culture to date featured from one to fourty employees in departments for the activities specified, which was reflected in their success of public communication and marketing. The structure of the group that represents the base for communication, marketing and promotion of ECOC must pay regard to a high level of knowledge of various segments of cultural activities as well as knowledge of market mechanisms and principles. Promotional function: implementation of comprehensive corporative promotion of ECOC 2012 with the intention of improving the identifiability of the region and of Slovenia on European and world tourist market, implementation of market communication programmes at a European level by using the latest market communication tools in coordination with the local regional interest networks and with interest networks of cultural subjects. Distributional function: continual development of an information system with regard to the latest knowledge in information technology, development and use of information systems, intended for communicating culture at business, national and European levels; as well as ensuring the integration into the national information system at national level, establishment and development of the central information system (and integration of the existing information network at the European level), which will ensure the integration of cultural offer into global systems of tourist industry. Development function: development of thematic promotional products and services, promotion of research activities in the field of cultural activities and guarantee for the transfer of knowledge into cultural industry through the established information system to support cultural subjects when making decisions at any level. Operational function: operationalisation of integrating cultural subjects in the local regional and inter-regional environment, ensuring quality implementation of programmes and projects within European Capital of Culture 2012.

Identity One of the main tasks of marketing is to redesign and develop a positive identity of the Municipality of Maribor and the wider Eastern Slovenian region and to perform some other tasks that are not directly connected to addressing potential visitors. The identity desired can only be achieved as the eventual result and synergetic effect of various quality components that will only be formed when the event visitor (artist, visitor, sponsor) is leaving the cultural/tourist scene. The communication and promotion system as well as the marketing process must be based on constructing the system of local, European and global partnerships in fields of promotion and distribution. The construction of the global promotion system is of strategic importance from two aspects: it represents the base for direct negotiation with potential sponsors of ECOC 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; primarily with global corporations, and it represents an additional platform for addressing potential guests of ECOC 2012 coming from all continents, who have already decided/are considering to travel to Europe in 2012. Systematic and strategic activity in the field of marketing thus requires a systematic establishment and regular updating of overviews of institutions, organizations and companies that are interesting for and potentially interested in marketing, which must be done on the spiral principle: local level â&#x20AC;&#x201C; European level â&#x20AC;&#x201C; global level, as well as overviews of central European and worldwide cultural events (chosen with regard to programme categories of ECOC 2012 both within ECOC programmes as well as within worldwide events of equal importance, such as the Frankfurt Bookfair, Venice Biennale, festivals, conferences, expert symposia etc.). An equally important base for marketing activities is to provide an overview of relevant media (press and television) and to ensure accurate monitoring of the ECOC 2012 media presence (which was actually not a typical practice of ECOC cities to date). Analysing the frequency and quality of media presence has an impact on business interest in advertising and sponsoring. The ECOC marketing shall use the marketing system and co-promotion to build wider business partnerships in fields of tourism, air transport, hotel chains, tourist agencies, etc. It is also necessary to define measurable categories and a monitoring system for this segment, which would enable to define the number of foreign tourist arriving to Maribor and Eastern Slovenia because of ECOC 2012 and to make a relevant estimation of the impact of the ECOC 2012 market share on economy and specifically on the sectors of tourism, transport, hotel industry and catering. It is of special importance to integrate within the project institutions and companies related to Slovenians abroad (in Italy, Austria, Hungary, the USA, Australia,

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Argentina etc.). The plan must specify the integration and involvement of such organizations (and individuals) in the ECOC 2012 project. Planning communication processes will cover the complete range of appropriate media types with an emphasis on new media (the Internet, SMS, MMS), as well as modes of presence (e.g. media space purchase, PR and lobbying among journalists relevant for ECOC 2012, ensuring additional materials for media). Corporate Identity The proposal that was made within the candidature of the Municipality of Maribor and the partner cities visualises culture as the clean energy and the generator of the development of Eastern Slovenia in various types of integrations (graphic symbols of engineering and energy elements, molecule structures, flowers...). Parameters that were considered when creating and selecting the identity were: local, national and European cultural development documents predict a considerable increase in social and economic effects of cultural production; European analyses of cultural industry in coordination with creative industries show a great increase in the role of the two; Eastern Slovenia is the main supplier of electricity in Slovenia; Eastern Slovenia gains almost one third of revenues in spa tourism; industrial environment in transformation; sustainable development; a recognisable typification of partner cities as a whole. Media and Internet Ever since the Internet has become the most important global media, ECOC projects in the period from 2000 to date have not been able to use all the opportunities of the World Wide Web as the information hub. The ECOC 2000 to 2005 webpages are sites, conceptualized as collection of data that is of key importance for the user. The main media used so far for communication and promotion of ECOC were the press and television. With regard to actual data, we consider the creation of an efficient website of utmost importance. The ECOC 2012 website is being developed as a strategically planned information portal that provides visitors with an abundance of information, should they be interested. The basic function of the ECOC 2012 portal is a constant and reliable web address and communication space that is intended both for potential visitors as well as potential financial contributors to the project. The concept must also include the “world in microcosm” as regards the programme of ECOC 2012 and its contents, which are of key importance for the wealth of such a web portal. The contents and the technical platform of the website must

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satisfy information requirements of highly interested target groups (potential visitors, expert public, journalists, critics); and satisfy sponsors and other business partners in terms of promotion. ECOC 2012 must provide an attractive website for a wide audience, allowing the user to obtain new information in a simple way, to learn effectively about the programme, contents and the schedule of events and individual projects, to subscribe to “delivery” of information to a personal email address, to book and purchase tickets, to purchase or order attractive products in a special virtual store, and for the user as a tourist in Europe, the browser system must satisfy the needs for information on cultural programmes in neighbouring countries and information on “partner” events and projects around Europe. The website demands a specific plan of integration within the World Wide Web, therefore the concept includes creating accompanying web applications that will lead internet users and visitors of information portals, relevant to European Capital of Culture 2012, to the website www.maribor2012.si and www.si2912.si. Evaluation and Monitoring of the Event Measuring and simultaneous monitoring of European Capital of Culture 2012 effects is a complex process that must be established due to high jointly contributed amounts and high expectations towards the ECOC project. The priority is to make measuring models that will be used for establishing trends and the scope of added value by simultaneous monitoring, the focus being on immediate financial and other quantity effects, yet primarily on quality criteria for measuring social and economic impacts on the local development (e.g. impacts of the project on creating new employment opportunities and on employment dynamics within the cultural sector and service industry, tourism, catering). A survey of some data, provided by the Tourist Association Maribor, the Slovenian Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development, Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, SPEM Communication Group and The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia – Maribor Regional Chamber, provides an insight into growth trends of tourism industry in Maribor and close surroundings. For this area there has been no comprehensive study so far, enabling a detailed overview of economic effects within cultural sector, yet some data indicates the state of enquiry in the field of culture: it is evident that arrivals and overnight stays of domestic and foreign tourists to Maribor are in increase, which corresponds to the typical development trend.

Evolution - New Specific and inovative aspects are the integrated approach; the ICT used in the project not only as a gear and technique, but also as a test of new modelling of spirit in the 21st century; the development of a network organisation into polycentric, inter-regional, international and Pan-European integration of partners, producers and users of cultural goods; democratic and participation-based orientation which includes all interested creators, organisations, local communities from the first stage of preparations onwards to the upgrade of their continual participation; the Capital of Culture in Movement through numerous venues, locations in the real and virtual world are the innovative and specific aspects of the candidature Maribor European Capital of Culture 2012. The innovative relation between the economy and culturalartistic expression will be achieved through a mutual transfer of creative processes and energies (creation of a market product, services as artistic creation, and inversed artistic production as the paradigm of innovative production). Tangible features will be pictured and tangible boundaries surpassed with technical de-materialisation: a real virtual region will be created and open to everyone, to alive creators as well as those immortalised in cultural heritage. Multi-disciplinary support comes from Slovenian cultural, scientific and educational networks, such as the Network of Multimedia Centres (M3C), which can assume the task of regional synergetic points at various levels: linking culture, education and the economy, virtual networking with the help of advanced ICT, and tangible project-based connections with science, various institutions and universities in Slovenia.

BorĹĄtnikovo sreÄ?anje (the BorĹĄtnik meeting), the biggest Slovenian theatre festival

The potentially wider use of certain results and solutions as well as their commercial value are taken into account. As a result, value is added to those cultural and artistic projects that are created together with science. It is our strong belief that such an artistic project can, with some modifications, become an attractive commercial product. The same is true for tourist souvenirs. From the modern reality and media point of view, there are two principles of functioning, transmission, promotion, presentation and distribution: the tangible or rather palpable, physical, real, and the intangible or rather virtual, cybernetic, informative. The virtual cultural capital will be based on the convergent platform and cross-media, and will take into account mobile and line standards. The objective is to reach a high level of e-inclusion. The cooperation among educational, cultural and research domains is being developed at different levels. The digital culture in economy, transport and environment should be taken for granted. The digital gap between the urban and rural environment, and between different groups of 158

people should be bridged with the general accessibility to information-communication technologies (ICT) and with providing the training of their multiple uses. The European society should not allow the machine producers to dictate the commercially oriented development, therefore it is necessary to stimulate authors and programmes based on the open code, as this seems to be the only European potential advantage in programming. The broadband Internet free-of-charge for public institutions (cultural centres, museums, galleries, premises of the “non-institutional” culture, schools, hospitals, homes for the elderly, and others). A wireless broadband network to access the World Wide Web (Wi-Fi Hot City). In a chosen city or cities wireless Internet access will be installed free-of-charge. The digital society – establishment of networks, Internet platforms, digital literacy and creation of digital contents, mobile unities, digital radio and TV programme.

Laibach: Instrumentality of the state machine, 2004

All these proposals are in accordance with the European Information Society Development Agenda i2010 and the Slovenian Agenda si2010. The proposals are included in the Cultural Programme of the Municipality of Maribor 2007–2011. Premises in connection with CULTURE–ENERGY–ECOLOGY can also be marked innovative, as the energy used for realisation of cultural projects will be used in a balanced nature-friendly way. The cultural development, or even cultural evolution, culture as pure energy will help develop the eastern region of Slovenia from a less developed into a well-developed innovative area. An open and empty space will be used and linked into a network of activities based on culture. Various locations, immovable cultural heritage, industrial heritage will all be completed with cultural and artistic, educational and scientific and service-providing contents. Development possibilities linking non-profitable activities to profitable ones, which will be based on the public-private partnership model thus connecting the ancient and historical to the new and contemporary, will be privileged in order to outline the future of eastern and southern regions of Slovenia. The planned investments in infrastructure comprise renovation and adaptation of objects belonging to cultural heritage, and construction of new buildings, even though they do represent a possible danger of over-sizing in order to match their architectural design. Therefore, sustainable development of the entire region will be considered, and new buildings will be constructed only for well-determined purposes. The concept foresees the establishment of cultural institutions network structure even before 2012 in order to continue its creative mission before and during 2012.

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Dragan Živadinov

CerkniĹĄko jezero 160

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Appendix

Partner Cities ECOC 2012: Municipality of Maribor Municipality of Murska Sobota Municipality of Novo mesto Municipality of Ptuj Municipality of Slovenj Gradec Municipality of Velenje

Other partner communities and twin cities: Maribor: Greenwich, Great Britain Marburg / Lahn, Germany Kraljevo, Serbia Udine, Italy Szombathely, Hungary Graz, Austria Pétange, Luxemburg Osijek, Croatia Tours, France Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation Pueblo, Colorado, United States of America

Murska Sobota: Ingolstadt, Germany Podstrana, Croatia Turnov, Czech Republic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States of America Paračin, Serbia

Novo mesto: Langenhagen, Germany Vilafranca del Penedes, Spain Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina Jixing, China Provinca Brescia, Italy Leskovac, Serbia Vršac, Serbia Herceg Novi, Montenegro

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Ptuj: Saint Cyr sur Loire, France Burghausen, Germany Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia Arandjelovac, Serbia Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia Varaždin, Croatia

Slovenj Gradec: Myoko (Arai), Japan Český Krumlov, Czech Republic Vöcklabruck, Austria Hauzenberg, Germany Gornji Milanovac, Serbia Morphou, Cyprus

Velenje: Split, Croatia Lukavac, Bosnia and Herzegovina Prievidza, Slovakia Valjevo, Serbia Albacete, Spain Udine, Italy Esslingen, Germany Vienne, France Schiedam, The Netherlands Neath Port Talbot, Great Britain Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland

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Mayors having signed and stamped the contract of cooperation within the European Capital of Culture 2012 project; from left to right: Mr Matjaž Zanoškar (Municipality of Slovenj Gradec), Mr Štefan Čelan, PhD (Municipality of Ptuj), Mr Alojz Muhič (Municipality of Novo mesto, Mr Franc Kangler (Municipality of Maribor), Mr Srečko Meh (Municipality of Velenje), Mr Anton Štihec (Municipality of Murska Sobota)

Letters of intent (82)

Partner communties: Municipality of Krško Municipality of Postojna

Varaždinske barokne večeri (Varaždin Baroque Evenings), Varaždin, Croatia

Municipality of Trbovlje

Watermans, London, UK

Municipality of Rijeka, Croatia

Christiane Paul, New York, USA Dance Camp Project, Kobe, Japan

Slovenian cultural, educational and other institutions:

Brown University, New York, USA

Zveza kulturnih društev Maribor (Association of Cultural Societies Maribor)

Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität, Linz, Austria

Jurcer – Zavod za kulture Maribor (Institute of Cultures Maribor) IZUM – Institut informacijskih znanosti, Maribor (Institute of Information Science Maribor)

Camerata Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria GMT+2 Fundation, Sofia, Bulgaria AltArt Fundation, Cluj, Romania Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, Belgrade, Serbia

Zveza Romov Slovenije, Murska Sobota (Romani Union of Slovenia, Murska Sobota)

National Forum API, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Egon March Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Concert Direction Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Zveza tolminskih mladinskih društev, Tolmin (Association of Youth Societies Tolmin)

Festival Toscano di Musica Antica

Društvo Hiša kulture v Pivki, Pivka (House of Culture Society, Pivka)

Trans-Media-Akademie Hellerau, Dresden, Germany

European Capital of Culture Pecs 2010, Hungary

Rotor, association for contemporary art

Ars Ramovš Institute, Brežice Festival, Ljubljana, Slovenia

IFEA - International Festivals & Events Association?!

Turistično društvo Pekre (Pekre Tourist Association)

Epica Antica, Trieste, Italy

University of Maribor

Künstlergruppe BBM, Hannover, Germany

Sports Centre Pohorje

Troia, Berlin, Germany Tourism Technican Mancomunidade, Arousa-Norte, Spain

Foreign cultural, artistic, educational and other institutions: Ars Electronica Center Linz Museumgesellschaft mbH M’ARS – Centre for Contemporary Arts, Moscow Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney, Australia Setepes, Porto, Portugal Time’s up, Linz, Austria Interactive Institute, Stockholm, Sweden Arscenic, Paris, France Ciant, Praga, the Czech Republic 2580 Association, Cluj – Napoca, Romania FOAM, Brusels, Belgium “Budo Tomović” Cultural Information Centre, Podgorica, Montenegro

Stelarc, Australia Danube University Krems, Austria University Kassel, Germany Sava Center, Belgrade, Serbia Ancient Music Laboratories, Krakow, Poland Foamlab Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Kraljevo Friendship for New Times, Serbia Felix Meritis, Europees centrum voor kunst, cultuur en wetenchap, Amsterdam, The Nederlands

Slovenian Youth Centres: MIKK, Youth Information Club, Murska Sobota Vetrnica Public Institution Slovenj Gradec

M. Guelman Gallery, Moscow

MC Krško, Youth Centre Krško

Anne Roquigny, Paris, France

Zavod O, Institute of the Youth in Škofja Loka

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Business entities and organisations: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Regional Chamber Maribor Institute for tourism Maribor Štajerska Tourism Union, Maribor Municipal Tourism Association Maribor Zavarovalnica Maribor d. d. MRA Maribor Development Agency GIZ – Old Maribor Economic Interest Grouping Perutnina Ptuj d. d. Nova Kreditna banka Maribor d. d. MTB, Company for Engineering, Trade and Services LLC Carnolian Investment Co. Ltd Terme Maribor, d. d. Krka d. d., Novo mesto Velenje Coal Mine Simobil Vodafone d. d. European Multimedia Forum

Media: ČZP Večer, Maribor

Religious communities: Maribor Archdiocese Evangelical Church Community Murska Sobota, Slovenia Murska Sobota Diocese Sacrament of Passage, Maribor, Slovenia

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Around 1830, the Slavic Philologist Fran Miklošič attendet the today’s Prva gimnazija Maribor secondary school

Capacities for the implementation of the programme In comparison to many other, also larger European cities, Maribor has on its disposal a lot of quality venues equipped with suitable infrastructure as well as smaller venues. With the possibility of becoming the European Capital of Culture and the related development of cultural tourism in the city, the need arises for a large venue that would satisfy the needs of large productions of various types of performing and other arts, as well as economic needs like fairs, congresses and other activities. The capacity of the hall and auxiliary rooms should accommodate at least 1,500 people. Eastern Cohesion, about 220 venues in municipal areas alone!

Maribor (more than 100) City halls (Maribor 31) The Grand Hall of SNG Maribor – 850 seats, movable stage 15 x 20 m, backstage, suitable for opera, ballet, theatre, interactive scenic and concert setup, piano, infrastructure for scene setup, lights and sound design. The hall has the related infrastructure (dressing rooms etc.), practice rooms, and study rooms in case of own productions (manager: SNG Maribor) The Union Hall – up to 650 seats, movable stage 9 x 15 m, custom setup, according to the opinion of many experts it is acoustically the most appropriate hall for classical music performances in Slovenia – suitable for chamber music as well as symphony orchestra and chorus projects, 2 pianos, infrastructure for lights and sound design. The hall has the related infrastructure (dressing rooms etc.), practice rooms, and study rooms in case of own productions (manager: Narodni dom Maribor) The Štuk Hall – up to 500 people, within student event centre of University of Maribor, infrastructure for lights and sound design (manager: ŠOUM) The Grand Hall of Narodni dom – up to 400 seats, stage 7 x 8m, backstage, suitable for smaller theatre, music, dance, interactive scenic and concert setups, infrastructure for scene setup, lights and sound design. The hall has the related infrastructure (dressing rooms etc.), practice rooms, and study rooms in case of own productions (manager: Narodni dom Maribor) The Maribor Cathedral (Stolna cerkev) – up to 400 seats, concert organ, and acoustics suitable for performances of instrumental and vocal music (manager: Maribor Diocese) The Franciscan Church – up to 400 seats, suitable for performances of instrumental and vocal music (manager: Maribor Diocese)

The Old hall of SNG Maribor – up to 300 seats, stage 10 x 12m, backstage, suitable for smaller opera, ballet, theatre, interactive scenic and concert setups, piano, infrastructure for scene setup, lights and sound design. The hall has the related infrastructure (dressing rooms etc.), practice rooms, and study rooms in case of own productions (manager: SNG Maribor) St. Aloisius Church – up to 300 seats, church organ, suitable for performances of baroque music with smaller chamber bands and orchestra (manager: Maribor Diocese) The Kazinska Hall SNG Maribor – up to 200 seats, very good acoustics, suitable for performances of chamber music, piano (manager: SNG Maribor) The Knight’s Hall in the Regional museum Maribor – up to 180 seats, suitable for performances of chamber music, together with the Maribor castle arcades and the Regional museum exhibition rooms it is also appropriate for all other events that coincide with the Maribor castle’s ambient (manager: Regional museum Maribor) The Slomšek Hall – stage 5 x 6 m, appropriate infrastructure for sound and lights design, 272 seats, namely 194 and 78 on the balcony (manager: Diocese Maribor) The hall of the Puppet theatre Maribor – 140 seats, infrastructure for performance of puppet shows (manager: Puppet theatre Maribor) The Glazer Hall – up to 150 seats (manager: the University Library Maribor) The Regional Cultural Incubator – up to 60 seats, appropriate infrastructure for cultural events (manager: MKC Maribor) The Amphitheatre of the Faculty of Education in Maribor – up to 200 seats, piano (manager: University of Maribor) The First stage of the I. Gimnazija in Maribor (secondary school) – up to 200 seats (manager: I. Gimnazija Maribor) The Amphitheatre of II. Gimnazija in Maribor (secondary school) – up to 200 seats (manager: II. Gimnazija Maribor) Andreanum – an amphitheatre hall, equipped with 120 lecture-room chairs, a desk for 5 lecturers and a platform (manager: Maribor Diocese) The Hall of Secondary Music School Maribor – up to 100 seats, piano (manager: Secondary Music School Maribor) The Rotovž Hall – up to 100 seats, accompanying rooms, the Small city museum (manager: Municipality of Maribor) The Hall in the Betnava Castle – up to 100 seats, a multipurpose knight hall, furnished in the baroque style (manager: Maribor Diocese)

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The Trstenjak Hall of University of Maribor– up to 100 seats (manager: University of Maribor) The Podrecca Hall of University of Maribor – up to 100 seats (manager: University of Maribor) The Small Stage of SNG Maribor – up to 100 seats, stage and appropriate infrastructure for smaller chamber music setups (manager: SNG Maribor) The Small Stage of the Narodni dom Maribor – up to 80 seats, stage 6 x 6 m, appropriate infrastructure for smaller chamber music setups (manager: Narodni dom Maribor)

Exhibition spaces and galleries (9) Maribor Art Gallery – up to 150 seats (manager: Maribor Art Gallery) KiBela – space for visual and intermedia art and a multipurpose venue for seminars, presentations, lectures, round tables, press conferences and rich cultural programme, suitable technical infrastructure – up to 180 seats (manager: Kibla multimedia centre) The Rotovž exhibition salon (manager: Maribor Art Gallery) The Ars sacra gallery

The Minorite Stage – up to 200 seats, stage 6 x 4 m, appropriate infrastructure for concert setups during the Lent Festival

The DLUM gallery

The Judgment Tower – up to 180 seats, stage 6 x 4 m, appropriate infrastructure for smaller chamber music setups during the Lent Festival (manager: Narodni dom Maribor)

The exhibition grounds of the University library Maribor

The Water Tower – up to 80 seats (manager: Narodni dom Maribor) The Synagogue – up to 80 seats (manager: Regional museum Maribor)

The Habakuk congress centre (6), manager: Terme Maribor The Turner Hall – It is located on the ground floor of the congress centre and it extends over 404 m2. The stalls in the form of a cinema setup can accommodate up to 400 people and together with the balcony up to 500. In the parliamentary setup it accommodates up to 180 people. The hall is equipped with a projection screen sized 7 x 9 m and a stage of 13 x 7 m. The Minařik Hall – It is located on the ground floor of the congress centre and it extends over 230 m2. In the cinema setup it accommodates up to 220 people and in the parliamentary setup it accommodates up to140 people. In front of the hall there is a foyer available in the size of 200 m2, which can be used as an entertainment/catering area or as an exhibition area. The hall and the foyer can be connected in one single room.

The Stolp photo gallery

The Hest gallery The MediaNox gallery

Club event spaces (8) The KIBLA multimedia centre – stage 12 m2, up to 150 people, suitable technical infrastructure for the following activities: intermedia projects, audio-visual events, exhibitions, concerts, films; classroom, conference room (manager: KID Kibla) The cultural incubator on Koroška street (manager: MKC Maribor) Pekarna – event hall, stage 15 m2, up to 200 people, suitable technical infrastructure for the following activities: concerts, films; sports playroom, classroom, conference room etc. (manager: Club MC Maribor) Jazz club Satchmo – up to 200 people, stage 6 x 4 m, suitable technical infrastructure for concerts and similar activities Club KMŠ – up to 200 people, stage 6 x 4 m, suitable technical infrastructure for concerts and similar activities (manager: KMŠ Maribor Student Club) Club KGB – up to 100 people, stage 4 x 3 m, suitable technical infrastructure for concerts and similar activities

The Priol Hall – It extends over 76 m2. In the cinema setup it accommodates up to 80 people, in the U-setup up to 32 people and 40 people in the parliamentary setup.

Club of the National House – up to 80 people, stage 4 x 3 m, suitable technical infrastructure for concerts and similar activities (manager: Narodni dom Maribor)

The Primožič, Vokač, Teply Halls – The halls extend over 54 m2 and can accommodate up to 50 people in the cinema setup, up to 28 people in the parliamentary setup or up to 22 people in the U-setup.

The Lent Festival Hall A multi-purpose hall, particularly suitable for commercial events of different genres, movable stage 8 x 6 m, various setups for 450 (banquet setup) to 1.300 people (concert setup)

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Cinema halls (11) The Partizan and Udarnik cinemas both in the denationalization process – have been part of the public infrastructure from 1995 onwards. There is a possibility of using both cinemas for non-commercial cinematographic activities in Maribor, such as playing film music simultaneously with live screening of the film as well as other cultural activities, directly or indirectly related with film art.

that take place within the spheres of cultural societies, neighbourhoods, local communities or city quarters are of exceptional importance for cultural enlightenment of the local population (amateur theatre groups, instrumental group choirs, dance workshops, wine and culinary culture, ethnological specialities, etc.) and can also present an attractive additional cultural offer.

Open-air entertainment spaces (at least 9)

Kolosej

The Grajski trg Square

Nine (9) modern equipped classic cinemas and one 3D cinemas (number of seats: 381, 190, 3 x 129, 216, 306, 236, and 190)

Saturday morning concerts from spring until autumn (organized by the Institute for Tourism Maribor) and accompanying concerts in the time of Music September festival (organized by Narodni dom Maribor)

Sports halls (4 larger and about 50 smaller ones) The Tabor Public Institution Hall – a large hall with up to 4,000 seats, accompanying halls The MŠD Branik Hall – up to 3,500 seats The Ice Hall – up to 2,000 seats The Leon Štukelj University Sports Centre – up to 1,600 seats About 50 additional halls in the frame of DTV sports association, secondary and primary school gyms and clubs

Shopping centres Contemporary cultural and performance trends are not limited to established venues but break the duality of cultural events between the artists being active and the audience being passive. Large shopping centres and cinema complexes like Kolosej and Planet Tuš represent small cities, not offering just the basic commercial and other services. Numerous visitors spend more than their free time in these centres. Therefore it is no coincidence that many contemporary artists of different genres plan their events interactively, integrating random audience, which in this case does not have the role of a passive listener or viewer but of an active participant of a cultural event. Europark Qlandia The City shopping centre Planet Tuš 8 top-notch equipped cinemas with altogether 2,000 seats, the latest picture and sound technology, the biggest cinema with 544 seats and the biggest screen with 200 m2.

Entertainment spaces for non-professional cultural activities in neighbourhoods and city quarters

Pavilion in the municipal park Sunday promenade concerts from spring until autumn (organized by Narodni dom Maribor) Castle courtyard open-air cinema, also appropriate for numerous other cultural events Račji dvor Manor Vrbanski plateau The three ponds Municipal park Betnava castle Bolfenk on Pohorje

Open-air spaces in the time of Lent Festival (6) Big stage on Drava river stage 20 x 20 m, up to 2,000 seats, backstage, appropriate for opera, ballet, theatre, interactive performing events and concerts, piano, scene set up infrastructure, light and sound design Jazzlent stage stage 9 x 10 m, up to 500 seats, infrastructure for light and sound design Večer stage stage 8 x 9 m, infrastructure for light and sound design Rotovž Square stage stage 9 x 10 m, up to 600 seats, backstage, theatre performances, scene set up infrastructure, light and sound design Jurček stage stage 3 x 4 m, up to 200 seats, infrastructure for light and sound design Glavni trg Square sites for street theatres

Non-professional cultural activities in the field of children and youth activities or activities of lifelong learning

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Squares in need of renovation (at least 4)

Other facilities for cultural events:

Rotovški trg Square Trg revolucije Square Rakušev trg Square Trg generala Maistra Square

Elementary schools: OŠ Breg, OŠ Ljudski vrt, PŠ Grajena, OŠ Mladika, OŠ Olge Meglič, OŠ dr. Ljudevita Pivka, Karol Pahor Music School;

Cultural heritage objects in need of renovation (at least 12) Renovation of Minorite church and monastery: Puppet theatre – up to 400 seats Small theatre hall – up to 100 seats

Secondary schools, universities, Youth associations: Ptuj School Centre, Gimnazija Ptuj secondary school, Regional Higher Education Centre Ptuj; Social activity centres: Center interesnih dejavnosti, Ljudska univerza Ptuj, ZRS Bistra Ptuj; City quarters: Breg, Jezero, Ljudski vrt; Fire brigade departments: Kicar, Spuhlja;

Minorite church – up to 200 seats

Sacral facilities, churches: Minorite Monastery (refectory, church, monastery courtyard), Dominican Monastery (cloisters) and churches: St. Jurij, St. Ožbalt;

Judgement tower – up to 180 seats

Galleries: Tenzor, Lugarič, Magistrat;

Renovation of Žiče manor

Inns and stores: Hotel Mitra, Terme Ptuj, Blagovnica Ptuj;

Residential and administrative areas for European orchestra academy with smaller exhibition (history of music events in Maribor) or concert venue

City streets and squares in time of events: Slovenski trg square, Mestni trg square, Prešernova ulica street.

Summer auditorium – up to 900 seats

Maribor Art Gallery enlargement of the main exhibition space

Slovenj Gradec (9)

Maribor Regional Museum

Narodni dom Slovenj Gradec cultural centre – capacity: 840m2, Hall with 280 seats

exhibition space will enclose approx. 1.000 m2

Youth Culture centre – capacity: 243m2, venue for 150 people

KPD Karantena

Ksaver Meško Library – capacity: 1245m2, venue for 80 people

numerous practice places intended for various societies and 4 smaller halls for events between 30 and 100 seats

Ptuj (about 30) Ptuj City Theatre, Slovenski trg 12 and 13 Ivan Potrč Library Ptuj, Prešernova 33–35, Ptuj Ptuj Regional Museum - Dominican Monastery, Muzejski trg 1, Ptuj - unit at Prešernova 37, Ptuj - unit at Dravska ulica 1, Ptuj - Mihelič gallery, Dravska ulica 4, Ptuj Narodni dom Ptuj, Jadranska 13, Ptuj Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Regional unit Maribor, Ptuj branch, Prešernova 18, Ptuj Stara steklarska delavnica, Slovenski trg 1, Ptuj Rogoznica culture hall, Nova vas at Ptuj – a hall with auxilliary spaces Grajena culture hall, Grajena – a hall with auxilliary spaces

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Slovenj Gradec Music School, Birth House of Hugo Wolf – capacity: 468m2, Chamber Concert Hall with 70 seats Koroška Art Gallery – capacity: 1102m2 – featuring a larger exhibition space, where 450 seat can be placed Koroška Regional Museum – capacity: 1308m2, exhibition space for about 100 people Slovenj Gradec Sports Hall – capacity: 2290m2, hall with 800 seats Three smaller halls in nearby villages (Podgorje, Šmiklavž, Stari trg) – capacity: 1500m2, halls holding 100 to 200 seats Rotenturn Castle Atrium – outdoor venue, capacity: about 1000 visitors

Velenje (22)

Murska Sobota (about 45)

Narodni dom cultural centre, renovated in 2006 Great Hall: 450 seats, Small Hall: 150 seats

Youth information and culture centre

Music School Great Concert Hall, 280 seats; Organ Hall: 162 seats; Blue Hall: 100 seats, Orchestral Hall: 60 seats

Murska Sobota Regional and study library Murska Sobota Music School Concert Hall of the Music School

Nova Center Great Hall: 200 seats

Murska Sobota Gallery

Velenje Gallery Exhibition Space: 370 m2

Castle Hall

Velenje Castle Castle Atrium with mobile roof, seats: 50, standing room:150 people Hotel Paka, Velenje Great Multipurpose Hall (cinema, congress…), seats: 250 Small Multipurpose Hall, seats: 66 Velenje Youth Centre Concert Hall, seats: 70 Velenje lake stage Capacity: 15.000 visitors

Cinema

Research and Education Centre Institute for adult education Secondary school of economics Jaki Hall Secondary School centre – Gimnazija Murska Sobota PAC Club Spaces

Sports Hall: Elementary School III: 2460m2 – capacity: 1000 people Elementary School I: 2700m2 – capacity: 1000 people

Selected public outdoor spaces for the realization of UVKF Book Festival projects: Historic park of Herberstein Vila – capacity: 500 visitors Sončni Park Velenje – capacity: 2.500 visitors Titov trg square – capacity: 3.000 visitors Stari trg square, Šalek, below Šaleški castle – capacity: 1.000 visitors Stari trg suqare, Staro Velenje, below Velenje castle – capacity: 1.000 visitors St. Jakec Clearing – capacity: 1.000 visitors Fishing Cabin and Horse Club Velenje – capacity: 1.000 visitors

Elementary School II: 1100m2 – capacity: 400 people Bakovci: 1200m2 – capacity: 400 people Krog: 450 m2 – capacity: 400 people Small sports halls nearby

Spaces and Atriums of two Castles in the Municipality of Murska Sobota Evangelican church Church of St Nikolaj Whitsunday church

Outdoor spaces: stadium, airport

Novo mesto (about 10) Dolenjska Museum Novo mesto Anton Podbevšek Theatre Hall Photo Gallery Simulaker Gallery Clearing at Otočec for the Rock Otočec Festival Ambiental spaces of Novo mesto City

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Investments Investments in cultural infrastructure: Maribor

Ptuj

West Lent: Renovation of Minorite monastery and construction of puppet theatre

Castle-panorama hill Dominican Monastery

West Lent: Renovation of Minorite church and Minorite monastery mansard (European Orchestra Academy)

Ristovec Castle

West Lent: Renovation of Žiče court (European Orchestra Academy)

Cultural forum

Youth house

West Lent: Renovation of Judgement tower and reconstruction of Venice

Centre for development of rural tradition

West Lent: Construction of Summer auditorium and renovation of “Tri babe”

Slovenj Gradec

West Lent: Renovation of houses at Vojašniška St. 21, 23 Renovation of Maribor castle – Phase III Renovation and enlargement of Maribor Art Gallery Cultural-business zone KPD (Karantena, Business Incubator) Railway Triangle: House of Regions Railway Triangle: House of Art Old city centre: Koroška street - Cult-street Old city centre: Nasek manor Old city centre: Čeligij tower Pekarna Cultural Zone New central library Local library Kamnica Renovation of Union Stage on Drava river Stage of Narodni dom cultural centre Museum paths – Industrial heritage

Multimedia centre Hugo Wolf birth house

Velenje Velenje castle Klasirnica object

Investments in transport infrastructure: Maribor Western bypass - Habakuk hotel Western bypass from Radvanje to the motorway Extension of western bypass towards Limbuš Renovation of railway station Initiation of modernizing Maribor airport

Murska Sobota

Betnava Centre

Reconstruction of Štefan Kovač Street in front of the cinema hall

Murska Sobota

Reconstruction of Zvezna Street because of MKC youth cultural centre

Cinema hall Multicultural centre

Ptuj

Village of harmony

Parking garage below Cultural forum

Novo mesto

Slovenj Gradec

Narodni dom Novo mesto cultural centre

Svoboda square

Anton Podbevšek Theatre

Gosposvetska Street

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National Resolution 07-23 Modernisation of railway network (Modernisation and new construction in the course of railway section in Corridor V Koper/Trst-Hodoš; Modernisation and new construction in the course of railway section in Corridor X) Modernisation of national road network within priority development axes (Development axes 3 and 3a) Additional motorway construction programme Other investments: Maribor Radvanje hotels and holiday apartments Areh hotel Ruše holiday apartments Renovation of student residence halls New student hostel Radvanje Aquatic Park Murska Sobota Project documentation for MKC youth cultural centre Project documentation for the Village of Harmony and changes to town-planning scheme for Pušča Velenje Youth hostel and day centre for cultural-educational and social activities of young people National Resolution 2007–2023 Construction of South-eastern Slovenia economic centre Construction of PHOENIX economic centre in Posavje region Construction of PERSPEKTIVA economic centre in Notranjska region Construction of OKO economic centre in Pomurje region Construction of OREH economic centre in Podravje region Construction of NOORDUNG economic centre in Koroška region Construction of TEHNOPOLIS+ economic centre in Savinjska region National broadband network Integration of natural and cultural potentials of Karst region Megalaxia amusement park University Medical Centre Maribor Modernisation of medical system e-zdravje (e-health) Modernisation of judicial system e-pravosodje (e-justice) Network of emergency medicine centres Fund for development of human resources and scholarship scheme Sustainable mobility Sustainable energy and hydrogen economy Modernisation of electricity network Construction of a new generating facility Spodnja Sava hydroelectric power plant The project Kozjak pumped storage hydroelectric power plant Construction of Šoštanj Thermal power plant Block 6 Construction of gas storage facility (near Brestanica)

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Sources For Maribor: ACE Kibla:

Urška Košica, Narodni dom Maribor

Peter Tomaž Dobrila

Bojan Labovič, Municipality of Maribor, director

Simon Kardum

Sonja Sibila Lebe, Faculty of Economics and Business

Aleksandra Kostič

Uroš Lobnik, department of architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering Maribor

Dejan Pestotnik The Municipality of Maribor: Daniel Sajko Emica Antončič, Dialogi magazine and Aristej publishing house Maja Beranič, independent curator Aleksandra Berberih-Slana, Director of the Museum of National Liberation Maribor

Jure Maček, Maribor Regional Archive Dragica Marinič, former director of Youth Cultural centre Maribor Leopold Mikec, Maribor Regional Archive Ljubo Mišič, City-planning Institute Maribor Tadeja Nedog, former member of staff in ACE Kibla David Orešič, independent lighting designer

Cameron Bobro, musician

Marjana Orthaber, former member of staff in ACE Kibla

Claire Booth, Orchestral Academy Project Manager

Borut Osonkar, Director of Pekarna Institute

Urška Breznik, activist

Alja Lipavic Oštir, University Library Maribor

Andrej Brvar, editor and poet, Litera publishing house

Brigita Pavlič, Glasbeni september / Festival Maribor, Narodni dom Maribor

Nenad Cizelj, graphic designer Edward Clug, Opera and ballet, SNG Maribor Mitja Čander, Študentska založba Academic Press – Beletrina imprint

Vojko Pavšič, architect Franci Pivec, IZUM Mojca Planšak, independent journalist

Samo Dekleva, Dokma, festival of documentary film in Maribor

Klemen Ramovš, Seviqc Brežice, former Festival Brežice Group

Darko Golija, sculptor and professor at the Faculty of Education Maribor / Academy of Arts in progress

Vili Ravnjak, SNG Maribor Drama, dramaturg

Aleksandra Gruden, Independent artist in the field of culture, sculptor

Marko Resinovič - Reza, Sacrament of Passage

Milan Razdevšek, Director of Maribor Tourism Institute

Miha Horvat, intermedia artist

Oto Rimele, Head of Art Education Department, Faculty of Education Maribor

Tomaž Kancler, architect, President of the Association of architects Maribor

Branimir Ritonja, Stolp Maribor Photo gallery

Petra Kapš, independent curator Mojca Kasjak, President of the Plesna izba Maribor dance theatre Tomaž Kladnik, Military Museum of the Slovenian Army, Military academy project manager

Petra Simončič, Gloss magazine Ljubljana Štefan Simončič, ACE Kibla Peter Simonič, Department of Ethnology, Faculty of Arts Ljubljana Stojan Skalicky, municipal architect, Municipality of Maribor

Boris Kolar, Institute of Public Health Maribor - Institute of Environmental Protection, director, biologist and ecologist

Boris Sovič, former mayor, Municipality of Maribor

Breda Kolar Sluga, Director of Maribor Art Gallery Gordana Kolesarič, Municipality of Maribor

Srečko Štajnbaher, former director of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Maribor

Mirjana Koren, Director of Maribor Regional Museum

Dejan Štampar, architect in graphic designer

Martina Kositer, ACE Kibla

Jože Šubic, painter

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Karmina Šilec, conductor of the Carmina Slovenica choir

Toni Tomašek, creative director

For Ptuj:

Marjan Toš, Sinagoga gallery Maribor

Project manager:

Srđan Trifunović, Magdalena, Festival of Creative Communication

Ivan Vidovič, Municipality of Ptuj

Orlando Uršič, Litera Publishing House

Polona Vidmar, Ptuj Regional Museum

Tina Varl, Maribor Regional Museum

Dr Aleš Gačnik, Scientific Research Centre Bistra Ptuj

Vlasta Veselko, mover

Andrej Brence, Ptuj Regional Museum

Robert Veselko, architect

Martin Vičar, Scientific Research Centre Bistra Ptuj

Petra Vidali, culture editor in the Večer newspaper

coordinators (all Municipality of Ptuj):

Simona Vidmar, curator, Maribor Art Gallery

Simona Kašman

Marko Vezovišek, SNG Maribor

Alenka Korpar

Maja Vuksanovič, ACE Kibla

Janko Širec

Borut Wenzel, Pekarna Institute

Tanja Ostrman Renault

Dušan Zidar, sculptor and professor at the Faculty of Education Maribor

Klavdija Petek

Sculpture Association Ljubljana Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Maribor

Ivan Žižek, Ptuj Regional Museum

Peter Cafuta Iva Ferlinc

Written sources: The Internet, publicly available websites and the related data Jure Mikuž / Zdenko Vrdlovec: Fritz Lang, Ljubljana 1985 Peter Fister: Umetnost stavbarstva na Slovenskem / The Art of Architecture in Slovenia, Ljubljana, 1986

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For Velenje:

For Murska Sobota:

Regional development Programme for Savinjska Region 2007–2013, District development Programme SaŠa 2007-2013, Local Cultural programme 2004–2007, NDP – 2007–2013

Municipality of Murska Sobota: www.murska-sobota.si

Srečko Meh, Mayor of Municipality of Velenje

Matjaž Farič. Flota Institute

Vlado Vrbič, Director of Velenje library

Slavko Šuklar, composer

Aleš Ojsteršek, Director of Velenje Youth Centre

Jernej Šavel, musician

Lado Planko, Head of Velenje library

Duša Škof, ZKD association

Boris Štih, Director of FKK music school, Velenje

Leon Novak, ECO

Matjaž Černovšek, Head of Pika festival

Kristjan Borovšak, Murska Sobota music school

Urška Šramel, representative of FKK music school, Velenje

Brigita Bavčar, Cultural commission in preparation of RDP

Tatjana Vidmar, representative of the regional branch of the JSKD fund Velenje and Secretary of ZKD Institute of Šaleška dolina valley

Jožek Horvat Muc, Romani Association Slovenia

Damijan Kljajič, Director of Velenje Museum Milena Koren Božiček, Head of Velenje Gallery Peter Pušnik, Head of Coalmining Museum Slovenia until autumn 2006 Peter Kovač, Adviser to the Mayor on non-commercial public services

Janez Balažic, Regional Museum, Dominik Šteiner, MIKK youth club

Nana R. Rodež, Pomurski Vestnik newspaper Franci Just, Franc Franc publishing house Mojca Breščak, Municipality of Murska Sobota Darja Potočnik, Municipality of Murska Sobota PAC Lions Club Tomaž Rauch

Marjan Marinšek, Head of KV events

Murska Sobota Gallery

Ivo Stropnik, literary author, editor and publicist as well as Head of Velenje Book Foundation

Tatjana Buzeti

Kristina Kovač, representative of Intemunicipal Association of the Friends of the Youth Velenje Darja Plaznik, Adviser II for culture at the Municipality of Velenje; Velenje Nina Mavec Krenker, the JSKD Fund, Velenje regional branch Maja Hostnik Helena Knez Barbara Pokorny Peter Groznik - Peč

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For Slovenj Gradec:

For Novo mesto:

Ksandi Javornik, project manager, Municipality of Slovenj Gradec

Sandra Boršič, coordinator for culture at the Municipality of Novo mesto

Marjana Štaleker, programme coordinator, Kulturni dom Slovenj Gradec

Danijel Brezovar, expert member of staff in Anton Podbevšek Theatre (APT)

Marko Košan, Director of Fine art gallery

Pavle Jenič, expert member for investments in the Municipality of Novo mesto

Brigita Rajšter Saša Djura Jelenko Karla Oder Marjana Štaleker Branko Čepin

Franci Kek, youth culture Borut Pelko, LokalPatriot Matjaž Berger, director of the APT theatre Zdenko Picelj, director of the Dolenjska Museum

Lucija Čevnik Aleksandra Rošer Jernej Kožar Milena Zlatar Janez Bogataj Andrej Makuc Andreja Gologranc Fišer Alenka Waltl Marko Košan Dušan Stojanović Franjo Murko Edi Koraca Sašo Vrabič Marija Lah

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Activity time table: 04/05/2004

11–12/2006

17/05/2007

Opinion on the materials by the EU Committee of the Regions – amendment to decisions on European Capitals of Culture 2009 to 2019; studying materials by the European Parliament with regard to ECOC

Preparation and coordination of the cooperation agreement between partner municipalities for the ECOC project

First place to the candidature of Maribor and its partner cities as estimated by the international jury

01/2006 Preparation of overview of candidature possibility (possible programme framework, capacities, sources) 04/2006 Composing the presentation of Maribor as ECOC 2012 candidate Presentation of possible candidature of Maribor to Slovene members of the European parliament 06–07/2006 Preparation of proposal to appoint an ECOC organising committee (not adopted because of the announced call for tender by the Ministry of Culture) 14/07/2006

28/12/2006

25/05/2007

Working meeting of partner city mayors, partnership agreement

The Minister proposes to the Slovene Government to approve the candidature of Maribor

11–12/2006

31/05/2007

Working meetings with cultural workers, institutions, representatives of partner cities

The Government approves the candidature of Maribor

25/01/2007 Signing the agreement between 6 partner municipalities on partner cooperation within ECOC 2012 01–02/2007 Gathering information, materials, preparation of application texts, preparation of materials for the City Council 01/2007

05–06/2007 Preparation and coordination of the necessary documentation for the application in Brussels 05–07/2007 Preparation and overview of investment projects for tenders by the Government Office for Local SelfGovernment and Regional Policy (ERDF – regional initiatives), preparation of candidatures, coordinating the documentation, commissioning the preparation of the Document to identify the investment project

Call for tender by the Ministry of Culture

Preparation of the Culture Development Programme – adjusted to the ECOC project

09/2006

02/2007

Revision of City of Maribor budget – allocating funds for the preparation of ECOC candidature

Collection of letters of support – cities, institutions

Meeting of partner city mayors – coordination on tasks by the end of 2008

19/02/2007

29–30/08/2007 Cooperation with Hungary – Pecs (ECOC 2010) in the field of cultural tourism

– The option of awarding a public contract for the tasks

1st extraordinary session of the City council: Adopting the Culture Development Programme of the City of Maribor, approval of the ECOC candidature

09–10/2006

28/02/2007

Execution of a low value public procurement to prepare all the necessary materials for candidacy with regard to the ECOC tender by Ministry of culture

Call for tender deadline, application submitted to the Ministry of Culture

Preparation of work concepts: – The option of having the administration prepare the candidature

26/10/2006 Awarding the contract with the chosen contractor – KIBLA 11/2006 Invitation for cooperation to other municipalities 177

02–03–04/2007 Preparation and execution of promotional activities for candidature 04–05/05/2007 Promotion: Tesla Electric Company performance 14/05/2007 City of Maribor budget for 2007 adopted

17/07/2007

07/2007 Coordination and agreement on further cooperation with Kibla 08–09/2007 Coordination of tasks with regard to documentation for Brussels, an annex to the contract with Kibla 09–10/2007 Working meetings with the Ministry of Culture with regard to the application for Brussels – financial issues Preparation and overview of investment projects for tenders by the Government Office for Local Self-Government

and Regional Policy (ERDF – regional initiatives), coordinating discussions at the Government Office for Local Self-Government and Regional Policy, the Ministry of Culture, and Maribor Development Agency 16/10/2007 A letter of the mayor to the Slovene Prime Minister to organize a meeting on ECOC 10/2007 Verifying the Pure energy! logotype in European institutions 22_23/10/2007 Stratcult project, a working meeting with Linz ECOC 2009 project administration 10_11/2007 Completion of the ECOC application and accompanying documentation to be sent to Brussels 15/11/2007 Working meeting of the partner cities working group – overview and completion of application documentation, coordinating financial and investment data 11/2007 Completion of application materials (finances, investments), verification of contents, corrections, coordination with partner cities

7/12/2007

28/01/2008

Response of the Slovene Prime minister with regard to the ECOC meeting – leaves the matter to the Ministry of Culture

Working discussion with Utrecht delegation on the ECOC candidature

12/2007 Preparation and coordination of the contract between partner cities on joint activities in 2008 12/12/2007 Finalization, completion, formation of the ECOC application for Brussels 10–14/12/2007 Organizing the printing of ECOC application for Brussels 20/12/2007 Decision of the Slovene Government on nominating Maribor with partner cities as the Slovene candidate for ECOC 2012 22/12/2007 The Ministry of Culture submits application documentation to Brussels 01–02/2008 Arrangements with the Ministry of Culture for additional financial support to the investment in the puppet theatre – ‘cultural tolar’

04/02/2008 Checking procedure situation with regard to deciding on the Maribor candidature for ECOC at the European Commission in Brussels 10/02/2008 Launch of the English version of Maribor – ECOC 2012 website 11/02/2008 Working meeting of the Mayor and the Minister of Culture on ECOC issues 13/02/2008 Working discussion with Kibla representatives, defining the most important tasks 14/02/2008 Ministry of culture confirms in writing additional investment funds for the puppet theatre 05/03/2008 Partner cities team session Coordination of contract between municipalities 10/03/2008

Mayor presents the Maribor candidature in Vienna

International city-planning workshop on the ECOC projects within the »Railway Triangle« Faculty of Civil Engineering – University of Maribor

Ensuring the translation of all materials

01–01/2008

14/03/2008

22/11/2007 Web working conference of the partner cities project group – final coordination of the financial part of the ECOC application for Brussels

Overview of investment financial sources, tenders for EU funds at the Ministry of culture and the Government Office for Local Self-Government and Regional Policy

22_23/11/2007

22/01/2008

Preparation of a working meeting of partner cities project group Meeting with the Government Office for Local Self-Government and Regional Policy and the Ministry of Culture – using structural funds

Working visit to Luxemburg (ECOC 2007)

Working meeting on ECOC investments and programmes within City of Maribor urban planning

5–6/12/2007 Interventional review of application criteria due to varying instructions of EU bodies

17/02/2008

25/03/2008 Organization of a working meeting with Slovene Cultural Contact Points

01–02/2008

In preparation

Preparation of the Nasek Manor renovation project Coordinating the contents and administration of Pekarna cultural zone (before renovation project design)

Overview of investments for defining the priority tasks

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Application timetable 01/03/2007 Submitting a joint application for the European Capital of Culture 2012.

3. How will cultural fields be divided according to partner cities?

On 28th February 2007, the mayors and deputy mayors of six Slovenian municipalities submitted a joint application for the ECOC 2012 at the Ministry of Culture. The Mayor of the City of Maribor Franc Kangler, The Deputy mayor of the City of Murska Sobota Dezider Šooš, the Mayor of the City of Novo Mesto Alojzij Muhič, the Deputy mayor of the City of Ptuj Mirko Kekec, the Mayor of the City of Slovenj Gradec Matjaž Zanoškar and the Mayor of the City of Velenje Srečko Meh together submitted the candidature for the title European Capital of Culture for the Year 2012 at the Ministry of Culture. Having submitted the documentation together, which means the official submission of candidature for the project by Maribor and its partner cities, we wanted to stress our determination and interest for cooperation within this project, enabling not only development, but also recognisability of a great part of Slovenia at the European level.

4. Which investments will be included in the project?

08/03/2007 Opening of applications at the Ministry of Culture. On 7th March 2007 the Commission of the Ministry of Culture, composed of Tanja Vertelj (the president) and the members: Barbara Vodopivec, Vesna Jurca Tadel, Vid Klančar and Andrej Breznik examined the applications for the competition to select the candidate city for the title European Capital of Culture 2012. Four complete applications were submitted in time by the following cities: The city of Maribor, The city of Koper, The city of Ljubljana and The city of Celje. 21/03/2007 Poetical Slovenia Ceremony. On this occasion the programme of the City of Velenje was presented within the partner candidature of Eastern Cohesion cities for the European Capital of Culture 2012. The decision to join the partnership for the European Capital of Culture 2012 project was adopted by the councillors of the City of Velenje at the 2nd session of Velenje City Council in January 2007. 04/04/2007 Press conference on Maribor candidacy for the European Capital of Culture 2012. The content of Maribor candidacy for the European Capital of Culture 2012 with partner cities was presented together with the corporate identity, the slogan and the website www. si2012.si or www.maribor2012.si. Frequently asked questions: 1. Why Eastern Cohesive region of Slovenia? 2. Why the regional concept?

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5. Which projects and programmes are signature marks of Maribor candidacy? 19/04/2007 Exhibition of France Mihelič and the Ptuj presentation for European Capital of Culture 2012. 23/04/2007 International jury selected Maribor with partner cities. The City of Maribor has received an official notice of the Ministry of Culture, stating that the international jury has selected Maribor (with partner cities) to be proposed to the Minister of Culture as the Slovenian candidate city for the title European Capital of Culture 2012. Dr Vasko Simoniti, the Minister of Culture of Republic Slovenia, and Guy Dockendorf, the president of the international jury presented the expert recommendation for the selection of the city to be nominated for the title European Capital of Culture for the year 2012, which was formed by the international jury for the examination of applications and the selection of a city for this nomination. 25/04/2007 Press conference in Maribor: The success of joint candidature. The joint press conference of six mayors of the partner cities – candidates for the title ECOC 2012 – after the international jury of the Ministry of Culture on 23rd April confirmed the candidature of Maribor with its partner cities as the best evaluated candidature for the European Capital of Culture 2012. 26/04/2007 Press conference in Novo mesto. 04/05/2007 Tesla Electric Company at the SNG Maribor. Production: Pandur Theaters and Ulysses Theatre, Brioni, Croatia Mittelfest 2006 Festival, Italy and Ljubljana Festival, Slovenia Upon its candidature for the European Capital of Culture 2012, the City of Maribor presents: Tesla Electric Company, directed by Tomaž Pandur, a performance on Nikola Tesla, a genius, scientist and visionary.

17/05/2007

International Jury:

Recommendation of the international expert jury.

Guy Dockendorf (president) Ministry of Culture, Higher Education and Research, Luxemburg

The website of the Ministry of Culture offers the complete Expert recommendation of the international jury for the examination of applications, having been submitted for the selection of the candidate city for the title European Capital of Culture 2012. 25/05/2007 Minister of Culture proposed Maribor to the Slovenian Government. On 24th May 2007, Dr Vasko Simoniti, the Slovenian Minister of Culture, forwarded to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia the proposal on the selection of the city to be nominated for the title European Capital of Culture 2012 – proposal for reading. With this document the Minister of Culture Vasko Simoniti proposes that the Slovenian government should propose the City of Maribor as a candidate for the title European Capital of Culture 2012 to the competent institutions of the European Union. 31/05/2007 Slovenian Government adopted the decision to nominate Maribor. The Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the decision to propose to the competent EU institutions The City of Maribor as a candidate for the title European Capital of Culture 2012. The Ministry of Culture will forward the decision to competent EU institutions, supported with relevant documentation. The Slovenian Government has adopted the decision on the basis of the proposal forwarded by the international expert jury and of the proposal forwarded by the Minister of Culture, Dr Vasko Simoniti. 20/12/2007 Slovenian Government decided to nominate Maribor.

Dr Franco Bianchini De Montfort University, The International Cultural Planning and Policy Unit, Leicester, Great Britain Dr Marjeta Ciglenečki Faculty of Education, Maribor, Slovenia Mag Marjan Hribar Directorate for Tourism, Ministry of the Economy, Slovenia Mag Monika Kirbiš Government Office for Local Self-Government and Regional Policy, Slovenia Dr Igor Masten Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia Dr Bernard Nežmah Mladina weekly and Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia Mitja Rotovnik Cankarjev Dom culture and congress centre, Slovenia Vladimir Rukavina Narodni Dom Maribor, Slovenia Prof Janez Suhadolc, BSc Architecture Architect, Slovenia Dr Peter Verlič Ministry of Transport, Slovenia Herald Voorneveld Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Netherlands Peter Vujica Music critic, composer, writer and editor for culture, Austria

On 31/05/2007 the Slovenian Government adopted the decision to propose to the competent EU institutions The City of Maribor as the candidate for the title European Capital of Culture 2012 and authorize the Ministry of Culture to submit the candidacy to competent EU institutions. In line with the European Commission’s regulations, the City of Maribor prepared an official application – a “candidacy proposal” to be prepared by the candidate city – and forwarded it to the Ministry of Culture.

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Photo credits: TRG, Foam from Brussels in the Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2005, photo archive of ACE Kibla

A mill on the Mura river, photo Karlo Vratarič

Kibla’s Digital Commune I in the Cankarjev dom Culture and Congress Centre, Ljubljana, 2007, photo archive of ACE Kibla

Novo mesto, photo archive of Novo mesto Municipality

Maribor, photo Marko Petrej, archive of Maribor Tourism Institute Murska Sobota, photo Matej Končan – Kleemar Novo mesto, photo archive of Novo mesto Municipality Ptuj, photo archive of Ptuj Municipality Velenje, photo archive of Velenje Municipality Slovenj Gradec, photo archive of Fine Art Gallery Slovenj Gradec Pandur.Theaters: Tesla Electric Company, director Tomaž Pandur, photo Aljoša Rebolj Marta de Menezes: Nature?, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2006, photo archive of ACE Kibla Mirsad Begić, Ohraniti sanje II (Preserving Dreams II), 1987, mixed technique, 15x60x25cm, photo archive of Murska Sobota Gallery Vladimir Leben and Damjan Kracina: Galapagos, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2005, photo archive of ACE Kibla Maribor, photo Damijan Švarc Maribor, archive of Maribor Tourism Institute Narodni dom Maribor, photo archive of ACE Kibla City castle of Maribor, castle staircase, photo Irena Kacafura, archive of Maribor Regional Museum

Murska Sobota, PAC club, photo archive of PAC Club

Novo mesto, Kapitelj field, V/35, amber bead with four bird heads, early Iron Age, photo Borut Križ, archive of Dolenjska Regional Museum, Novo mesto Novo mesto, Kandija, IV/3, figuratively decorated bronze situla 1, early Iron Age, photo Borut Križ, archive of Dolenjska Regional Museum, Novo mesto Novo mesto, Dolenjska museum and the town church, photo archive of Novo mesto Municipality Rock Otočec festival in Novo mesto, photo archive of Novo mesto Municipality Novo mesto, the castle group, photo archive of Novo mesto Municipality Ptuj, photo archive of Ptuj Municipality Ptuj, pillory, Ptuj, photo archive of Ptuj Municipality Ptuj, Dominican monastery, photo archive of Ptuj Municipality Ptuj castle, courtyard, photo archive of Ptuj Municipality Ptuj, Mithraic temple, photo archive of Ptuj Municipality Ptuj, the ‘kurent’ figure, photo archive of Ptuj Municipality Slovenj Gradec, photo archive of Slovenj Gradec Fine Arts Gallery Slovenj Gradec, the Mestni trg square by night, photo Jože Repas Slovenj Gradec, the Mestni trg square, photo Jože Repas

Rafts on the Drava river, photo Bogdan Zelnik, archive of Maribor Tourism Institute

Rotenturm castle, Slovenj Gradec, photo archive of Slovenj Gradec Fine Arts Gallery

Matjaž Krivic: Earth Temples, exhibition in the Maribor city park, photo Matej Kristovič, photo archive of ACE Kibla

Bogdan Borčič, Slovenj Gradec Fine Arts Gallery

Matjaž Krivic: Earth Temples, exhibition in the Maribor city park, photo Matej Kristovič, photo archive of ACE Kibla

The Velenje coalmine, photo archive of Velenje Municipality

Church of St Aloysius, Maribor, photo Dino Schreilechner, photo archive of ACE Kibla

Velenje, photo archive of Velenje Municipality

The Velenje lake, photo archive of Velenje Municipality

Murska Sobota, photo archive of Murska Sobota Municipality

Klasirnica, the Velenje coalmine, photo archive of Velenje Municipality

Murska Sobota, Renaissance city castle, photo Sonja Vratarič

The Velenje castle, photo archive of Velenje Municipality

Murska Sobota, Renaissance city castle, photo Sonja Vratarič

Theo Botschuijver: Inflatable Structures, the Maribor city park, 2004, photo archive of ACE Kibla

Storks, Murska Sobota, photo archive of Murska Sobota Municipality Murska Sobota, Evangelical church, photo archive of Murska Sobota Municipality Murska Sobota, Rakičan castle, photo Karlo Vratarič Murska Sobota, Dobray hotel, photo Sonja Vratarič

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Matjaž Krivic: Čevlji / Shoes, photo archive of ACE Kibla Ptuj, The Birth of Mithras, photo archive of Ptuj Municipality Old Slavic houses (from Umetnost stavbarstva na Slovenskem / The Art of Architecture in Slovenia by Peter Fister, Ljubljana, 1986)

St. Ana from Ptujska gora, photo archive of Ptuj Regional Museum

Lent Festival, Večer stage, Maribor, photo archive of Narodni dom Maribor

The Olimje castle, photo Tamino Petelinšek

Martin Bricelj: Robovox at the Glavni trg square, Maribor, 2007, photo archive of ACE Kibla

Žiče Carthusian monastery, photo archive of the 47th International Mathematical Olympiad, Ljubljana, 2006 Ptujska gora, Patron Mary with the coat, photo archive of the 47th International Mathematical Olympiad, Ljubljana, 2006 Ptuj, smithery, photo archive of Ptuj Municipality Bonfire customs, photo archive of Grad Municipality The future Museum of Socialism, Maribor, photo Dino Schreilechner, photo archive of ACE Kibla The former Automotive factory Maribor, from Maribor, City Council Maribor, 1965 Advertising poster for Styria bicycles from 1900, ZAP, Puh collection Pandur.Theaters: Barok, director Tomaž Pandur, photo Aljoša Rebolj Dejan Štampar: The Railway triangle The Railway triangle, photo Dino Schreilechner, photo archive of ACE Kibla Mikrourbanika, Pekarna institute in Maribor, photo archive of Pekarna Edward Clug: The Architecture of Silence, Opera and Ballet, SNG Maribor, photo Tomaž Gregorič Inner World Theatre: Medea, Institute of Cultures Maribor, photo Sašo Jurcer Edward Clug: Tango, Opera and Ballet, SNG Maribor, photo Tomaž Gregorič Platform of young artists, photo archive of Plesna izba Maribor dance theatre Lent Festival, Main stage, Maribor, photo archive of Narodni dom Maribor Bojan Labovič: Marpurgi 1, digital presentation by Samo Lapajne Bojan Labovič: Marpurgi 2, digital presentation by Samo Lapajne Bojan Labovič: Marpurgi 3, digital presentation by Samo Lapajne

Pathetico concert, Pekarna institute, Maribor, photo archive of Pekarna Vlado Repnik: All About Lesotho, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2006, photo archive of ACE Kibla Carmina Slovenica choir, Maribor, photo archive of Carmina Slovenica Tuba, photo J. Svent, archive of Novo mesto Municipality Glasbeni September / Musical September, photo archive of Narodni dom Maribor Hexacordo, Seviqc Brežice Festival, Turjak castle, photo archive of Ars Ramovs Institute Izzven, Jazz Festival Maribor, 2006, photo archive of ACE Kibla Goga Atrium, photo archive of Novo mesto Municipality Izzven, Jazz Festival Maribor, 2006, photo archive of ACE Kibla Orchestral Academy Maribor in eastern Lent area, photo archive of Maribor Municipality Gal Gjurin, Festival ljubezni / Festival of love, literary festival in Svečina, 2008, photo Matej Kristovič, photo archive of ACE Kibla Aleš Šteger, literary reading, Za:misel bookshop, Maribor, 2006, photo archive of ACE Kibla Jernej Lorenci, Pinocchio, Maribor Puppet Theatre, 2007, photo David Orešič Dušan Tršar comprehensive exhibition, photo archive of Murska Sobota Gallery Boštjan Drinovec, “Little rebels at the edge of the Pannonian Plain”, 2003, quartz, iron, wood, 80x80x9, photo archive of Murska Sobota Gallery Maribor Art Gallery, Viteška dvorana hall, photo Damijan Švarc Pekarna institute, Hladilnica Gallery, photo archive of Pekarna

Lent Festival, fireworks, Maribor, photo archive of Narodni dom Maribor

Dušan Fišer: Antelope and the enigma of the mental structure of space, Rotovž exhibition saloon, Maribor, photo Damijan Švarc

Lent Festival, folk art, Maribor, photo archive of Narodni dom Maribor

Maribor Art Gallery, photo Damijan Švarc

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The natural and cultural attractions of Eastern Cohesion Region (pages) Kibla’s Digital Commune I in the Cankarjev dom Culture and Congress Centre, Ljubljana, 2007, photo archive of ACE Kibla

The oldest electric bulb in this part of Europe. Panel on the Grajski trg square, photo archive of ACE Kibla

son:DA: .enota739 in the Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2004, photo archive of ACE Kibla

The oldest vine in Maribor, registered in the Guinness World Records. Old Vine House in Maribor, photo Bogdan Zelnik, archive of Maribor Tourism Institute

104 Julien Maire: DIGIT & Demi-pas, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2007, photo archive of ACE Kibla Julien Maire: DIGIT & Demi-pas, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2007, photo archive of ACE Kibla Igor Štromajer and Brane Zorman: Ballettikka Internettikka, Internet ballet (2001-2011), Intima Virtual Base, photo archive of ACE Kibla International festival of computer arts, Maribor Youth Cultural Centre, 2007 Ksenija Čerče: Sonic, Sinagoga Gallery Maribor, 2008, photo Damijan Švarc, photo archive of ACE Kibla Theo Botschuijver: Inflatable Structures, at the Glavni trg square in Maribor, 2004, photo archive of ACE Kibla Dornava, photo archive of Narodni dom Maribor Barbara Novakovič: Rodin II, SNG Maribor, 2008, photo archive of ACE Kibla Homeless people, photo archive of ACE Kibla Mediaterra, Kibela Gallery, Maribor, 2001, photo archive of ACE Kibla Rogač, Multimedia party for children, Kibla, 2008, photo archive of ACE Kibla Rogač, Multimedia party for children, Kibla, 2008, photo archive of ACE Kibla Uroš Lehner: painted Intes granaries, 2007, photo archive of ACE Kibla Coins, photo archive of Ptuj Municipality Laibach: Instrumentality of the state machine, 2004, photo archive of ACE Kibla Dragan Živadinov, photo archive of ACE Kibla Cerkniško jezero, photo archive of Notranjska Regional Park Signing the contract of cooperation within the European Capital of Culture 2012 project, photo Tadej Regent

Maribor’s Vinag has the biggest wine cellar in Slovenia with 20,000 m2. Photo Marko Petrej, archive of Maribor Tourism Institute The highest number of the most beautiful mediaeval castles (the castles of Predjama, Podsreda and Snežnik), monasteries and thermal springs in all of Slovenia. Predjama castle, photo Miha Krivic, archive of Turizem KRAS d. d. The highest chimney in Europe – Trbovlje, 360 m. Photo archive of Trbovlje Tourist Association The first preserved skis from Bloke. Photo T. Budau, archive of Notranjska Museum Postojna The largest intermittent lake in Europe – Cerkniško jezero. Photo archive of Notranjska Regional Park A high share of protected areas by Natura 2000, 33.6 % of the protected areas in Eastern Cohesion. Wetlands in Mura river branches, photo Karlo Vratarič, archive of Murska Sobota Development Centre With a 56.7 % share of forest area with regard to the entire area of the country, Slovenia is the 2nd most “forest-covered country” in Europe right after Finland. These are the woods of Kočevje, Snežnik Javornica and Pohorje. Primeval forest at Pohorje Hills, photo Marko Petrej, archive of Maribor Tourism Institute Postojnska jama as the biggest tourist cave in the EU. The ‘Brilliant’ stalactite, photo Miha Krivic, archive of Turizem KRAS d. d. One of the rare preserved synagogues in Europe – in Maribor. Photo Bojan Nedok, archive of Maribor Tourism Institute Celtic sites and the cultural integration of the Celts into the Slavic population. Etymologically, names like Moge and Kardum are of Celtic origin. Bronze Wild Boar from Brinja gora at Zreče, Maribor Regional Museum, Archaeology collection The most beautiful panorama of the rivers Kolpa, Krka, Mura, Drava. Mura ferry, photo Karlo Vratarič, archive of Murska Sobota Development Centre The biggest rock festival in Slovenia – Rock Otočec. Photo archive of Novo mesto Municipality The biggest cultural institution in Slovenia – SNG Maribor. Slovenian National Theatre Maribor, photo Marko Petrej, archive of Maribor Tourism Institute

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Old Roman Ptuj, the largest Old Roman city outside the Roman walls – limes. Bikonosec sculpture, photo archive of Ptuj Regional Museum Anton Martin Slomšek (1800–1862), the first Slovenian archbishop, sanctified in 1999. Photo archive of Maribor Diocese

The Novo mesto avant-garde (Anton Podbevšek), which is embedded into the European avant-garde (Micić and others). Anton Podbevšek, photo Gašper Brezovar, archive of Anton Podbevšek Theatre, Novo mesto The biggest statue of Tito (at least in Slovenia), in Velenje. Photo archive of Velenje Municipality

Museum attractions, Turkerije collection in the Ptuj castle. Photo archive of Ptuj Regional Museum

Maribor is a university city. University of Maribor, photo Marko Petrej, archive of Maribor Tourism Institute

The youngest Slovenian city Velenje, established after World War Two. ‘Hiding behind the hills’, photo Matej Močnik, archive of Velenje Municipality

The oldest power station Fala, the first power station on the Drava river and in Slovenia (Fala from 1913 till 1918, the first power station in Slovenia). Photo Dino Schreilechner, photo archive of ACE Kibla

Health-resort tourism is the strongest tourist branch in Slovenia (Banovci, Lendava, Moravske toplice, Ptujske toplice, Podčetrtek, Dobrna, Rogaška Slatina, Zreče, Čateške toplice etc.). Rogaška Slatina, spa complex, archive of Rogaška Slatina Municipality Olimje – the oldest pharmacy in Europe. Photo Tamino Petelinšek Mediaeval Ptuj – Archdiocese of Salzburg. Dominican Monastery, photo archive of Ptuj Regional Museum Autochthonous wine sorts: modra kavčina, šipon (furmint) and wine cuvée – cviček. The Old Vine – modra kavčina, photo Marko Petrej, Maribor Tourism Institute The area of pumpkin oil production and consummation. Photo Matej Kristovič, photo archive of ACE Kibla Potica is a traditional Slovenian festive cake that has become famous around the world. Photo archive Notranjska Regional Park Goričko castle – the largest castle in Slovenia featuring 365 rooms. Halloween by the Grad castle in Goričko region, archive of Grad Municipality The deepest (lowest) dining room in the world, 160 meters underground in the Museum of Coal Mining in Velenje. Sausages and rolls are served. There are about 60,000 visitors per year. Coal Mining Museum in Velenje, photo archive of Velenje Municipality Herman Potočnik Noordung – museum in Vitanje, innovations in the field of space architecture. Herman Potočnik Noordung, Problem vožnje po vesolju (The issue of travel in space), Slovenska matica Publishing House, Ljubljana, 1999 The inventor Janez Puh was born in Sakušaku near Juršinci in 1862. Together with the manufacturer Werner Puh he started the first factory production of bicycles in 1899; in 1901 the first motorcycle with petrol engine drove from Puh factory. Two years later serial production of motorcycles began, at the same time Puh made his first car; in 1906 they started the serial production. Puh motor Type R1 (2 HP), taken from the Puh factory catalogue from 1912 (ZAP, Puh collection)

The first computer network in Yugoslavia (IZUM). The old RCUM computer centre at the University of Maribor, VAX 780 with hard disks and a tape streamer and VAX 750 with a tape streamer, Computer centre of the University of Maribor, archive of UM Kibla – the biggest multimedia centre in Slovenia all the way to Linz (Austria). Photo Damjan Švarc, photo archive of ACE Kibla Doctor Karol Grossmann filmed the first movie on Slovenian ground. Fritz Lang, a world famous director, stayed with his family and sculptured in the studio. At that time Grossman made the first acquaintance with the camera. Some motives for his expressionistic movies originated here. From the book Fritz Lang by Jure Mikuž/Zdenko Vrdlovec, photo lab of the Museum of Modern Art The biggest museum collection of clothes in Slovenia (Maribor Regional Museum). Photo Irena Kacafura The biggest festival of old music Brežice in Slovenia. MUSIca AlcheMIca, Seviqc Brežice, photo archive of Ars Ramovs The largest festival of chamber music Glasbeni September (Musical September) in Slovenia. Photo Angelika Kirchschlager, 2007, photo archive of Narodni dom Maribor Slovenj Gradec is the birth city of the world-famous romantic musician Hugo Wolf (1860–1904), the master of hymns. Photo archive of Fine Art Gallery Slovenj Gradec A rich mythology of witches, dwarves, local heroes, Turjaška Rozamunda, Erazem Predjamski, Peter Klepec, Martin Krpan, King Matjaž. King Matjaž, illustration by Alenka Sottler from the book Mehurčki by Oton Župančič, Mladinska knjiga publishing house, Ljubljana, 2004 Slovenski narod (the Slovene nation) – the first Slovenian newspaper, edited by Anton Tomšič and Josip Jurčič. Lojze Kogovšek: Josip Jurčič Monument, photo Dino Schreilechner, photo archive of ACE Kibla The cradle of Pandur’s theatre in 1990’s. Pandur.Theaters: Barok, director Tomaž Pandur, photo Aljoša Rebolj

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Dokma – a festival of documentary film in Maribor, Slovenia. Photo archive of ACE Kibla

Maribor – the only Slovenian winner of the European Urban award – 2000. Urbact, Ljubo Mišič and Daniel Sajko

Magdalena – in Maribor – the only Slovenian international festival of creative communication in Slovenia. Photo archive of ACE Kibla

Leon Štukelj (1898–1999) – world famous Olympian and the Slovene athlete with the highest number of Olympic medals: born in Novo mesto, lived and worked in Maribor. Photo archive of Dolenjska Museum, Novo mesto

The largest killing fields of defeated soldiers and civilians after World War Two. Memorial to the Fallen, Teharje at Celje, photo Dino Schreilechner, photo archive of ACE Kibla The first serial production car in this part of Europe and the 5th in Europe (TAM). TAM, photo Saša Bizjak, Photo Ljubor Archive Nikola Tesla resided in Maribor between years 1878–79, aged 22 he worked as an assistant engineer. He was cheerful, played poker at the inn Pri Veselem kmetu and never finished his studies at the Vienna University, which later conferred an honorary doctorate on him. He lived on the Tegetthoffstrasse street in Maribor, now named Partizanska cesta. On 24th March 1879 the police accompanied him to his native Gospić as a homeless person. Photo archive of Nikola Tesla Museum, Belgrade The largest Slovenian preserved railway quarter from the 19th century in Maribor. Railways residential area, photo Dino Schreilechner, photo archive of ACE Kibla Carmina Slovenica – world champions in choir music. Karmina Šilec, conductor of Carmina Slovenica 10 multimedia centres, which are part of the Multimedia centre network (16), the biggest network of this kind in Europe; carriers of digital contents. Photo archive of ACE Kibla

Base 20 in Kočevski Rog, the dwelling of the political leadership of the Slovenian Liberation Front from April 1943 till December 1944. It is the only headquarters of resistance movement in Europe that is built in such covert way and still well preserved. Important monument of Slovene independence. Photo Marko Pršina, archive of Dolenjska Museum, Novo mesto There are around 500–700 bears in the southern Slovenian woods. Photo archive of Notranjska Regional park One of the biggest sites of Hallstatt culture in Europe. Situla, detail, photo Borut Križ, archive of Dolenjska Regional Museum, Novo mesto The most visited summer festival in Slovenia – Lent in Maribor (500,000 visitors). Photo archive of Narodni dom The oldest (since 1953) and largest aquarium - terrarium in Slovenia operates in Maribor. Photo Dino Schreilechner, photo archive of ACE Kibla Borštnikovo srečanje (the Borštnik meeting), the biggest Slovenian theatre festival. Peter Ternovšek, winner of the ‘Borštnik ring’ award, photo archive of SNG Maribor Around 1830, the Slavic philologist Fran Miklošič attended the today’s Prva gimnazija Maribor secondary school. Dino Schreilechner, photo archive of ACE Kibla

Add attractions to www.maribor2012.si

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