Performing: Ditka (vocal, ac. guitar), Feri Lainšček (poetry interpretation), Gorazd Čepin (keyboards), Jan Lužnik (el. guitar, backing vocal)

A youthful voice that found a sensitive musical expression for the lyrics of a popular poet. This is a description of the musical narrative with which singer-songwriter and composer Ditka and poet Feri Lainšček have been enthralling listeners throughout Slovenia and across the border for several years. Intimate literary evenings have grown into musical-literary concerts that are extremely popular among listeners who appreciate beautiful Slovenian poetry and quality music.

Ditka and Feri Lainšček’s current project is named after Ditka’s last album and Lainšček’s latest poetry collection Med nama je angel (An Angel Between Us). Ditka’s fourth album also features the poetry of other renowned Slovenian poets. At a time when light is needed more than ever before, a musical poetry concert will bring warmth to people’s hearts and the awareness that dreams are eternal.

Co-organizer: Turistično društvo Ptujska Gora

After the Estudiantina Ensemble concert, the Cuban rhythms will continue with a lively salsa dance evening at Bodi Coffee Shop. Both experienced and novice dance couples and individuals are welcome. The event will be led by Goran Marić who conducts dance classes, individual lessons of salsa, bachata, Latin-American and standard dances, and prepares choreographies for various dance events within the GM Studio. He achieved the highest rankings in international competitions already in his teenage years. Since graduating from the Faculty of Education in Maribor in 2007, he has been continuously improving his music and dance skills, especially in the field of salsa in pairs.

Wednesday night of the festival will be extended by New Ex and a selection of songs from the world of rock and roll, evoking memories of the iconic decades of the 20th century – the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Rock veterans from Ptuj joined with special guests.

Thursday night of the festival will be extended by the dynamic sounds of Laganini and a collection of world hits in the lively rhythms of funk, soul, and rock.

This year, on a summer Saturday, the town square will once again be filled with the enticing aromas of delicacies from various Slovenian regions and world cuisines. The renowned open kitchen food market provides the perfect opportunity to socialize, stroll between stalls, and indulge in a variety of specialty dishes and flavors. In addition to excellent cuisine and international culinary creations, a selection of fine wines, craft beers, and other tasty drinks will be available.

Organizers: Ptuj Tourism Public Institute, Odprta kuhna

Performing: Daniel Caccia (vocal), Ratko Zjaca (guitar), Renato Chicco (piano, organ), Jože Zadravec (drums)

Daniel Caccia earned his master’s degree from the jazz department at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz. Alongside his own quartet, he has performed with various bands throughout his career, including Roger Cicero’s Big Band, Latvian Radio Big Band, and Sigi Feigl Big Band. He has received several awards and nominations for his work (2013 – titled the best young singer by the American magazine DownBeat; 2014 – received the Croatian Porin Discography Award for Jazz Album of the Year with the HGM Orchestra; 2016 – nominated for the German Echo Award for his first solo album Lifeline).

Co-organizer: Imago Sloveniae

Performing: Iztok Koren (banjo, bass drum, chimes, balafon), Ana Kravanja (violin, viola, ribab, balafon, kalimba, bendir), Samo Kutin (harps, ukulele, kalimba, “brač” – chordal tamburitza, balafon, steel drum)

Širom stems from the Slovenian regions of Kras, Tolmin, and Prekmurje and blends diverse musical approaches. Their form of expression is original and stylistically homogeneous, incorporating a wide array of folk sounds alongside contemporary acoustic rock-style meditations. Širom’s music is contemplative yet capable of becoming harder when necessary, leaning more towards a band-like than chamber-like sound.

Co-organizer: Imago Sloveniae