Lent Festival kicks off summer in Maribor
The traditional Lent Festival, Maribor's main summer event series, is starting on 23 June, bringing concerts of popular music, classical music and jazz, as well as stand-up performances and folk dance events until 1 July.
Lent, the medieval quarter on the left bank of the Drava, which usually hosts the namesake festival, is being renovated, therefore the festivities will take place in the city centre.
"Once again, we have prepared something for everyone," says Vladimir Rukavina, director of the Narodni Dom, which that has been organising the festival for more than thirty years.
The main stage will host major acts such as Slovenian Eurovision contestants Joker Out, legendary Bosnian rock band Indexi, and Vlado Kreslin, who is sometimes referred to as Slovenia's Bob Dylan.
Performers on other stages include Slovenian pop act King Foo, and old-time rockers Tomaž Domicelj and Janez Bončina - Benč.
Jazzlent will showcase Slovenian and foreign jazz performers, including Ivorian-French drummer Manu Katche, Bosnian sevdah star Bože Vrećo and Nigerian Afrobeat performed Seun Kuti.
The Salon of Musicians will offer classical music performances, both by orchestras and smaller ensembles.
Comedy fans will be happy to see that stand up performances are scheduled for every evening of the festival.
Children will be able to enjoy activities throughout the day at Art Camp, including arts, crafts and sports, as well as concerts and theatre performances.
As part of Lent other events will be held in Maribor, such as the street theatre festival Ana Desetnica, the festival of documentary film Dokudoc and the festival of stop animation StopTrik.
The international folk festival Folkart, long a major part of Lent, is celebrating 35 years and bringing performances from folk groups from Zimbabwe, Indonesia, China, Serbia, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
The full programme in English is available here.