Panč Festival

Panč Festival is an international stand-up comedy festival established in 2008 in Ljubljana by the Kurz Rock Vibe crew, which later became Ceh za smeh (the Laugh Association). This several-day-long event usually takes place at the Ljubljana Castle courtyard and is the central stand-up occasion in Slovenia. It has hosted most, if not all, of the leading Slovenian performers from this field as well as a strong international line-up, with invited guests from all over the world. The festival's name is a derivative of the term "punchline", which connotes a joke's climax.

Since 2010, in addition to the main summer event, a winter edition of the festival has also been taking place, a slightly more low-key evening called Zimski Panč (Winter Panč). Held at different Ljubljana venues such as Kino Šiška Centre for Urban Culture, Cvetličarna and the Festival Hall, it was also simultaneously organised in Maribor at Narodni dom Maribor. The festival also had an over-the-border venture in Zagreb, Croatia, where the sister event, Pančić, was organised.

Festival guests

Some of the performers who have stood on the Panč stage: Klemen Bučan, Jonas Žnidaršič, Boštjan Gorenc - Pižama, Janez Trontelj, Boris Kobal, Slon in Sadež, Vid Valič, Lucija Ćirović, Tin Vodopivec, Perica Jerković, Admir Baltić, Martina Ipša, Klemen Slakonja, Sašo Stare, Aleš Novak, Uroš Kuzman, Žan Papič, Andrej Težak – Tešky and many more. The latter is also the festival initiator and organiser, and the head of Ceh za smeh.

The festival has also hosted guests from abroad, spanning top names from Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and elsewhere.

Slovenian comedian and actor Lucija Ćirović at the Panč Festival, Ljubljana 2022. Author: Črt Piksi

Ceh za smeh

Ceh za smeh (the Laugh Association) works with comedians at all levels, including newcomers at open mic evenings. The association holds stand-up comedy workshops under the PANČ academy, organising events for both businesses and the general public. It also manages Slovenian, ex-Yugoslav and some English comedians and improvisers. Its flagship event is the annual PANČ festival in August at Ljubljana Castle, where they present their roster. Additionally, Ceh za smeh collaborates with 10KA, the club of laughter, providing a platform for established Slovenian comedians and nurturing young talent through stand-up workshops conducted in partnership with Pionirski dom Youth Culture Centre. The association’s activities encompass monthly stand-up performances, improv shows and hosting comedians from around the globe, both in Ljubljana and across Slovenia.

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