The opening night of the 24th Trnfest will feature a concert by local hip hop crew Simpl & Nedelaz and a painting exhibition by Gigo de Brea, festival coordinator Luka Korenčič has told the STA.

The musical part of the festival will bring Slovenian pop-punkers Dreamwalk and folk group Kontrabant, as well as US DJ Dave Owen.

The first weekend will host an improv marathon, running from Saturday to Sunday night, while theatre shows will also feature clown and dance productions.

A stand-up comedy by popular Vid Valič will draw the curtain on the festival on 26 August, but events will continue with a street festival for families.

The organisers have so far raised some EUR 5,000 to launch the festival, while they would need another EUR 25,000 to match last year's budget.

Trnfest used to run on a budget of about EUR 120,000.

The organisers count on drinks sales to bring enough profit to cover the expenses, while they have not yet come up with a strategy to offset the old debt, Korenčič told the STA.

The festival is severely lacking funds as KUD France Prešeren has run up a debt of some EUR 600,000 over the past two decades.