What good does a Slovenian merry-go-round do?

Petra Rauch's exhibition Persistent Fragments of Europe will open on Friday, July 31, at 7 p.m. in the raum AU Gallery in Slovenj Gradec. The exhibit forms part of the Journey Through Arte Utile project, a research residency at the studio of Pin Poggij aimed at exploring his ideas and work. This year’s resident artist, Peter Rauch, an architect, photographer, and lecturer, will focus on the myth of Europe and the foundations of our culture, according to the gallery. Rauch described his artistic process as one of assembling fragments of construction waste into new materials, embedding meaning within them. “What am I doing? I repeat Pin’s gesture: from fragments I create a whole, I inscribe meaning into found forms. I collect fragments of building waste and occasionally transform them into other materials, inserting and persisting so they carry more than they would be prepared to admit. What will result, I inform you as I go along,” he stated. The residency has previously hosted artists such as Tadej Pogačar, Tobias Putrih, Vesna Bukovec, István Ist Huzjan, Polonca Lovšin, Tomaž Furlan, Heinz Schütz, Aphra Tesla, and Marjetica Potrč. The exhibition, which will run until September 18, is organized in collaboration with the non-profit organization raum AU and KGLU, with support from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia. Curator of the exhibition is Jernej Kožar from KGLU. In a separate cultural event, the village of Vojsko, located over a thousand meters above sea level in the municipality of Idrija, celebrated its cultural significance during the recent St. Jacob weekend. The occasion marked the 50th anniversary of the cultural society Planika, formerly known as Planinka. The publishing house Bogataj presented a book titled Smeh na odru (Laughter on the Stage) featuring six humorous plays written by the active member of the society, Irene Hvala. The event also featured writers participating in the first literary contest Vojsko, my home village, showcasing local talent. Vojsko, with a population of around 240, saw many former residents return for the weekend. Some even took part in theatrical performances, playing roles alongside members of the cultural society. The celebration included excerpts from the humorous plays, which have been performed annually since 1994. Most were played by local actresses, including Renata Hvala Zeliščarico Pepko, Neža Merlak, and president of the society Mojca Magajne, who performed a segment called Term with New Acquisitions. The book was presented humorously, aiming not just to preserve memories but to inspire similar initiatives in other villages. According to the society’s president, Damjana Bončina, “The society isn’t just about performances, costumes, and props. It’s about people, those who believe it’s worth dedicating their time to culture, their village, and each other.” The initiative to form the society came from Branko Šinkovec. Only two members, Irena and Ivan Šinkovec, have been continuously active since the society’s founding in 1976. All three were honored with special awards by the villagers of Vojsko. Although the society is over a century old, its activities ceased due to war and subsequent migrations. However, the cultural events, including the screening of a film about the former military barracks and the competition entries Vojsko, my home village, brought color to the celebrations. As noted by member Kristina Ipavec, “Everything has changed in Vojsko over the last decade, but creativity and friendship remain.” Meanwhile, in another cultural highlight, Slovenj Gradec will host a week-long film festival from August 1 to 8. The event will feature a mix of free screenings, creative activities, and international cinema, divided between the 9th Zebra International Animated Film Festival and the 11th International Film Festival Shots. According to producer Maša Flogie, this year’s Zebra festival received a record number of submissions, 349 films, with 31 selected from 20 countries. The Shots festival received 1,173 short films, from which selectors Tomo Novosel and Žiga Brdnik chose 16 from 11 countries, including two Slovenian entries. The festival organizers initially wanted to create a space for film culture in their small town, but they quickly gained recognition beyond the region. Both festivals have established themselves well, attracting filmmakers from around the world. This year, the Shots festival will host 19 guests, a testament to the festival’s hospitality and appeal among participants. Activities for children include creative workshops, face painting, fun hair styling, and other engaging events. The Zebra festival will kick off on Saturday, starting at noon in the old town center with projections at six different locations. The concept allows visitors to move freely between showings every 30 minutes, enabling exploration of hidden corners of the city while enjoying the films. Evening programs for adults will take place from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., offering 12 animated films addressing social and family themes. The evening will open with a premiere of the short animated film Z glavo v naravo directed by Jernej Kovač Myint. The festival also includes professional workshops, such as an introduction to film criticism led by French critic Thomas Pouteau. Events will continue at the Rotenturm Palace from Thursday to Saturday, featuring film screenings and meet-and-greet sessions with creators. The Zebra festival will award prizes in eight categories, including best film, student film, screenplay, photography, documentary, lead actor, and lead actress, as well as three equivalent awards and a public prize. The Shots festival will also distribute awards in these categories. Thirty-one films will be featured in the Zebra festival program.