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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241010
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270101
DTSTAMP:20260416T013507
CREATED:20251124T091236Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T091236Z
UID:10000063-1728518400-1798761599@www.muzej-nz-ce.si
SUMMARY:World of Herman’s friends
DESCRIPTION:Herman Lisjak loves all the people in the world\, so with the help of his human friends\, he prepared the 29th occasional exhibition\, placing the spotlight on Humans. The content\, displayed across four rooms\, guides us from a broad view of the world’s population\, through family and home\, down to the individual. At the exhibition\, we explore the connections between humans and everything that shapes them as social and living beings. \nAt the exhibition\, we explore the connections between humans and everything that shapes them as social and living beings. We present the development of the human species\, the world population\, different social roles\, differences and similarities between people and cultures\, various forms of families and homes. We learn about culture\, heritage\, art\, science\, architecture\, and also about human body\, senses\, and emotions. \nThe exhibition is colourful and designed to be interactive. Its museum language especially delights the youngest visitors\, encouraging them to explore and acquire new knowledge through play. \nWe have implemented the principles of equal opportunities\, considered the diversity of children\, and ensured optimal accessibility for all. Children’s Museum Herman’s Den is fully accessible to those with mobility impairments. For the visually impaired\, we’ve installed magnifiers\, and for the blind\, we’ve introduced a novelty in our museum. We recorded an audio guide\, which users can access with just their phone and headphones. Tactile objects are also available for touch. For groups of deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors\, we can provide a sign language interpreter in Slovenian Sign Language. The content is also available in English. \nIn conjunction with the exhibition\, we have printed a didactic catalogue that children can fill out at the museum\, at school\, or at home. We have prepared a computer game\, didactic elements for recognizing parts of the human body\, and many simple tasks that children can later practice at home. \nThere are more than enough reasons to spark curiosity and visit the museum\, aren’t there?
URL:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/en/dogodek/world-of-hermans-friends/
LOCATION:Otroški muzej Hermanov brlog\, Prešernova ulica 17\, 3000 Celje\, Slovenia
CATEGORIES:Temporary exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/herman-prijatelj.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Ljubljana:20250531T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Ljubljana:20261231T235900
DTSTAMP:20260416T013507
CREATED:20250626T125351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T095750Z
UID:10000053-1748649600-1798761540@www.muzej-nz-ce.si
SUMMARY:Living in Celje: story of everyday life of the town and its inhabitants in the 20th century
DESCRIPTION:Stalna razstava Živeti v Celju je svojevrsten spomenik mestu ob Savinji. Pripoveduje zgodbo o življenju mesta in njegovih prebivalcev v 20. stoletju ter prikazuje utrip minulega vsakdana in oživlja duh včerajšnjega sveta. \nV prvem delu lahko obiskovalci ob Dnevniku treh generacij sledijo kronološkemu pregledu zgodovine Celja in Celjanov v 20. stoletju; tu so v ospredju muzejski predmeti\, ki združeni v posamezne sklope ilustrirajo izbrane segmente zlasti kulturne\, socialne in vsakodnevne zgodovine mesta ter dopolnjujejo »dnevniške zapiske« predstavnikov treh različnih generacij\, ki so mesto doživljale vsaka ob svojem času in na svoj način. \nSledi sprehod skozi mesto\, kakršnega več ni: po Ulici obrtnikov mimo obrtnih lokalov in delavnic\, ki z občasnimi demonstracijami obrtnih mojstrov ponovno oživijo\, skozi Glavni trg mimo lekarne in meščanskega stanovanja po sledeh mestne promenade. \nZadnja razstavna soba razstave Živeti v Celju je posvečena delavkam in delavcem v celjski industriji\, njeni tradiciji\, delavskemu naselju Gaberje\, iz katerega je zraslo novo Celje 20. stoletja\, delavski \nThe permanent exhibition Living in Celje is a unique tribute to the city on the Savinja River. It tells story of everyday life of the town and its inhabitants in the 20th century and shows the rhythm of daily life in the past and revives the spirit of yesterday. \nOn the first floor\, where the »Journal of three generations« is exhibited\, visitors can follow the chronological overview of the history of Celje and its people in the 20th century; museum exhibits are grouped into individual subject matters which illustrate the selected segments of history and supplement the »journal notes« of representatives of three different generations. \nThis is followed by a walk through the town as is used to be: along a street of craftsmen and their workshops\, where occasional demonstrations bring crafts skills to life\, through the main square\, along the pharmacy and a middle-class apartment on the footsteps of the town promenade. \nThe final exhibition room is dedicated to Celje’s industrial workers and traditions\, to the workers’ settlement of Gaberje from which the new town grew in the 20th century\, to working class culture and work as fundamental value. \nFor visitors are available: \n\nGuided tours\nMuseum education hours\nHerman’s creative workshops\nCelebration of birthdays\nDemonstrations at the Street of craftsmen\nEvenings in the museum cafeteria\n\nuvertura / 1Snap Content\n \nGALLERY
URL:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/en/dogodek/living-in-celje-story-of-everyday-life-of-the-town-and-its-inhabitants-in-the-20th-century/
LOCATION:Muzej novejše zgodovine Celje\, Prešernova ulica 17\, Celje\, Slovenija\, 3000\, Slovenia
CATEGORIES:Permanent exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ziveti-v-celju-13.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Ljubljana:20250601T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Ljubljana:20261231T170000
DTSTAMP:20260416T013507
CREATED:20250703T111551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T095503Z
UID:10000054-1748764800-1798736400@www.muzej-nz-ce.si
SUMMARY:Children’s museum Herman’s den: a children’s museum and a space for children’s creativity
DESCRIPTION:Open: \nTuesday – Friday: 9 am – 5 pm \nSaturday: 9 am – 1 pm \nSunday: 2 pm – 6 pm \nSince 1995\, the only children’s museum in Slovenia has been operating within the Museum of Recent History Celje\, primarily aimed at children up to 12 years of age. Its symbol and mascot is Herman the Fox\, illustrated by artist Jelka Reichman. After 30 years of collaboration\, her work is now continued by academic painter Suzana Senica. The museum’s main goals are to raise awareness about the importance of preserving Slovenian and global cultural heritage\, foster a positive attitude toward history\, culture\, and heritage\, promote education for sustainable development\, and strengthen fundamental human values. Through various interactive approaches\, we present content that resonates with children. Only by combining historical and contemporary socially engaged themes can we help the youngest to understand the world better. \nSince its inception\, we have showcased 28 original and guest exhibitions\, and in 2014\, we launched the permanent exhibition Toy Den. After seven years\, we renovated the permanent display and presented a selection from our museum collections Children’s Life\, Good Toy\, and Herman’s Gallery\, complementing it with photographs by Josip Pelikan. \nThe Children’s Museum is visited and co-created by people of all ages\, making it a space for intergenerational gatherings and experiences. \nChildren’s Museum Herman’s Den collaborates with museums and other institutions both locally and globally. We have organized 31 traveling exhibitions for the youngest\, including eight abroad. The Children’s Museum is accessible to those with mobility impairments\, the blind and visually impaired\, for the deaf and hard-of-hearing groups\, and people with intellectual disabilities. The museum also serves as a Safe Point. \nVisitors can enjoy a collection of 21 games for the blind and visually impaired\, as well as polyhedral. \nFor visitors are available: \n\nGuided tours\nMuseum education hours\nHerman’s creative workshops\nCelebration of birthdays\nPlays at Herman’s Theatre and Musical Saturdays
URL:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/en/dogodek/childrens-museum-hermans-den-a-childrens-museum-and-a-space-for-childrens-creativity/
LOCATION:Otroški muzej Hermanov brlog\, Prešernova ulica 17\, 3000 Celje\, Slovenia
CATEGORIES:Permanent exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/herman-prijatelj.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251124
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20280101
DTSTAMP:20260416T013507
CREATED:20250626T123545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T123545Z
UID:10001786-1763942400-1830297599@www.muzej-nz-ce.si
SUMMARY:Stran pa ne bomo metal’: O pogubnih navadah in boljših praksah
DESCRIPTION:Stran pa ne bomo metal’Snap Content
URL:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/en/dogodek/stran-pa-ne-bomo-metal-o-pogubnih-navadah-in-boljsih-praksah/
LOCATION:Slovenija
CATEGORIES:Virtual Exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/stran-pa-ne-bomo-metal-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270101
DTSTAMP:20260416T013507
CREATED:20260215T105817Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T105817Z
UID:10000065-1767225600-1798761599@www.muzej-nz-ce.si
SUMMARY:Stari pisker: the memorial space for the victims of Nazi violence
DESCRIPTION:Open: \nTuesday – Saturday: 9 am – 1 pm \nUpon advance notification (at least 48 hours) the museum is exceptionally open out of the opening hours. \nThe Celje prison\, in folk tradition also known as “Stari pisker” (“Old Pot”)\, which is located on the site of the former Minorite Monastery\, goes back to the 19th century and is in the historical memory of the Slovenes\, and especially people from Celje and its surroundings\, closely linked to the darkest period of our not so distant past – German occupation during the World War II. At that time the occupier imprisoned here patriotic Slovenes\, antifascists\, members and supporters of the resistance movement. In 1941 and 1942\, in six separate mass executions that took place in courtyard\, 374 hostages of both sexes were shot without a trial. Nowadays permanent exhibition in the wartime torture room\, in the forefront of which is the 35 original farewell letters from the Celje area detained and imprisoned in prisons in Celje and Maribor in years 1941 and 1942\, together with the courtyard\, forms a separate museum unit dedicated to preserving the memory of the victims of Nazi violence. \nFor visitors are available: \nGuided tours\nMuseum education hours
URL:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/en/dogodek/stari-pisker-the-memorial-space-for-the-victims-of-nazi-violence/
LOCATION:Stari Pisker\, Prešernova ulica 20\, Celje\, 3000
CATEGORIES:Permanent exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/stari-pisker.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270101
DTSTAMP:20260416T013507
CREATED:20260215T104818Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T104934Z
UID:10000056-1767225600-1798761599@www.muzej-nz-ce.si
SUMMARY:Photo house Pelikan
DESCRIPTION:Razlagova Street 5\, Celje \nOPENING HOURS: \nPhoto house Pelikan can only be visited at previously announced times: \n\nevery Tuesday at 10 a.m.\, 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.\,\nevery Saturday at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.\,\nevery first Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.\n\nFor visiting Photo house Pelikan please call 00386 3 428 64 28 or send an email at informacijska@mnzc.si. \nGallery Božena is open from Tuesday to Friday between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and between 2 p.m and 4 p.m.To arrange a visit\, please call +386 3 428 64 28 or email informacijska@mnzc.si. \nFor announced groups\, the opening time is by agreement. \nIn 2024 Musuem of Recent History Celje received the ŽIVA special award for sustainability and the preservation of heritage for its work with Photo house Pelikan. \nIn 2025\, the Museum of Recent History Celje also received the Celje Star for 2024\, the highest recognition awarded by the Municipality of Celje for achievements in the field of culture\, for the restoration of the Photo house Pelikan.  \nAccording to the selection by the Valvasor Award Committee\, the Museum of Recent History Celje — with special emphasis on the museum complex of the Photo house Pelikan\, which “stands out not only on a national but also on a European level due to the exceptional preservation and presentation of cultural heritage” — has been awarded the title of Slovenian Museum of the Year 2025. \nA large house with a studio extension was built in 1899 by the renowned photographer from Celje Johann Martin Lenz (1864–1916). After World War I\, the house was bought by the master photographer Josip Pelikan (1885–1977)\, who lived and worked there with his family for almost six decades. Pelikan’s name became synonymous with photography in Celje and its surroundings\, and many younger photographers learned their craft in his studio. \nAfter his death\, Josip Pelikan’s inheritance was carefully curated by his two daughters\, especially the younger Božena\, who continued the family craft in the house and studio until the 1990s\, when it was gradually transferred to the care and protection of the Museum of Recent History Celje. Today\, the museum holds tens of thousands of photographs and glass plates\, cameras and photographic equipment\, a rich archive and documentation; however\, the greatest treasure is undoubtedly the two well-preserved studios with the accompanying range of photographic and technical equipment. \nThe older of the two\, the skylight photographic studio\, was built by Lenz and used by Pelikan before the Second World War and has been a unit of the Museum of Recent History Celje since 1997. It is the only such example of preserved cultural and technical heritage in Slovenia and one of the few in Europe. \nAfter the death of Mrs Božena Pelikan (1922–2016)\, the Museum of Recent History Celje assumed the management of the Pelikan family house\, including the existing museum unit (the glass studio)\, to the entire building\, which now comprises over 600 m2 of exhibition and working space. \nOn the ground floor is a perfectly preserved photographic studio built before the Second World War\, which was used first by the master and then by his daughter until the end of the 20th century. \nOn the first floor\, a family apartment is open for visitors\, featuring the middle-class lifestyle from the first half of the twentieth century. \nThe top floor of the building was converted from a former attic into a cabinet\, a multi-purpose space for professional work and various accompanying programmes\, meetings and events. \nThe basement is home to gallery Božena\, an exhibition space for the presentation and promotion of photographic heritage and contemporary photographic creativity and art\, both local and foreign. \nBy prior arrangement visitors are offered a unique opportunity of individual or group portrait photography in the old photographic technique. The experience of taking photos can be upgraded with costumes from the beginning of the 20th century\, and memories can also be donated – with gift coupons for artistic photography in a glass studio. \nPromo movie about Photo house Pelikan
URL:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/en/dogodek/photo-house-pelikan/
LOCATION:Fotohiša Pelikan\, Razlagova ulica 5\, 3000 Celje\, Slovenia
CATEGORIES:Permanent exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/fotoatelje-in-galerija-pelikan-home-slika-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270101
DTSTAMP:20260416T013507
CREATED:20260215T154310Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T154310Z
UID:10000064-1767225600-1798761599@www.muzej-nz-ce.si
SUMMARY:Dentistry collection: technical heritage of Slovenian dentistry
DESCRIPTION:Open: \nTuesday – Friday: 9 am – 5 pm \nSaturday: 9 am – 1 pm \nSunday: 2 pm – 6 pm \nDentistry collection is temporarily CLOSED until further notice! \nThe dentistry collection is unique in its contents: it exhibits old instruments and equipment that were used by Slovenian dentists\, dental surgeons and dental technicians in the 20th century. Over several decades\, Franc Štofla\, a dentist from Celje\, collected an extensive collection of items\, which bears witness to the development of dentistry. He donated the collection to the Museum of Recent History Celje in 1991\, for which he was awarded the prestigious Valvasor prize of the Slovenian Museum Association in 1997. The collection was conceived in order to secure and protect an exceptional part of our cultural heritage – the medical technical heritage that is otherwise not presented in Slovenian museums. We ensure the growth and development of the collection and present it to the public. \nFor visitors are available \nGuided tours\nMuseum education hours\nHerman’s creative workshops
URL:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/en/dogodek/dentistry-collection-technical-heritage-of-slovenian-dentistry/
LOCATION:Muzej novejše zgodovine Celje\, Prešernova ulica 17\, Celje\, Slovenija\, 3000\, Slovenia
CATEGORIES:Permanent exhibitions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Zobozdravstvena-zbirka-1-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260331
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260921
DTSTAMP:20260416T013507
CREATED:20260220T092127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T112955Z
UID:10000068-1774915200-1789948799@www.muzej-nz-ce.si
SUMMARY:Celje Is Singing: Jurče Vreže and the Youth Choral Festival
DESCRIPTION:The exhibition on the Youth Choral Festival\, prepared by the Museum of Recent History Celje\, offers an insight into an eighty-year story in which music\, youthful energy\, and dedicated professional work intertwine. The festival\, which began in 1946 as the Festival of Youth Song\, grew from a modest regional gathering into the oldest and most important international competition of youth choirs in Slovenia\, and one of the central cultural events of Celje. \nThe exhibition narrative begins with Jurče Vreže (1906–1987)\, a teacher\, conductor\, and visionary who recognized the unifying power of singing. Even before the Second World War\, he encouraged the establishment of youth choirs; after the war\, with remarkable energy\, he conceived a festival that would shape Slovenian and Yugoslav youth choral singing for decades. As the chief organizational secretary and the “driving force” of the MPF\, he oversaw its development until 1979\, while also fostering the professional growth of conductors\, encouraging composers to create new works\, and establishing an extensive festival library of youth choral literature. \nThe exhibition highlights the key milestones of the festival: from the first mass concerts\, featuring up to four thousand young singers\, to the introduction of competitive categories\, international juries\, and professional symposia. The MPF became a space for young singers to meet and connect\, an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge\, and a platform for the premiere performances of new compositions. Its accompanying activities – exhibitions of music literature\, seminars\, round tables\, and workshops – have significantly shaped and influenced the festival’s development. \nThe exhibition is both a look into the past and a tribute to the many singers\, conductors\, composers\, organizers\, and hospitable citizens of Celje who\, through their work and dedication\, have helped create one of the most remarkable traditions of Slovenian choral culture. \n  \nExhibition text translations \nJurče Vreže (1906–1987)\nVreže was born in the village of Bobovo near Šmarje pri Jelšah as the seventh of eight children. Due to modest social circumstances\, he would not have been able to pursue education if it had not been for his uncle\, Janez Krstnik Vreže\, a priest and professor at the teacher training college in Maribor. After completing the fifth grade of primary school in Šmarje\, Jurče moved to Maribor\, passed the entrance exams for the classical grammar school\, but later transferred to the teacher training college because of his interest in music. His uncle supported him and even personally provided him with the basics of musical education. Already in his second year\, Vreže composed the operetta The Blacksmith’s Student\, conducted the school choir\, and between 1924 and 1926 also led the school octet. He played the piano and violin and sang in the choir of Glasbena matica and the Mixed Choir of Maribor. \nHis first post was in Šoštanj (1926)\, where he immediately became a choirmaster. In 1928 he founded the choir Zvonček\, which\, alongside the Trbovlje Slavček choir\, became one of the best Slovenian youth choirs. The choir—composed of primary and lower secondary school pupils—sang in three parts\, which was rare at the time. Vreže was an important figure in the cultural life of Šoštanj; in 1936 he co-founded an illegal reading room together with his students. In addition to concerts\, he also staged plays (e.g. Hlapec Jernej\, Domen) and organized Slovene cultural evenings. \nBefore the war\, Vreže\, who held liberal views\, was closely connected with the working class in Šoštanj and led several choirs: the Workers’ Choir Ivan Cankar (1933–1935)\, Vzajemnost (1936–1938)\, Solidarnost (1939–1941)\, and the Šoštanj Octet. He was socially conscious; for example\, he used concert proceeds to take children to the seaside. In 1940 he was transferred to a modest rural school in Pečice (in the Brežice district)\, where he had no opportunities for choral work\, and later to Austria as a bank clerk\, where he remained until the end of the war. \nAfter the war\, following several transfers (in 1945 he worked as a teacher in Sv. Ema near Podčetrtek\, and a year later became head of the Home of Play and Work in Celje)\, he took a position in 1947 at the Second Lower Grammar School (later renamed the Third Primary School)\, where he founded a youth choir that would later rank among the best in the country. He worked there as a music educator until his retirement in 1968. In 1946\, he initiated the district youth choral festival in Celje\, which later had a significant impact on the development of youth choral singing in Slovenia and Yugoslavia. In the same year\, he also organized the first conducting seminar\, which later became a regular form of training for choir conductors. \nIn 1961 he became a pedagogical advisor and consultant for music education\, and at the same time began collecting youth music literature\, textbooks\, and manuals for music teaching\, bringing them together into a festival library. In addition to youth choirs\, Vreže also conducted several adult choirs\, including the Celje Choral Society\, which he led for ten years after Egon Kunej (1946–1956) and which was later renamed KUD France Prešeren\, ranking among the best choirs in the country. \nAlongside his dedication to music\, Vreže was also devoted to his family. In 1938\, in Šoštanj\, he married the teacher Leopoldina Kostanjec (1901–1952)\, and the following year their son Jurij (1939–1959) was born. In 1960 he married Zdenka Vrščaj (1923–2017)\, a singer in his choir ŽPD France Prešeren. The following year their daughter Nada was born\, who also sang in several choirs. Vreže was deeply involved in musical life and enjoyed socializing with musicians and conductors; he often hosted them at his second home at Sv. Rok above Šmarje pri Jelšah. \nJurče Vreže died on 18 December 1987 in Celje. \n  \nVreže’s Musical Work\nIn 1936\, Jurče Vreže\, together with Maks Pirnik\, Emil Ulaga\, Jože Zorn and others\, founded the Association of Youth Choir Conductors (DMPZ)\, initially based in Slovenske Konjice and later in Maribor\, and served as its president. The aim of the association was to promote youth choral conducting in schools\, cultivate contemporary music with social themes\, encourage singing culture\, organize choral reviews\, provide professional training for conductors\, and publish youth choral literature. The association organized reviews and small festivals and even planned a larger festival in Maribor\, though this remained unrealized at the time. It also published three issues of the journal Youth Choirs. This was the first systematic attempt to organize youth choral activity\, which Vreže continued immediately after the war with the Youth Choral Festival in Celje. \nVreže worked as a teacher until 1968\, while also serving as the chief organizational secretary and the driving force behind the Youth Choral Festival (MPF)\, a role he held until 1979. He implemented his vision of establishing choirs in schools\, organized choral reviews and conducting seminars\, encouraged composers to create new works\, and collected and edited youth choral literature. He also served as chairman of the music commission for youth choirs at the Association of Cultural Organizations of Slovenia. Even later\, he remained active\, continuing to shape the content and form of the festival and overseeing the festival’s youth choral library. From 1972 onwards\, he also led the Concert Agency in Celje\, which\, through subscription series\, provided a rich programme of musical events\, excursions to Ljubljana and Zagreb\, and numerous events for young audiences. \nFor his extensive and multifaceted work\, Jurče Vreže—considered a founding figure of Slovenian youth choral conducting—received numerous awards and recognitions. Among the most important were: the Award of the District Council of Cultural and Educational Societies of Celje (1959)\, the Order of Labour with Silver Wreath (1972)\, the recognition of the Music Youth of Slovenia (1975)\, the highest recognition of the Music Youth of Yugoslavia (1976)\, the Šlander Award of the City of Celje (1976)\, honorary membership in the Association of Music Pedagogues of Yugoslavia (1979)\, the Prešeren Award of the Cultural Community of Celje (1980)\, the Žagar Award (1982)\, and the Coat of Arms of the City of Celje (1986). \nAfter his death (1987)\, the organizing committee of the Youth Choral Festival decided in 1989 to honour his memory by establishing an award named after him for the best youth choral composition\, but the idea was not realized at the time. This long-standing intention is finally being fulfilled at the 37th Youth Choral Festival in 2026\, marking the 120th anniversary of Vreže’s birth\, the 100th anniversary of the beginning of his professional career\, and the 80th anniversary of the Youth Choral Festival. The Jurče Vreže Award is awarded to the best choir of the competition. \n  \n(International) Youth Choral Festival Celje\nThe Youth Choral Festival Celje (MPF) is the oldest and most prominent international competition for youth choirs in Slovenia; it can be ranked alongside festivals in Nantes (France)\, Neerpelt (Belgium)\, Olomouc (Czech Republic)\, and Arezzo (Italy). It is also one of Celje’s most distinguished cultural events. The festival began in 1946 as a large gathering of district youth choirs; its initiator and long-time co-organizer was Jurče Vreže\, who led the festival until 1979\, when its organization was taken over by the Institute for Cultural Events Celje. Today\, the main organizer is the public institute Zavod Celeia Celje. \nFrom its early years\, the festival had a strong impact on the development of youth choral singing in Slovenia and the former Yugoslavia. It hosted the best Slovenian and Yugoslav choirs\, as well as numerous international ensembles. For decades\, the MPF functioned as a competitive event\, distinguished by its mass performances of young singers. Beyond competition\, however\, it has always fostered other important dimensions: bringing young people together\, presenting achievements in choral singing\, and encouraging intercultural exchange. Over its 80-year history\, the festival has evolved through various stages—from regional to national\, federal\, international\, and again national and international\, alternating over time. \nThroughout this period\, the festival has involved numerous organizers\, conductors\, and jury members (including Jurče Vreže\, Andrej Svetek\, Dr Emil Rojc\, Egon Kunej\, Boris Ferlinc\, Pavel Bukovac\, Edvard Goršič\, Branko Rajšter\, Danijel Grum\, MA Vid Marcen\, Ciril Vertačnik\, Dr Dragica Žvar\, as well as Nenad Firšt\, David Preložnik\, Gregor Deleja\, among many others)\, and composers (such as Blaž Arnič\, Karol Pahor\, Rado Simoniti\, Peter Lipar\, Makso Pirnik\, Radovan Gobec\, Slavko Mihelčič\, Pavel Šivic\, Ubald Vrabec\, Jakob Jež\, and others). There are simply too many contributors to name them all—especially when considering the many members of organizing committees (responsible for transport\, accommodation\, catering\, concert management\, etc.) and the numerous families in Celje who\, for many years\, warmly hosted singers from other regions and countries. \nSpecial mention should also be made of the work of the music committees\, long led by Egon Kunej\, which spent two years preparing each festival cycle (issuing calls\, reviewing applications\, selecting participating choirs). During the festival itself\, an important role was played by (international) expert juries composed of distinguished conductors and musicologists. Since 1997\, Slovenian jury members have included\, among others\, Edvard Goršič\, Tomaž Faganel\, Jernej Habjanič\, Damijan Močnik\, Dr Dragica Žvar\, Martina Batič\, Helena Fojkar Zupančič\, and Sebastjan Vrhovnik. \nThrough the Youth Choral Festival\, Celje has established itself on the musical map as one of the capitals of choral singing in Slovenia\, Europe\, and beyond. With its long-standing tradition\, international character\, and rich accompanying programme\, the festival remains a key pillar of Slovenian choral culture and an important contributor to the European cultural space. \n  \nDevelopment of the Festival\nIn 1960\, the festival outgrew its local framework and became a republic-level event\, featuring selected Slovenian youth choirs as well as choirs from other parts of Yugoslavia and neighbouring regions. From 1963 onwards\, the festival was held biennially\, accompanied by regular parallel activities. The MPF acquired a competitive character in 1965\, when competitions were introduced in four categories\, with compulsory repertoire and awards. In 1973\, it became an international competition\, as foreign choirs were included in the competitive programme for the first time. \nDuring the 1970s and 1980s\, the MPF was the central choral event in Yugoslavia: mass concerts in the City Park brought together between 2\,000 and 3\,000 singers\, and the festival attracted some of the most distinguished youth choirs from home and abroad. The eighty-year history of the festival is inseparably linked with outstanding individuals whose professional work has shaped—and continues to shape—its artistic profile in the field of youth choral singing. The organization of the festival has always included (federal and international) music committees and juries\, which play a particularly important role in its competitive segment. \nAccompanying Activities\nFrom the very first conducting seminar and singing school in 1946 onwards\, the festival developed a rich range of professional accompanying activities: \n\ninternational exhibitions of youth and pedagogical music literature\,\nconferences of music educators on teaching and learning\,\nround tables and music workshops\,\ncompetitions for new youth choral compositions and the publication of the special series Youth Choirs. By 1981\, as many as 14 volumes of youth music literature had been published.\n\nOccasionally\, the festival also featured premiere performances of works by Slovenian composers. \nThe 1990s and a Turning Point\nIn the 1990s\, the festival took place in changed social and political circumstances. In 1991\, it was cancelled due to political instability\, while the following year a substitute festival was आयोजित\, dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the death of Iacobus Gallus. Gradually\, the festival regained its international character\, although with fewer participants. In 1995\, new awards were introduced (Audience Award\, Best Slovenian Choir\, Award for the Performance of Contemporary Music)\, as well as a competition for children’s choirs. \nIn the late 1990s and after 2000\, further organizational changes followed: choirs from Central Europe returned to Celje\, new concert formats emerged\, and additional accompanying events were introduced (e.g. Pesemca\, Night of Slovenian Composers\, Celje Musical Walks). Mass concerts remained a symbolic constant\, although after 2005 they moved from the City Park to other venues (Celje Hall\, Narodni dom\, Celje Castle). \nThroughout its history\, the Municipality of Celje has played an important role as a supporter and partner\, often acting as co-organizer or co-financer. The festival has traditionally enjoyed honorary patronage from national and local representatives (such as the President of the Republic of Slovenia\, the Ministry of Culture\, and the Mayor of Celje). \nIn the New Century\nSince 2005\, the festival has been organized by the Institute for Cultural Events and Tourism Celeia Celje. It has remained international and thematically diverse\, although somewhat smaller in scale after 2010. In 2020\, the festival was cancelled due to the pandemic\, while in 2022 a national edition was held\, dedicated to the composer Jakob Jež. \nA significant milestone came in 2024\, when the festival became the host of the biennial national competition of youth choirs (in cooperation with the Public Fund for Cultural Activities)\, while the national competition of children’s choirs remains in Zagorje ob Savi. \nThe Contemporary Festival\nIn recent years\, the festival has been strengthening again: in 2025\, the MPF hosted 522 singers from six countries\, while the mass event Choir BUM brought together 5\,100 singers in the Zlatorog Hall. The festival thus remains a central platform for meeting\, competition\, and professional development of youth choirs from Slovenia and abroad.
URL:https://www.muzej-nz-ce.si/en/dogodek/celje-is-singing/
LOCATION:Muzej novejše zgodovine Celje\, Prešernova ulica 17\, Celje\, Slovenija\, 3000\, Slovenia
CATEGORIES:Temporary exhibitions
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