Municipality of Celje

Municipality of Celje covers a total area of 95 square kilometres and has a population of 49,473 people (2002) living in 39 settlements. It is one of 11 Slovene urban municipalities with regional importance - the centre of the Savinjska (Savinja River) Region.

First mentioned as Roman Celeia during the 15th century, Celje subsequently became the seat of the counts of Celje, a feudal family of European political significance. Today Celje with 37,875 inhabitants is the third largest town in Slovenia (after Ljubljana and Maribor), and the administrative, economic, educational and cultural centre of the region.

The Social Activities Department is responsible for education, research, culture, sport, social warfare and health care. It draws up development plans and financial analyses and co-ordinates the activities of municipal institutions, which are:

Celje is also home to several national institutions, including the Historical Archives Celje. Several non-governmental cultural associations are active in various artistic genres, especially contemporary dance and visual arts.

The local branch of the Union of Cultural Societies of Slovenia (ZKDS) and the Public Fund for Cultural Activities of the Republic of Slovenia facilitate the activities of local cultural organisations and act as mediators in respect of state and municipal funding.

The city of Celje has hosted the Celje International Crafts Fair every September for more than three decades. It is also a member of Slovene Association of Historic Towns.