Festival Arsana
WORLD MUSIC EXPERIENCE
Ptuj, Slovenija
Each July, the oldest Slovenian city Ptuj transforms into a global gathering of music artists from all around the world. In fourteen years, the Arsana International Music Festival has presented more than 1,000 events, welcomed 10,500 internationally acclaimed artists, attracted nearly half a million visitors from around the globe, and evolved into one of the most renowned and diverse music festivals in Slovenia and the surrounding region of Europe.
Festival stories have been co-created by renowned artists, such as New York Voices (USA), Take 6 (USA, 10 × Grammy award), Naturally 7 (USA), The Swingles (UK, 5 × Grammy award), Glinka Choir, Russian Smolny Chamber Choir, Danube Philharmonic, Zagreb Chamber Orchestra, Ukrainian Youth Orchestra (UKR), Rade Šerbedžija & Miroslav Tadič (HR & USA), Stefan Milenkovich (SRB & USA), Edin Karamazov (CRO), Kaliopi (MAK), Vlatko Stefanovski (MAK), Josipa Lisac (CRO), Opera SNG Maribor with soloists, Sabina Cvilak, String Quartet Feguš, Magnifico, Perpetuum Jazzile, Vlado Kreslin, Siddharta, Joker Out, Mi2, TABU, Gušti, Tomi Meglič, Alexei Kornienko, Elena Denisova, RTV Slovenia Big Band, Klemen Slakonja, Elda Viler, Boštjan Gombač, Rudi Bučar, Alenka Godec, Lado Bizovičar, Tinkara Kovač, Aleksandra Ilijevski, Bilbi, Mia Žnidarič, Romana Kranjčan, Maja Keuc, Ana Soklič, Nina Strnad, Neisha, Papir , Vladimir Milosevic, Marko Hatlak, Otto Pestner, Uros Peric, Nusa Derenda, Milena Arsovska, Nika Gorič, Teo Collori and Momento Cigano, Renato Chicco, Marko Črnčec, Žan Tetičkovič, Jure Pukl, Melissa Aldana, Vasko Atanasovski, Zoran Majstorovič, Pliš, Gal and Severa Gjurin, Terrafolk, Infected, Vesna Zornik, Neca Falk, Irena Tango Stoy, APZ University of Primorska & Bedtime Story Strings …
The 16th season of the festival will showcase 350 local and foreign artists, representing classical, jazz, ethno, world, rock, and popular music genres through over 50 captivating events at the splendid locations of Ptuj’s historic city between 22 June and 31 August. The festival also caters to a younger audience, offers children’s activities, and a vibrant accompanying program.
This year’s program:
OPERA NIGHT ON PANORAMA HILL
An introduction to the festival summer which has been attracting a record number of visitors from both near and far for several years. Beneath the stars and surrounded by the picturesque scenery of the Ptuj Castle, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to renowned works from the opera’s rich repertoire, performed by the SNG Maribor Symphony Orchestra, Opera Choir, and soloists.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
THE GALA EVENING OF SLOVENIAN EVERGREENS
The second edition of this event, taking place in the oldest Slovenian city, is dedicated to the outstanding compositions from the rich treasury of Slovenian music. The songs are performed by established Slovenian singers accompanied by a large orchestra consisting of the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and Big Band.
LADO – THE NATIONAL FOLK DANCE ENSEMBLE OF CROATIA
LADO, the National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia, is the most famous folklore ensemble in Croatia and one of the best folklore groups in the world. It has been preserving Croatian folk heritage through folk dances and songs for seventy-five years. The dance concert will delight all lovers of folklore and Croatian folk music.
VLADO KRESLIN, MALI BOGOVI AND BELTINŠKA BANDA & ČEDAHUČI
Vlado Kreslin, Festival Arsana’s popular regular, leaves an impression on a varied crowd of listeners every time. With the Beltinška banda (Beltinci Gang) who will be joining him on stage besides Mali bogovi (The Little Gods), he ignited a revival of ethnic music in Slovenia. On the same evening, Čedahuči will perform – the leading Slovenian folksters who have been enriching the domestic music scene for a decade with their unique songs and concerts.
MI2 (ACOUSTICALLY) & LEOPOLD I.
One of the most established bands on the Slovenian music scene sold out the Križanke venue at their thousandth concert last year. Their hits will be presented in an acoustic disguise in this upcoming performance. On the same evening, the rapper Leopold I. will perform. With his musical style that spans diverse atmospheres and rhythmic intricacies, he challenges stereotypes associated with rap.
NATURALLY 7 (USA)
Hailing from New York, Naturally 7 are vocal music virtuosos who transcend genre boundaries and traditional practices of a cappella. Through their innovative approach, known as ‘vocal play’, they skillfully mimic the sounds of an entire orchestra using only their voices. On their upcoming European tour ‘the Movies’, they will infuse their unique style into songs from iconic films such as Titanic, James Bond, Superman, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and more
MAGNIFICO
Over the last three decades, Magnifico, a versatile composer and musician, has left a strong mark on Slovenian culture and defied many stereotypes with his Balkan disco hits. In December 2017, he sold out the Arena Stožice venue for the first time, repeating that feat three more times. Magnifico’s music transcends borders, offering a unique experience to audiences during live performances.
TADEJ TOŠ – ABRAhmm FREESTYLE COMEDY SHOW
Tadej Toš, an actor and stand-up comedian, entertains audiences all over Slovenia. In this freestyle performance, he will delve into the theme of maturing or, as he prefers to say it, getting older. He will present everyday scenarios such as humanity’s struggle with time in his unique style: honest, witty, and direct.
SLOVENIAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
The Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra brings together the finest domestic and international musicians and regularly graces the stages of the most prestigious music festivals worldwide. Demonstrating versatility, it performs a repertoire spanning from the standard orchestral works of the 18th and 19th centuries to contemporary compositions. On this occasion, the orchestra will be conducted by Davorin Mori, one of Slovenia’s most accomplished conductors from the younger generation.
NINA PUŠLAR
Nina Pušlar is one of the most popular Slovenian singers of all time. Since the beginning of her career in 2005, she performed in almost every Slovenian venue, sold out Križanke twice, performed in the legendary Tivoli Hall, and recorded seven studio albums with a huge number of hits. In 2023, she became the first Slovenian performer to fill the Arena Stožice venue.
MUSIC IN THE CITY
Music in the City remains a welcome fixture of the festival scene. This season it will take place in the MuziKafe Home of Culture and the Old Glassworks. Among the performers will be Jure Pukl Trio, Bossa de Novo, Noreia, and Hauptman.
CLASSICAL MASTERS
The cycle of classical music takes place partly outside the main festival events (KGBL Chamber Choir, Ana Julija Mlejnik) and partly during the central happening of the festival (Nika Gorič and Matjaž Balažic) in the Ptuj Castle Festival Hall.
STAGE OF YOUTH
The Stage of the Youth has provided a platform for younger and talented creators for many years. Vocalists from the summer music school, ŠOUROCK youth band competition winners Before Time, blues rockers Moonset, and OD5 QUARTET will perform at the free events.
CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
The Children’s Festival stands at the heart of musical events designed for the youngest attendees. Through engaging workshops, musical fairy tales, musical yoga sessions, an interactive fantasy show, puppet show, and cinema, children will immerse themselves in the world of music and have a delightful, educational experience exploring music and various musical instruments.
ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM
The festival offers a varied accompanying program, including culinary events (Odprta Kuhna, a renowned open kitchen food market), a summer music school, two festival afterparties with live music (Funk Fact and Laganini), and an extra concert that will extend the festival to Ljubljana: TissDass (NIG/FRA).
More details about the program, locations, and tickets are available under the Program tab.
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