Pika's Festival

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Established in 1990, Pika's Festival is the most popular event in Velenje and the largest children's festival that attracts its audience from all over Slovenia. Although planned from the outset as an event for children, it is also popular with parents and teachers. Since 2008 it has been organised by the newly established municipal Velenje Festival Institute.

The festival is named after the heroine Pippi Longstocking (Swedish Pippi Langstrump, Slovene Pika Nogavička), a fictional character in a series of children's books created by author Astrid Lindgren. The spirit of Pippi/Pika as an unconventional and extraordinary strong heroine pervades the festival in Velenje, which aims to develop the imaginations of children as well as adults. Humanity and tolerance towards diversity and otherness is also encouraged. The educational component of the project relates to culture as well as ecology, ethnology, anthropology, new media and technologies.

Pika's Festival features exhibitions, theatre, dance and puppet performances, concerts and workshops. The festival's programme is a unique combination of Slovene professional (Mladinsko Theatre, Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, Mini Theatre), amateur (Loški oder Theatre) or local (Celje Dance Forum, Velenje Puppet Theatre) performing groups and artists. It is supported by the Municipality of Velenje but also generates income through donations, sponsorship, grants, and sales.

External links

Velenje Festival website (in Slovenian)
Pika's Festival web page (in Slovenian)

Gallery

Concert by Slovenian pop singer Alya at Pika’s Festival in 2023. Author: Ksenija Mikor

Children's theater performance Kokoška Emilija at Pika’s Festival 2023. Author: Staš Gregorič

Pippi, riding backwards on her bicycle, Pika’s Festival 2022. Author: Peter Žagar

Pika Nogavička (Pippi Longstocking) rides on her horse Alfred at Pika’s Festival in 2023. Author: Ksenija Mikor

Pippi in the mirror, Pika’s Festival 2022. Author: Peter Žagar

The main characters of the festival: Pippi and Captain Longstocking, Annika, Tommy, and the Pirate, Pika’s Festival 2022. Author: Peter Žagar

Pika’s Festival at main city square in Velenje, 2022. Author: Peter Žagar

Giraffes visiting Pika’s Festival, 2022. Author: Peter Žagar

Pippi and the Pirat, Pika’s Festival 2023. Author: Ksenija Mikor

Beauty salons in Pippi's town offer services such as drawing freckles on children's cheeks and creating ponytails similar to Pipi's signature style. Author: Ksenija Mikor

Pika's Festival

See also

External links

Gallery

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