Maribor Theatre Festival

The Maribor Theatre Festival is the main Slovenian theatre festival, which has been enriching the Slovenian theatre and cultural space for more than half a century. It takes place in the first half of June at the Slovenian National Theatre in Maribor. The programme includes a selection of performances by Slovenian institutional and non-governmental producers in a competitive and accompanying programme, invited theatre performances from abroad, training, workshops and audience development activities, student theatre and professional events in cooperation with Slovenian and foreign co-organisers. It usually lasts for 14 days and is attended by numerous national and international guests, including foreign festival selectors, artistic and programme directors, journalists and other interested and professional public. 

The festival is financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the Municipality of Maribor and is independently managed by the artistic director Aleš Novak. The festival also awards the most prestigious Slovenian theatre prizes, including the Borštnik Ring for lifetime achievement. It serves as a key platform for artistic exchange, critical reflection, and promotion of theatre excellence in the Slovenian and wider European cultural space.