The countdown to the world's greatest juggling festival

Ptuj is preparing for its biggest ever circus festival, the European Circus Convention (EJC 2026), which will take place from August 1 to 9. The event marks the 48th edition of the convention and will see over 3,500 performers, acrobats, and circus artists from more than 50 countries descend upon the city. Among the notable participants are acrobat and juggler Tina Vrdjuka Kekec and her partner Matjaž Kekec, known as the duo Arbadakarba. The festival aims to transform Ptuj into an international hub for modern circus during its nine-day run. The preparations for the event have reached their final stages, with the setup of the entire festival infrastructure now underway. This includes the installation of tents, barriers, signage, and technical equipment for large performances, along with 24-hour juggling halls. The campsite on Panorama will also soon be fully organized, accommodating much of the participants. According to Tina Vrdjuka Kekec, the main festival area will be located on the Panorama grounds, where temporary infrastructure has been planned to protect the archaeological site. Mobile sanitation units, showers, eco-islands for waste separation, and water connections will be placed on parking lots beneath the castle. Safety and order will be managed by supervisors and numerous volunteers. Local businesses are also contributing to the event, with support coming from the Municipality of Ptuj. While they are not the organizers, they provide infrastructural assistance, including free access to the Panorama, sports facilities, and other public spaces. Their contribution is valued at over 100,000 euros. The organizers emphasize that they have consistently worked towards close collaboration with the local community. “The European Jugglers' Convention operates as a community project,” explains Tina Vrdjuka Kekec. “In addition to foreign suppliers, we have, wherever possible, actively connected with local hosts, restaurants, cafes, and wineries. Hosts in the old town center are preparing tailored menus, ranging from quick bites to comfortable dishes for participants. On the festival stage, there will also be a bar tent.” The festival is not solely intended for participants. Organizers are prepared for potential adverse weather conditions and have plans to relocate workshops and evening events indoors if necessary. These include the central juggling hall, larger tents, and venues throughout the city, such as the MKC Stara Steklarska. Although professional workshops and camps are reserved for registered participants, a significant portion of the program will remain open to locals and visitors. A special atmosphere will be created by a traditional parade through the city streets, with many jugglers and acrobats dressed in costumes traversing the historic core. Markets and streets will become open-air stages featuring street performances, among the most attractive events being an urban high-line walkway above the city, evening fire spectacles, and gala performances by internationally recognized circus artists. Each day, the market square will host an Open Stage, where some of the world’s best artists will perform.