1st Alma Festival in the Whole: To find something of Alma in ourselves

The 1st Alma Festival in Celje kicked off with a media conference held at the lapidarium on Savinjski nabrežje, introducing the new cultural project aimed at connecting visitors with the story of Alma M. Karlin through a unique blend of art, history, and local identity. The event was attended by key members of the organizing team, including Borut Kramer, who serves as the head of the program at the Celeia Celje Institute. Kramer outlined the vision behind the festival, emphasizing its goal to present Alma’s narrative in a modern context while linking it to the city and the wider world. The festival, which runs from September 9th to 13th, will feature a variety of free activities open to all ages. It aims to offer a sense of traveling around the world during a walk through the city, allowing participants to discover elements of Alma within themselves. The main venue for the festival is the lapidarium on Savinjski nabrežje, where five outdoor film screenings will take place throughout the week. The lineup includes films such as Bridki božič by Pedro Almodóvar, Alma M. Karlin: Samotno potovanje Marte Frelih, Skrivnost ptic pevk by Antoine Lanciaux, Mala Amelie by Mailys Vallade and Lian-cho Han, and the premiere of Fotograf by Miha Čelar. In addition to the film screenings, the festival will include a range of workshops and interactive experiences. On Thursday, artist Mojca Senegačnik and Maja Antončič will lead a visual workshop, followed by a textile painting session on Thursday and Friday. On Friday, Mojca Senegačnik and Andrej Džakušić will host another visual workshop, while Saturday will see a cooking demonstration featuring traditional dishes from the region. Other highlights include a photography workshop at the Drevesna hiša, led by Jurat Kravani and Žiga Gričnik, and Sunday's hands-on sessions for making dried fruits and paelles under the guidance of Alen Rupnik. Throughout the festival, guided walks through the city will be offered by Matija Plevnik and Davor Mlinarič starting at 5 pm each day. On Tuesday, September 11th, Arne Hodalič will give a lecture and display photographs at the lapidarium, followed by a performance by the band Generator, blending soul, funk, and jazz. On Wednesday, September 12th, a Polish folk group named Poltex Song will perform at the Celjski mestni trg, and later that evening, Iline Arsova, the first Macedonian mountaineer to reach the highest peaks of all continents, will share her story through a talk and film screening. The festival also includes a free experience at the Spominski hiša Alme M. Karlin on Saturday, running from 10 am to 5 pm. The final day of the festival, Sunday, will conclude with an interactive clown show for children at the Mestna plaža, beginning at 11 am. Organizers have expressed hope that the festival will become a lasting brand, offering both cultural enrichment and tourism opportunities. They emphasize the importance of weather conditions for the success of the outdoor events, as many activities depend on favorable weather. With a diverse program designed to appeal to all generations, the 1st Alma Festival promises to be a memorable celebration of art, heritage, and community in Celje.