Juggling, Berber Dance, Open City, Rollerblades, and Smart Devices
As the title suggests, this year's Front@ International Dance Festival is distinguished by an exceptionally diverse programme and a wide range of ways in which the richness of contemporary dance – and related artistic practices and events – is presented.
While recent editions of the festival have been characterised by a strong conceptual focus, this year's programme could be summed up by the well-worn phrase: something for everyone. And there is nothing wrong with that. Hidden behind this familiar expression is an extraordinary diversity of artistic approaches, presentation formats, venues, and audiences, each event speaking to its own public. Each year's "harvest" is different, with its own distinctive character and composition that shape its particular "flavour". Although conventional wisdom tells us that there is no accounting for taste, Front@ was created precisely so that, here in Murska Sobota, we can once again talk about the many different "flavours" that exist far beyond the ordinary.
Introduction day. As on several previous occasions, the festival gets underway even before its official opening. This time, the action unfolds in the heart of the city, on Slovenska Street, with a dance intervention choreographed by Sofia Mavragani. The performance features the En–Knap Group, joined by members of the Contemporary Dance Association Slovenia. Its title perfectly captures what audiences can expect: Magnificent Epic Wet.
Opening day will also get underway on Slovenska Street with the playful juggling-and-dance performance You Too Can Tutu, created for audiences of all ages. An afternoon performance has also been arranged in front of the local retirement home, giving its residents – perhaps accompanied by their grandchildren – the opportunity to experience a taste of the festival's vibrant atmosphere. The programme will then move to the Castle Plateau for Cheb in Situ by the Filipe Lourenço Company, a hypnotic performance accompanied by live psychedelic rock music. Later that evening, the company will officially open the festival at the Park Theatre with Amazigh in Situ, a captivating fusion of contemporary and traditional Berber dance. Earlier that same evening, audiences will also have the opportunity to experience an exceptional solo by dancer and choreographer Vasiliki Papapostolou, whose Panopticon masterfully blends contemporary dance, physical theatre and hip-hop.
Second day is devoted almost entirely to the period when dancers transition out of their performing careers. The programme centres on Goran Turnšek's portrait photography exhibition Dancers in New Occupations, which opens that evening at the Murska Sobota Gallery.
The afternoon begins with a panel discussion exploring the experiences and challenges of retiring from a career in dance, as well as the possibilities of pursuing new professional paths. Representatives of trade unions, professional and non-governmental cultural organisations, relevant ministries and other public bodies responsible for employment and pensions, together with all those interested in the topic, are warmly invited to attend. Although the discussion has a professional and academic focus, it is open to everyone with an interest in the subject.
For the wider public, we especially recommend the conversation with Mateja Rebolj and Mateja Bučar, both recipients of the Prešeren Award and the Ksenija Hribar Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Contemporary Dance Association Slovenia. They will reflect on their personal experiences as they reached the later stages of their professional dance careers. The evening continues with the opening of Goran Turnšek's photography exhibition, accompanied by a special presentation of Vulneri, a dance work by Anemaria Klajnšček that will come to life within the gallery as a living sculpture. The day concludes with a screening of Share by Borut Bučinel. The documentary highlights the importance of community while offering an insight into artistic and cultural creation under very different circumstances – a collaboration spanning Palestine, Europe and parts of Africa.
Third day gets underway at the Castle Plateau with Open City, one of the festival's well-established programme sections. This year, it presents four outstanding short dance works selected through an international open call that attracted applications from 43 artists from around the world. Opus Dance Company explores an unconventional movement language in Adsurbe; Attractio Project examines the interdependence of two bodies in Attractio; and Slippery Art Project glide through Entanglement on rollerblades. After moving to the Duša Škof Hall, the programme concludes with the exceptionally dynamic male duet Konpira Fune Fune, performed by Collettivo Dieci.
The day draws to a close at the Park Theatre with the distinctive performance Wetware. Its subtitle, A Dance Stand-up, hints at a hybrid work in which Jan Rozman uses humour to reflect on the human body as though it were a collection of misaligned smart devices.
Final day begins at the Castle Plateau with performances by emerging dance makers: Lina Golihleb and Živa Ćurčić, Naomi Uma Zorman, Brina Miholič and Ana Borovičanin, and Varja Golec Horvat. After moving to the Duša Škof Hall, the programme continues with Helena Alemany Ortiz, Iza Teršek and Tinkara Plos. All of these artists were selected at the OPUS 1 competition in Celje during the 2025/26 season. The 21st Front@ International Dance Festival concludes at the Park Theatre with a double bill that celebrates the remarkable diversity of contemporary dance. The duo Fabla, who delighted Front@ audiences last year, return with Kūkan, a new contemporary circus and dance performance created in collaboration with the exceptional music ensemble Zhlehtet. Jacopo Jenna's dance trio Manifestus, meanwhile, draws inspiration from hip-hop, captivating audiences with a distinctive and sincere poetic vision that shines without relying on spectacle.
As with every edition of Front@, the performances will be followed by artist talks, offering audiences deeper insight into the featured works and the artistic journeys of our guest artists. We have not forgotten the more informal opportunities to meet and socialise with the artists and the festival team. This year, these gatherings will once again be soundtracked by DJ Obito's mixes.
This year's edition of the festival is taking place under highly uncertain funding conditions. Front@ has weathered difficult times before, more than once. The simplistic comments that have emerged in the current situation – suggesting that we should simply "find another hobby" – bring us back to the ideas expressed at the beginning of this introduction. Front@ was created precisely to bring different "flavours" together and, above all, to ensure that audiences outside the major cultural centres have the opportunity to experience an event born of genuine professional commitment, grounded in knowledge, experience and a deep sense of responsibility towards its audience –
especially the local community. It exists to give that audience the same opportunity to discover, compare and choose as audiences in larger cities.
We are also keeping a close eye on the weather, which often lives up to the festival's name during Front@. Should the weather take a turn for the worse, alternative indoor venues have been arranged for all outdoor events.
A warm welcome to the 21st Front@ Festival!
Matjaž Farič Artistic Director
As the title suggests, this year's Front@ International Dance Festival is distinguished by an exceptionally diverse programme and a wide range of ways in which the richness of contemporary dance – and related artistic practices and events – is presented.
While recent editions of the festival have been characterised by a strong conceptual focus, this year's programme could be summed up by the well-worn phrase: something for everyone. And there is nothing wrong with that. Hidden behind this familiar expression is an extraordinary diversity of artistic approaches, presentation formats, venues, and audiences, each event speaking to its own public. Each year's "harvest" is different, with its own distinctive character and composition that shape its particular "flavour". Although conventional wisdom tells us that there is no accounting for taste, Front@ was created precisely so that, here in Murska Sobota, we can once again talk about the many different "flavours" that exist far beyond the ordinary.
Introduction day. As on several previous occasions, the festival gets underway even before its official opening. This time, the action unfolds in the heart of the city, on Slovenska Street, with a dance intervention choreographed by Sofia Mavragani. The performance features the En–Knap Group, joined by members of the Contemporary Dance Association Slovenia. Its title perfectly captures what audiences can expect: Magnificent Epic Wet.
Opening day will also get underway on Slovenska Street with the playful juggling-and-dance performance You Too Can Tutu, created for audiences of all ages. An afternoon performance has also been arranged in front of the local retirement home, giving its residents – perhaps accompanied by their grandchildren – the opportunity to experience a taste of the festival's vibrant atmosphere. The programme will then move to the Castle Plateau for Cheb in Situ by the Filipe Lourenço Company, a hypnotic performance accompanied by live psychedelic rock music. Later that evening, the company will officially open the festival at the Park Theatre with Amazigh in Situ, a captivating fusion of contemporary and traditional Berber dance. Earlier that same evening, audiences will also have the opportunity to experience an exceptional solo by dancer and choreographer Vasiliki Papapostolou, whose Panopticon masterfully blends contemporary dance, physical theatre and hip-hop.
Second day is devoted almost entirely to the period when dancers transition out of their performing careers. The programme centres on Goran Turnšek's portrait photography exhibition Dancers in New Occupations, which opens that evening at the Murska Sobota Gallery.
The afternoon begins with a panel discussion exploring the experiences and challenges of retiring from a career in dance, as well as the possibilities of pursuing new professional paths. Representatives of trade unions, professional and non-governmental cultural organisations, relevant ministries and other public bodies responsible for employment and pensions, together with all those interested in the topic, are warmly invited to attend. Although the discussion has a professional and academic focus, it is open to everyone with an interest in the subject.
For the wider public, we especially recommend the conversation with Mateja Rebolj and Mateja Bučar, both recipients of the Prešeren Award and the Ksenija Hribar Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Contemporary Dance Association Slovenia. They will reflect on their personal experiences as they reached the later stages of their professional dance careers. The evening continues with the opening of Goran Turnšek's photography exhibition, accompanied by a special presentation of Vulneri, a dance work by Anemaria Klajnšček that will come to life within the gallery as a living sculpture. The day concludes with a screening of Share by Borut Bučinel. The documentary highlights the importance of community while offering an insight into artistic and cultural creation under very different circumstances – a collaboration spanning Palestine, Europe and parts of Africa.
Third day gets underway at the Castle Plateau with Open City, one of the festival's well-established programme sections. This year, it presents four outstanding short dance works selected through an international open call that attracted applications from 43 artists from around the world. Opus Dance Company explores an unconventional movement language in Adsurbe; Attractio Project examines the interdependence of two bodies in Attractio; and Slippery Art Project glide through Entanglement on rollerblades. After moving to the Duša Škof Hall, the programme concludes with the exceptionally dynamic male duet Konpira Fune Fune, performed by Collettivo Dieci.
The day draws to a close at the Park Theatre with the distinctive performance Wetware. Its subtitle, A Dance Stand-up, hints at a hybrid work in which Jan Rozman uses humour to reflect on the human body as though it were a collection of misaligned smart devices.
Final day begins at the Castle Plateau with performances by emerging dance makers: Lina Golihleb and Živa Ćurčić, Naomi Uma Zorman, Brina Miholič and Ana Borovičanin, and Varja Golec Horvat. After moving to the Duša Škof Hall, the programme continues with Helena Alemany Ortiz, Iza Teršek and Tinkara Plos. All of these artists were selected at the OPUS 1 competition in Celje during the 2025/26 season. The 21st Front@ International Dance Festival concludes at the Park Theatre with a double bill that celebrates the remarkable diversity of contemporary dance. The duo Fabla, who delighted Front@ audiences last year, return with Kūkan, a new contemporary circus and dance performance created in collaboration with the exceptional music ensemble Zhlehtet. Jacopo Jenna's dance trio Manifestus, meanwhile, draws inspiration from hip-hop, captivating audiences with a distinctive and sincere poetic vision that shines without relying on spectacle.
As with every edition of Front@, the performances will be followed by artist talks, offering audiences deeper insight into the featured works and the artistic journeys of our guest artists. We have not forgotten the more informal opportunities to meet and socialise with the artists and the festival team. This year, these gatherings will once again be soundtracked by DJ Obito's mixes.
This year's edition of the festival is taking place under highly uncertain funding conditions. Front@ has weathered difficult times before, more than once. The simplistic comments that have emerged in the current situation – suggesting that we should simply "find another hobby" – bring us back to the ideas expressed at the beginning of this introduction. Front@ was created precisely to bring different "flavours" together and, above all, to ensure that audiences outside the major cultural centres have the opportunity to experience an event born of genuine professional commitment, grounded in knowledge, experience and a deep sense of responsibility towards its audience –
especially the local community. It exists to give that audience the same opportunity to discover, compare and choose as audiences in larger cities.
We are also keeping a close eye on the weather, which often lives up to the festival's name during Front@. Should the weather take a turn for the worse, alternative indoor venues have been arranged for all outdoor events.
A warm welcome to the 21st Front@ Festival!
Matjaž Farič Artistic Director
Tuesday, August 25 – INTRODUCTION
18:00, Slovenska Street
En–Knap & Association for Contemporary Dance Slovenia & Sofia Mavragani (GR/SI): GLORIOUS EPIC WET – Outdoor performance (35’)
_______________________
Wednesday, August 26
10:00, Slovenska Street
(in case of rain in Duša Škof Hall)
Gandini Juggling (UK): YOU TOO CAN TUTU (20’)
17:00, In front of the Murska Sobota Elderly Care Home
(in case of rain in Duša Škof Hall)
Gandini Juggling (UK): YOU TOO CAN TUTU (20’)
19:00, Castle Plateau
(in case of rain in MiKK)
Compagnie Filipe Lourenço / Plan-K (PT/FR): CHEB IN SITU (30’)
20:30, Park Theatre
Vasiliki Papapostolou / Tarantism (GR): PANOPTICON (26’)
Compagnie Filipe Lourenço / Plan-K (PT/FR): AMAZIGH IN SITU (30’)
Artist talk in the Park Theatre foyer
_______________________
Thursday, August 27
16:00, Murska Sobota Gallery
Panel Discussion: Professional Aspects of Aging for Dance Artists (90’)
Participants: Association for Contemporary Dance Slovenia, Asociacija, Glosa and Zasuk trade unions …
18:00, Murska Sobota Gallery
In Conversation with Mateja Bučar and Mateja Rebolj, recipients of the Prešeren Fund Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Contemporary Dance Slovenia (60’)
19:00, Murska Sobota Gallery
Goran Turnšek (SI/NL): TRANSITION IN MOTION – DANCERS IN NEW CAREERS (Opening of the photography exhibition)
Anamaria Klajnšček (SI): VULNERI (30’)
Artist talk at the Murska Sobota Gallery
21:00, Castle Yard
(in case of rain in MiKK)
Borut Bučinel, Exodos Ljubljana (SI): SHARE (Film, 70’)
Artist talk on site
22:30, MiKK
DJ Obito (SI)
_______________________
Friday, August 28
18:00, Castle Plateau
(in case of rain in the old gym of Primary School I)
Open City: Selected Dance Miniatures
Oups Dance Company (FR): ADSURBE (11’)
Matilde Casini & Paula Sanchez – Attractio Project (ES): ATTRACTIO (20’)
Oktawia Scibior & Samory Ba – Slippery Art Project (FR): ENTANGLEMENT (12’)
⇢ ⇢ Relocation to Duša Škof Hall
Anna Pesetti – Collettivo Dieci (IT): KONPIRA FUNE FUNE (20’)
Artist talk
21:00, Park Theatre
Jan Rozman (SI): WETWARE – A dance “stand-up"
Artist talk in the Park Theatre foyer
22:30, MiKK
DJ Obito (SI)
_______________________
Saturday, August 29
18:00, Castle Plateau
(in case of rain in Duša Škof Hall)
OPUS 1: Award-winning miniatures by young dance artists
INSIDE OUT (4’) – Lina Golihleb & Živa Ćurčić (SI), TBA Dance Association; Mentor: Patricija Crnkovič
FIVE CENTIMETERS ABOVE THE GROUND (7’) – Naomi Uma Zorman (SI/AT)
24,000 JUMPS (4’) – Brina Miholič & Ana Borovičanin (SI), Plesni Epicenter; Mentor: Sabina Schwenner
A body-diary of an emerging being who thinks about intuition, angels and much more… self (4’) – Varja Golec Horvat (SI); Mentor: Petja Golec Horvat
FLOWER SELLERS (4’) – Đurđina Ivanković & Barbara Vlajković (RS), "Lujo Davičo" Ballet High School; Mentor: Ana Ignjatović-Zagorac
⇢ ⇢ Relocation to Duša Škof Hall
Helena Alemany Ortiz (ES): AMPARO (10’)
Iza Teršek (SI), SVŠGUGL: BODYLESS (7’); Mentor: Leon Marič
Tinkara Plos (SI), Plesonoga Cultural and Educational Association: BALKAN (7’); Mentor: Jelena Oleami
Artist talk
20:30, Park Theatre
Fabla (SI): KŪKAN (45’)
Jacopo Jenna (IT): MANIFESTUS (40’)
Artist talk in the Park Theatre foyer
22:30, MiKK
DJ Obito (SI)
18:00, Slovenska Street
En–Knap & Association for Contemporary Dance Slovenia & Sofia Mavragani (GR/SI): GLORIOUS EPIC WET – Outdoor performance (35’)
_______________________
Wednesday, August 26
10:00, Slovenska Street
(in case of rain in Duša Škof Hall)
Gandini Juggling (UK): YOU TOO CAN TUTU (20’)
17:00, In front of the Murska Sobota Elderly Care Home
(in case of rain in Duša Škof Hall)
Gandini Juggling (UK): YOU TOO CAN TUTU (20’)
19:00, Castle Plateau
(in case of rain in MiKK)
Compagnie Filipe Lourenço / Plan-K (PT/FR): CHEB IN SITU (30’)
20:30, Park Theatre
Vasiliki Papapostolou / Tarantism (GR): PANOPTICON (26’)
Compagnie Filipe Lourenço / Plan-K (PT/FR): AMAZIGH IN SITU (30’)
Artist talk in the Park Theatre foyer
_______________________
Thursday, August 27
16:00, Murska Sobota Gallery
Panel Discussion: Professional Aspects of Aging for Dance Artists (90’)
Participants: Association for Contemporary Dance Slovenia, Asociacija, Glosa and Zasuk trade unions …
18:00, Murska Sobota Gallery
In Conversation with Mateja Bučar and Mateja Rebolj, recipients of the Prešeren Fund Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Contemporary Dance Slovenia (60’)
19:00, Murska Sobota Gallery
Goran Turnšek (SI/NL): TRANSITION IN MOTION – DANCERS IN NEW CAREERS (Opening of the photography exhibition)
Anamaria Klajnšček (SI): VULNERI (30’)
Artist talk at the Murska Sobota Gallery
21:00, Castle Yard
(in case of rain in MiKK)
Borut Bučinel, Exodos Ljubljana (SI): SHARE (Film, 70’)
Artist talk on site
22:30, MiKK
DJ Obito (SI)
_______________________
Friday, August 28
18:00, Castle Plateau
(in case of rain in the old gym of Primary School I)
Open City: Selected Dance Miniatures
Oups Dance Company (FR): ADSURBE (11’)
Matilde Casini & Paula Sanchez – Attractio Project (ES): ATTRACTIO (20’)
Oktawia Scibior & Samory Ba – Slippery Art Project (FR): ENTANGLEMENT (12’)
⇢ ⇢ Relocation to Duša Škof Hall
Anna Pesetti – Collettivo Dieci (IT): KONPIRA FUNE FUNE (20’)
Artist talk
21:00, Park Theatre
Jan Rozman (SI): WETWARE – A dance “stand-up"
Artist talk in the Park Theatre foyer
22:30, MiKK
DJ Obito (SI)
_______________________
Saturday, August 29
18:00, Castle Plateau
(in case of rain in Duša Škof Hall)
OPUS 1: Award-winning miniatures by young dance artists
INSIDE OUT (4’) – Lina Golihleb & Živa Ćurčić (SI), TBA Dance Association; Mentor: Patricija Crnkovič
FIVE CENTIMETERS ABOVE THE GROUND (7’) – Naomi Uma Zorman (SI/AT)
24,000 JUMPS (4’) – Brina Miholič & Ana Borovičanin (SI), Plesni Epicenter; Mentor: Sabina Schwenner
A body-diary of an emerging being who thinks about intuition, angels and much more… self (4’) – Varja Golec Horvat (SI); Mentor: Petja Golec Horvat
FLOWER SELLERS (4’) – Đurđina Ivanković & Barbara Vlajković (RS), "Lujo Davičo" Ballet High School; Mentor: Ana Ignjatović-Zagorac
⇢ ⇢ Relocation to Duša Škof Hall
Helena Alemany Ortiz (ES): AMPARO (10’)
Iza Teršek (SI), SVŠGUGL: BODYLESS (7’); Mentor: Leon Marič
Tinkara Plos (SI), Plesonoga Cultural and Educational Association: BALKAN (7’); Mentor: Jelena Oleami
Artist talk
20:30, Park Theatre
Fabla (SI): KŪKAN (45’)
Jacopo Jenna (IT): MANIFESTUS (40’)
Artist talk in the Park Theatre foyer
22:30, MiKK
DJ Obito (SI)