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The 2008 Ljubljana Summer Festival is particularly special as it coincides with Slovenia's EU Presidency. This year festivities have been brought forward from the first week of July to the 19th June to mark the occasion.

From its beginnings in 1952, the Ljubljana Summer Festival has evolved into the biggest annual cultural event in Slovenia, attracting around 50,000 visitors. The banks of the Ljubljanica and the streets of the old town - particularly the Slovenska cesta road - will host a diverse programme of events. The capital is set to come alive with accomplished artists, musicians, actors and dancers from different countries.

Sanka Kejžar, Public Relations Representative of the Ljubljana Festivals says: "We are organising more than 70 events in 70 days. The widespread appeal of the festival offers everything from serious operas and ballets to lively rock concerts. And many of the events are set in beautiful venues such as the open-air theatre of Krizanke and the medieval Ljubljana Castle."

Festivities kick off on 19th June with the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from London playing at the Cankarjev dom; tickets are priced at EUR 59-79. Then on 23rd June, the Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Maribor will perform; tickets cost EUR 19-EUR 39.

Various free outdoor events are also set to take place every Saturday in June. The Fraudulent Bakers folklore event at Cobblers' Bridge is an entertaining spectacle - complete with fancy dress and pantomime booing - aimed at reviving the old tradition of punishing fraudulent bakers by dipping them into the Ljubljanica River. For a more low-key event, visit the open-air exhibition of paintings as part of the Breakfast by the Ljubljanica River project.

On the 7th and 8th June a free programme of children's entertainment, education and cultural events will take place as part of the Moon Festival in Tivoli Park and on Slovenska cesta road.

If you have not yet decided on which events to attend, take a stroll around the streets of the capital, or hire a bicycle for EUR 1 during the summer months, and simply soak up the vibrant atmosphere.