AGP Executive Report

Film: Palestinian director Rakan Mayasi’s Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep won best feature at Skopje’s KineNova festival. The festival closed with Fantasy, a Slovenian-Macedonian coproduction directed by Kukla Kešerović. Children’s Culture: Glavonja, a Croatian-Slovak film with Slovenian participation, opened Belgrade’s Kids Fest. Its story of a girl, her autistic brother and a search for their parents invites young audiences to embrace difference. Travel: Lake Bohinj offers a quieter alternative to crowded Bled, with more room for swimming, hiking and lakeside escapes. Roma Community: Slovenia and Croatia are developing joint projects to improve Roma housing, education and employment, tackle discrimination and strengthen political representation.

Film: Slovenian-backed family film Glavonja opened Belgrade’s Kids Fest after winning children’s jury and audience awards in Cologne. The story of a girl searching for her missing parents alongside her autistic brother aims to make diversity approachable for young viewers. Animation: Slovenian-Italian short Cosmonauts, by Leo Černic, won the 2026 Animest Trophy. Travel: Lake Bohinj is drawing attention as a quieter alternative to crowded Lake Bled, with more space for swimming and hiking. Heritage: Maribor’s 400-year-old grapevine still produces about 30 bottles of wine a year and even has its own anthem. Ideas: The University of Ljubljana has published a new collection exploring the legacy of medieval thinker Ibn Khaldun. Community: Slovenia and Croatia are developing joint initiatives to improve Roma communities’ living conditions, education and employment, and address discrimination.

Film: “Glavonja,” a story about family, friendship and autism, has opened Belgrade’s Kids Fest. Slovenia joined the Croatian-Slovak co-production, which invites young audiences to embrace difference. Wine Heritage: Maribor’s 400-year-old vine still produces grapes and about 30 bottles of wine a year, keeping a celebrated piece of Slovenian heritage alive. Slovenian Cinema: Urša Menart’s Everything That’s Wrong with You, about loneliness and an online friendship between two young women, is competing at the Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož, running through October 18. Travel: A visitor’s comparison of Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled highlights Bohinj’s quieter shores and extra room to explore, while Bled remains the postcard favorite.

Ideas & Culture: Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek’s latest essays tackle Silicon Valley, AI, ecology and the future of humanity. Travel: Bled features among Europe’s best small towns, while a traveler’s comparison makes the case for quieter Lake Bohinj, where visitor numbers are estimated at far below Bled’s. Slovenian Cinema: Urša Menart’s Everything That’s Wrong with You, about loneliness and friendship, is screening at the Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož; animator Leo Černic’s Slovenian/Italian Cosmonauts has also won an award at Animest. Community: Slovenia and Croatia are developing joint initiatives to improve Roma communities’ housing, education, employment and political representation. Books & Scholarship: The University of Ljubljana has published a new open-access collection exploring medieval thinker Ibn Khaldun’s relevance today. Sport & Lifestyle: Slovenian freediver Alenka Artnik is among the women holding the deepest freedive records under AIDA and CMAS rules.

Ideas & Scholarship: The University of Ljubljana has published a 16-chapter collection exploring how medieval scholar Ibn Khaldun’s ideas on society, politics and economics remain relevant today. Roma Inclusion: Slovenia and Croatia are developing joint initiatives to improve living conditions, education and employment for Roma communities and combat discrimination. Slovenian Cinema: Urša Menart’s Everything That’s Wrong with You, about loneliness and friendship, is competing at the Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož, running through October 18. Animation: Leo Černic’s Slovenian-Italian film Cosmonauts has won the 2026 Animest Trophy. Cultural Heritage: The Ukrainian Museum of Canada received an Ambassador for Excellence in Preserving Slavic Heritage distinction at the Živa Awards in Bled, recognised for its collection and work celebrating Ukrainian identity and immigrant history.

Slovenian Cinema: Urša Menart’s Everything That’s Wrong with You, about an online friendship tested by an in-person meeting, is in competition at the Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož, running through October 18. Slovenian-Italian animation Cosmonauts has also won the 2026 Animest Trophy. Barcolana: Trieste’s 58th sailing festival drew about 550,000 visits and 1,858 boats, with more than 500 events across the city and region. Cultural Heritage: The Ukrainian Museum of Canada received an Ambassador for Excellence award at the Živa Awards in Bled, recognized for preserving Slavic heritage and celebrating Ukrainian identity.

Slovenian Film: Urša Menart’s Everything That’s Wrong with You is competing at the Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož, running through October 18. The drama follows two women whose online friendship faces a test when they meet in person. Animation: Slovenian-Italian short Cosmonauts, by Leo Černic, has won the 2026 Animest Trophy. Children’s TV: RTV Slovenia has acquired the first two seasons of Little Princess, bringing the British preschool series to local audiences. Heritage: The Ukrainian Museum of Canada received an Ambassador for Excellence distinction at the Živa Awards in Bled, recognised for preserving Slavic heritage and Ukrainian immigrant history. Sport and lifestyle: American rower Colene Mace, 82, returned from the World Rowing Masters Regatta in Bled with four gold medals after 40 years in the sport.

Screen Success: Slovenian-Italian short Cosmonauts, directed by Leo Černic, won the top prize and audience award at Bucharest’s Animest festival, becoming eligible for Oscar consideration. Heritage: The Ukrainian Museum of Canada received an Ambassador for Excellence distinction at the 2026 Živa Awards in Bled, recognised for preserving Ukrainian heritage and fostering intercultural exchange. Culture & Debate: Slovenia was among five countries whose national broadcasters withdrew from Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s participation, renewing debate about political boycotts in sport and culture. On Screen: RTV Slovenia has acquired the first two seasons of preschool series Little Princess, as the show secures new European distribution deals. By the Sea: Trieste’s Barcolana sailing festival drew about 550,000 visits and 1,858 boats, alongside more than 500 events across the city and region.

Screen Picks: Slovenian-Italian short Cosmonauts, directed by Leo Černic, won both the Animest Trophy and audience award, making it eligible for Oscar consideration. RTV Slovenia has also acquired the first two seasons of children’s series Little Princess. Heritage: The Ukrainian Museum of Canada was named an Ambassador for Excellence in Preserving Slavic Heritage at the 2026 Živa Awards in Bled, recognized for its collection and work celebrating Ukrainian identity and immigrant history. On the Road: A family travel feature highlights Slovenia’s appeal for teens, from rafting on the Soča to exploring Bled and Bovec. Women’s Football: Slovenia will face the Netherlands in a two-leg playoff for a place at next year’s World Cup; the Dutch play the first leg at home between November 26 and December 5.

Animation: Slovenian-Italian short Cosmonauts, directed by Leo Černic, won the top prize and audience award at Romania’s Animest festival, making it eligible for Oscar consideration. Wine & Travel: Štajerska Slovenija was named Europe’s best wine region for 2027, putting the country’s vineyards in the spotlight. Women’s Football: Slovenia will face the Netherlands in a two-leg playoff for a place at the 2027 World Cup, with the first match at home. Family & Society: Slovenia had the EU’s lowest rate of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, at 12.5%, according to a new study.

Family Travel: A family adventure tour highlights Slovenia’s appeal for teens, from rafting on the Soča to relaxed stays in Bovec and meals shaped by Italian, Croatian and Austrian influences. Lake Bled: More than 4,700 rowers from 51 countries gathered for the World Masters Regatta, where visiting Stratford athletes won medals. Wine Tourism: Štajerska Slovenia has been named Europe’s top wine region for 2027, putting the country ahead of better-known rivals. Cultural Heritage: Duluth’s Singing Slovenes have given their final performance after 46 years of preserving Slovenian music, language and traditions. Everyday Life: Slovenia recorded a 10.2% rise in rents in the second quarter of 2026, among the EU’s sharpest increases. Public Media: Authorities are being urged to avoid changes that could weaken Slovenia’s public media.

Film: Slovenian-Italian director Martin Turk has joined the short-film jury for Istanbul’s Bosphorus Film Festival, running Nov. 8–15. Heritage: Slovenian artist Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace, a dove assembled from nearly 1,000 lace roses made by more than 500 lacemakers, is on display at Milwaukee City Hall through Oct. 14. The work draws on Idrija’s UNESCO-recognised lace tradition and the memory of a former concentration camp. Theatre: Slovenia’s Prešeren Theatre in Kranj and City Theatre in Ptuj will bring Jernej Lorenci’s Fight for Survival to the Balkan Theatre Festival in Bulgaria, Nov. 1–7. Diaspora: Duluth’s Singing Slovenes have given their final performance after 46 years of preserving Slovenian music, language and culture. Travel: A visitor’s week cycling Slovenia with an e-bike celebrates the country’s hills, scenery and easy appeal to riders of all abilities.

Cultural Heritage: The Singing Slovenes, a Duluth group preserving Slovenian music and language, gave their final performance after 46 years. Slovenian Craft: Artist Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace, made from nearly 1,000 lace roses woven by more than 500 lacemakers, is on view at Milwaukee City Hall through October 14. Arts: Slovenian director Jernej Lorenci will bring Fight for Survival to the Balkan Theatre Festival in Bulgaria, featuring seven productions from five countries. Lifestyle: Slovenia recorded a 10.2% rise in rents, among the EU’s steepest increases, while a travel feature spotlights the country’s landscapes and routes for e-bike touring.

Cultural Heritage: Duluth’s Singing Slovenes have given their final performance after 46 years of preserving Slovenian music, language and traditions across the US Midwest, Canada and Slovenia. Art & Memory: Slovenian artist Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace—a dove made from nearly 1,000 lace roses by more than 500 lacemakers—will be on display at Milwaukee City Hall through October 14. Inspired by the Ljubelj concentration camp site, the work also celebrates Idrija’s lace-making tradition. Theatre: Slovenia will be represented at the Balkan Theatre Festival in Bulgaria from November 1–7, with Jernej Lorenci directing Fight for Survival, a production by theatres in Kranj and Ptuj. Travel & Outdoors: A travel feature follows an e-bike journey through Slovenia, praising the country’s scenery and welcoming Ljubljana Airport as a starting point for exploring.

Slovenian Heritage: Artist Eva Petrič’s lace dove, made from nearly 1,000 roses woven by more than 500 lacemakers, is on display at Milwaukee City Hall through Oct. 14. Inspired by a former Nazi camp near Slovenia, the work carries a message of peace and Holocaust remembrance while celebrating Idrija’s lace-making tradition. Media and Culture: Slovenians vote today on whether to abolish the licence fee supporting public broadcaster RTV Slovenija. Media-freedom groups warn that removing its funding without a protected alternative could threaten its independence. Wine Tourism: Štajerska has been named Europe’s top wine region for 2027, with Maribor’s ancient vine, historic cellars and hillside wineries among its draws. Sailing: Trieste’s Barcolana58 drew crowds to the waterfront, with 1,858 boats entered for the Gulf of Trieste regatta; its Women in Sailing race spotlighted mixed-gender crews and women’s leadership.

Public Media: Slovenians vote today in four referendums, including one on RTV Slovenija’s funding. Media groups warn that scrapping its licence fee without a secure replacement could weaken the broadcaster’s independence. On Stage: Slovenia will be represented at November’s Balkan Theatre Festival in Bulgaria by Fight for Survival, a production directed by Jernej Lorenci and staged by theatres in Kranj and Ptuj. Active Escapes: An e-bike traveller praises Slovenia’s scenery and hilltop routes, describing a week of cycling from Ljubljana as a joyful way to explore the country. Wine Country: Štajerska has topped a new European ranking of wine regions for 2027, recognised for its vineyards, historic cellars, local hospitality and Maribor’s centuries-old vine.