Difference between revisions of "Category:Maribor, European Capital of Culture 2012"

The Way of the Rider, a grand equestrian theatre spectacle by Bartabas, founder of Académie du Spectacle Équestre de Versailles at the Hippodrome Kamnica, Maribor, European Capital of Culture 2012

The city of Maribor won the prestigious European Capital of Culture title in 2008 with an ambitious regional proposal that mobilised 5 partner cities in Slovenia (Murska Sobota, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Novo mesto and Velenje). Some of the programme was co-organised with the Portuguese town of Guimarães, another European Capital of Culture in 2012.

Kurent or Korant, the most known and popular traditional carnival character in Slovenia, Kurentovanje, Ptuj 2023. Author: Stanko Vozel

The masked rite of spring known as Kurentovanje has been held since 1960, every February for 10 days leading up to Shrove Tuesday. It is the most popular Mardi Gras celebration in Slovenia, with most of the festivities centered in and Ptuj, Slovenia's oldest town, which has hosted Kurentovanje for around six decades. The Carnival was admitted into the European Federation of Carnival Cities in 1991. In 2017, the Door-to-door rounds of the Kurent were inscribed on the UNESCO representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Groups from Germany, Austria, Croatia, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, and Bulgaria usually participate in the event, assisting local people in building up the Land of the Kurent. The rite itself is accompanied by a full agenda of concerts, activities, and other attractions, ensuring that the event is attended by more than 100,000 visitors every year.

Faries at the opening procession, Ptuj 2023. Author: Stanko Vozel

Carnival events for children, Kurentovanje in Ptuj, 2023. Author: Stanko Vozel

Meet traditional carnival characters: the Devil with Kurents, Ptuj 2023. Author: Stanko Vozel