After nearly two years of renovation the Vodnik Homestead, the cultural hub of Ljubljana's Šiška borough, has been reopened to the public. The occasion is being celebrated with a series of events running until 8 December. The new additions include a co-working space dedicated to writing and illustration and another event venue.

The official reopening of "the house of reading, writing and story-telling" took place on 6 December showcasing a significantly revamped building which now has a new event venue, an indoor-outdoor transition room that will come to life in the spring as a bookshop with a stage and bar, Tina Popovič, head of Vodnik Homestead programmes, told the Slovenian Press Agency.

The venue, which is currently being used to host the 10th Illustration Fair, will be home to literary, music, storytelling and other events. What is special about the room is its movable walls that can be opened and closed as needed, creating a charming ambience where walls become windows in addition to extending the venue to include an open-air courtyard.

When the stage is not busy hosting events it will turn into a place to lounge and read, said Popovič, head of the non-profit Divja Misel, which is in charge of running the centre.

The events celebrating the reopening will include a performance by singer-songwriter Tschimy, a Ljubljana native known for fusing the millennials vibe with the influence of old record collections, and a storytelling evening for adults featuring Italian fairy tales.

A cultural site of local importance, the house is the birthplace of famous Slovenian poet and polymath Valentin Vodnik (1758 - 1819), and as such it strives to preserve his legacy through two permanent exhibitions. It also houses a local music school and has through the years earned a reputation of being a family-friendly venue.

The Vodnik Homestead is well-known for its variety of activities, ranging from children's events and storytelling workshops to talks about geopolitical issues.

One of the main goals of the NGO behind it is to support local artists, and so they made sure the building now has a co-working space dedicated to writing and illustration.

All those interested to use the venue in 2025 can apply until 20 December or until all places are filled. The centre will also support creatives with a symbolic allowance of €100 per month.

The Ljubljana municipality-owned Vodnik Homestead became a cultural venue in 1984. During the Bosnian War the centre was active in efforts to provide spaces where refugees could get creative, make art and socialise. It was particularly dedicated to hosting events for Bosnian children.