An invitation to the Elven Cycling Tour

A special cycling tour through Ljubljana has been announced as part of the 41st International Literary Festival Vilenica. The event invites the public to explore the city’s literary heritage via a leisurely bike ride, passing key locations associated with Slovenian literary history. The tour will take place on Friday, August 28th, starting at 6 pm, and is organized by the Society of Slovenian Writers. It aims to connect movement, urban exploration, and literature, offering space for reflection on the city as a living poetic and literary environment. The route begins at the Society of Slovenian Writers on Tomšičeva Street and proceeds along Prešernova and Groharjeva streets before continuing down Finžgarjeva and Gradaška towards Trnovska Church, which was celebrated in the poetry of France Prešeren. From there, participants will travel along Eipprova to Krakovski Embankment, turn right onto Hradeckego Bridge, cross it, and continue along Grudnov Embankment to Praprotnikova Street, where they will head toward the atelier of Dane Zajc. The journey continues past Prijateljeva to Privoz, turns left onto Roško, and proceeds to Cukrarna, today a modern cultural hub. The path then leads over Poljanski Embankment, crosses a bridge to Rozmanova, and follows Mastrova street to Metelkovo Mesto. The final stretch takes participants along Masarykova, Miklošičeva, and ends at Prešernov Square, where they will pay tribute to Slovenia’s greatest poet. The tour concludes with a walk along Wolf Street, Congress Square, and Valvazorski Square, returning to the starting point on Tomšičeva Street. The festival emphasizes environmental responsibility, highlighting the importance of green transitions and sustainability. In line with this commitment, visitors are encouraged to arrive at events on foot, by bicycle, or using public transport whenever possible. One of the festival's main goals is to reduce its carbon footprint, as it believes literature and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. The event is open to the general public. The pace will be pleasant and accessible to all, with multiple stops along the route. Participants can borrow public bicycles for the occasion. At several points during the tour, brief readings by members of the Society of Slovenian Writers will take place. A reading program will be published later. Attendees are invited to join this local literary adventure and experience Ljubljana through the eyes of writers and poets, on a sustainable, cultural, and inspiring level. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled to September 12, 2026. The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.