KUD France Prešeren Arts and Culture Association

KUD France Prešeren

Established in 1919, KUD France Prešeren Arts and Culture Association, usually called "KUD", is a not-for-profit cultural producer and a multi-disciplinary cultural venue in Trnovo, Ljubljana, presenting a variety of daily programmes, ranging from rock, rap, or world music concerts, theatre and puppetry performances, photography and comics exhibitions, to poetry readings and regular programmes for children. Housing a music/theatre hall, a gallery, and a café/bar, KUD has remained a colourful meeting point for the local community while it attracts - especially during August with its open-air stage - also crowds of international visitors.

Overview

The tradition of KUD goes back to 1919, when a local cultural and educational society was formed. After 1987, KUD and its activities extended beyond the old, local framework and began supporting quality alternative or not yet established culture, devoting special attention to underprivileged groups. KUD is nowadays a place where individuals and groups pursue their artistic, cultural, educational, societal, humanitarian, technical, and informational interests, while with its open social space policy, KUD promotes interaction between its visitors and the people who create and produce its various programmes, which is reflected in the planning and shaping of activities. Contributing to its recent history and image are some individuals and groups working permanently from KUD, such as Ana Monró Theatre, Roza's Theatre, Fru Fru Puppet Theatre, Narobov, Jani Kovačič with his Akkustik teArter, etc. as well as festivals, organised by KUD France Prešeren (see Projects).

Programme

The Centre incorporates an auditorium where theatre performances, concerts and children's shows are presented. It also organises exhibitions, lectures, literary readings, seminars, round table discussions and workshops, offering a pleasant location and infrastructure for visits by domestic and foreign artists or groups. The centre has played host to several workshops, discussions and seminars, too.

Numerous arts groups are based in the KUD France Prešeren Arts and Culture Association building, including Ana Monró Theatre, Roza's Theatre, Jani Kovačič, Dertum and the jazz group Lolita.

Projects

Trnfest Festival, Trnovo Tercets or Naked Stage International Improvisational Theatre Festival. The KUD off-site projects have included the Emona Promenade International Street Festival.

Annual Trnfest Festival is a popular summer event, while the Impro Liga runs here the Naked Stage International Improvisational Theatre Festival takes place.

Evenings of poetry known as ‘Poetry Cabarets’ take place throughout the year at KUD France Prešeren. Each event is centred on a particular theme and features one or more authors presenting their work alongside other art forms. The most acclaimed literary event is Trnovo Tercets.

KUD France Prešeren Cultural and Arts Association has published various works including the Cult Titles by Cult Authors series of books by young, hitherto unknown authors and the Proceedings of the Merry Science Humanities Lectures Project.