Organisers have announced more than 100 events and are expecting 15,000 participants from 15 countries and at least 150,000 visitors from Slovenia and abroad.

This year's carnival hopes to highlight the mystical connections between carnival traditions and changes in seasons and focus on the transfer of heritage onto young generations.

While the opening procession is scheduled for 3 February, the festival will culminate on Sunday, 10 February, when around 4,000 traditional carnival figures are expected on the streets of Ptuj.

The artistic side of the carnival will be explored by the traditional fine arts event known as Ex tempore Karneval, while scholarly aspects will be the subject of a symposium scheduled for 5 February.