Big Band RTV Slovenija will host Carmen Bradford, a unique and remarkable artist who was just recently honored with another Grammy Award for the "Best Large Jazz Ensemble" as a vocalist with the Count Basie Orchestra, just a couple of weeks ago! Don’t miss this unique chance to hear this amazing artist performing live with the Big Band RTV Slovenija under the artistic guidance of Austrian conductor Sigi Feigl in Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana. 

Carmen was discovered and hired by William "Count" Basie at the age of 22 years old and was the featured vocalist in the legendary Count Basie Orchestra for nine years. She has since performed and/or recorded with Wynton Marsalis, John Clayton, along with the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Frank Sinatra, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and countless other artists around the world. 

Carmen performed on two Grammy Award-winning albums with the Count Basie Orchestra in the 1980s and later collaborated on a third Grammy Award-winning album, "Big Boss Band," with guitarist George Benson in 1991. Carmen Bradford's 2004 release, "Home With You" (Azica Records), is a warm and beautiful collection of vocal and piano duets with jazz great Shelly Berg. The album is yet another departure for Carmen, offering her fans a stripped-down, intimate portrait of the artist they have grown to love. Carmen Bradford returned to her big band roots with the release from "Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra" featured on 'Live from Jazz At Lincoln Centers Dizzy's Place." This also brought Carmen back to her big band family, The Count Basie Orchestra, which she continues to tour with to this day. Carmen Bradford has never stopped performing with her Basie family, the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra. Even after all these years, Carmen has always said, "when they call me, I go." She has never forgotten Mr. Basie, who opened that wonderful door and gave her wings. The 2019 Grammy-nominated album, "All About That Basie" with the Count Basie conducted by Scotty Barnhart on Concord Records, featuring Carmen Bradford, Stevie Wonder, Take 6, among several others - it just doesn't get any better than this. 

Carmen Bradford's body of work reflects a vast depth of musical experience and technical brilliance. She is also recognized for the overwhelming passion she brings to the lyric. Carmen Bradford has truly contributed to the perpetuation and preservation of this great American art form called jazz and continues to do so.
 

Time Shelter is the third novel by the Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov whose second novel, The Physics of Sorrow, captivated Slovenian audiences at the 2015 Fabula Festival. Published in 2020 and translated into 16 languages, Time Shelter won the Bulgarian Book of the Year Award (2021) and landed on the New Yorker's list of “Best Books of 2022 So Far”. The novel's protagonist is a mysterious therapist Gaustine, jumping back and forth in time. After vanishing for a brief spell, he reappears in Zurich. Gaustine opens a “clinic for the past” that offers a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s sufferers by recreating the pasts in which they felt most secure: each floor reproduces a decade in minute detail. But, as the rooms become more convincing, an increasing number of healthy people seek out the clinic as a “time shelter”. This development results in an unexpected conundrum when the past begins to invade the present. Switching between different narrative levels, this brilliant satire on humanity addresses the question of how to live with a critical lack of future. An extravagant and brilliantly written novel that once again testifies to Gospodinov's writing skill.

The novel has been translated by Borut Omerzel.

Bulgarian writer, poet and playwright Georgi Gospodinov (born in 1968 in Yambol) is one of the most prominent European voices and the most translated Bulgarian writer since the fall of communism. His first novel, Natural Novel (1999; Slovenian translation 2005) has been translated into more than 20 languages. His critically acclaimed novel The Physics of Sorrow (2011; Slovenian translation 2015) won the Bulgarian Book of the Year Award (2021) and was shortlisted for seven prizes. The first Bulgarian author to win the International Booker's Prize, Gospodinov also writes poetry and plays, and has authored a graphic novel, several books of short stories and an opera libretto. Blind Vaysha, an animated short film adapted from Gospodinov’s philosophical short story, was shortlisted for the 2017 Oscar Awards. He lives wherever his books take him.

The concept of distance is intrinsic and very familiar to modern society. It could be social and physical distance, or individuals’ distancing on physical, and consequently social, mental and spiritual levels. The modern way of life and the implementation of digital technology decrease between people and render it more meagre and formalised. Modern inventions that improve human life definitely work, but at the same time interfere with the millennia-old ways of life, natural patterns of existence, biological rhythms, social life of humans and thus threaten the humans’ physical and mental health. Distance, which during the recent covid era acquired very particular dimensions, further deepened the split between people, alienation, individualism, and individuals’ distance from themselves – all things that were already present in modern society. At the same time, it accelerated the development of digitalisation of the society, and artificial intelligence. And it is the latter, recently in explosive expansion, that opens new possibilities for technological advancement of humanity, while at the same time amplifying the most dangerous distance of all – the distance from reality, a reality that humans as social animals need so very badly.

The topical dance production does not distance itself from the burning social issues and uses dance to intervene in the essence of human existence – closeness. The closeness of the body, the fellow human, the co-creator, the world and the planet on which we live. The international cast of the MN Dance Company in coproduction with the SNT Nova Gorica will contribute to connecting and gathering, overcoming any kind of distance, which is also the motto of the EPK 2025.

The concert where the children's imagination from Lila Primary School transforms into orchestral arrangements, curated by Martin Jošt, and stories that can only be told through magical music. The imprint of modern times through children's eyes under the creative leadership of Kristijan Crnica - Kikifly, along with his musical friends, including appearances by Alenka Godec, Saša Lešnjek, Regina, Tinkara Kovač, Vili Resnik, BePop ladies, and others. The event will be hosted by actress Mojca Fatur, with production credits going to director Urška Žnideršič, music producer Janez Križaj, and event producer Maja Monrue, in collaboration with the management of Lila Primary School Ljubljana.

It has been three decades since Alen Ožbolt took over designing the Problemi magazine and the Analecta book collection. 34 years and about 280 headlines – an imposing output and one virtually unparalleled in the publishing industry. Thirty years of book covers, designs all sharing the same starting point, but each and every one singularly unique, and nearly all alluding to the content with great subtlety. The inspiration behind the design concept was the famous quote from Hegel: “When philosophy paints its gray on gray then has a form of life grown old, and with gray on gray it cannot be rejuvenated but only known.”

The design concept is thus in sync with the concept underpinning the theory that evolved in the hundreds of volumes published in the Analecta collection and in the Problemi journal, a theory that has gained worldwide renown over the recent decades. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that the Silver Windows book cover exhibition is accompanied by events that will reflect in various ways on the underlying premises and scope of this theory, grounding their reflections in gray on gray. Organised on the initiative of Dr. Jela Krečič, the series of lectures will accompany Silver Windows, an exhibition dedicated to the Problemi magazine covers designed by Alen Ožbolt on view in Cankarjev dom’s Foyer I. 

Inquiring into the national epic

The world premiere of Goran Vojnovič’s stage adaptation of Fran Saleški Finžgar’s historical novel is a saga about the struggle of oppressed people for freedom and love.

Under the Free Sun by Fran Saleški Finžgar is the great Slovenian historical novel and one of our canonical literary works, not only because its story inspired national feelings, but also because of its superb, epic opulence that half a century ago even intrigued Hollywood to think about turning it into a spectacular period drama. Unfortunately, nothing has (yet?) become of the idea, but The Tale of Our Ancient Forefathers received different literary, theatre and radio adaptations and was recently even adapted into a graphic novel by Damjan Stepančič and Goran Vojnović. The masterpiece which combines the epic story of the Slavic colonisation of the Balkans with the romantic love story between Iztok and Irena also inspired Goran Vojnović to write an original work for the stage – a contemporary interpretation of the myth, taking into account historical and political experiences from the time of the novel’s creation until today.

In the battle between the great, magnificent, magical, conquering and cruel Byzantium on the one side and the small, belligerent, freedom-hungry barbarians on the other, a fascinating fictional world emerges. In it, a mind game of recognising demons of one’s own time takes place, and very interesting and highly relevant questions are being opened. Who are today’s barbarians? Where is the Byzantium of today? Are we the barbarians on the edge of the powerful empire or are we the Byzantines that protect Byzantium from the penetrating barbarians? What is the state of our freedom? Are we now living under the free sun or not?

Just as reading Finžgar can still be exciting and attractive, the theatre production is also exciting and attractive, even spectacular. Although literary history classifies Under the Free Sun as a young adult novel, the novel itself and Vojnović’s interpretation are so complex and full of meaning that they will address a wide range of spectators. “All the questions that Finžgar asked are still relevant today, but the responses to them are more complicated, oftentimes incomplete, or even ambiguous, because, in today’s world, even the definition of who is a Byzantine and who a barbarian is unclear,” says the author of the adaptation.

Studio for Contemporary Music, Academy of Music of the University of Ljubljana
The University of Music and Performing Arts Graz
The University of Music and Theatre Munich 
Fourklor dance company and choreographer Branko Potočan
Project managers: Luka Juhart, Simon Klavžar

Programme:
Steve Reich: Drumming, for ensemble, Part 1: 4 pairs of tuned bongo drums (1971)
Steve Reich: Music for 18 Musicians (1976)

The concert forms part of the series Zvokotok at CD. 

Steve Reich's 1976 masterpiece, Music for 18 Musicians is one of the landmarks of twentieth-century music and arguably this composer’s most popular and best-known work. Drawing inspiration from West African music and the Indonesian gamelan, Reich – one of the founders of minimalism – created a microcosm of rhythmic sounds and repetitive patterns: each of the eleven sections is based on a particular chord, and all the instruments and voices play or sing the pulsating notes with each chord, resulting in a vibrantly coloured evocation of non-Western music, classical music and jazz – without sounding like any of these. This iconic composition, which has influenced a whole generation of young composers and pop musicians, will receive its Slovenian premiere in a performance by the combined ensemble of the Ljubljana Academy of Music, the University of Music and Theatre Munich and the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, as well as the members of the Fourklor dance company and choreographer Branko Potočan. The concert will begin with the composition Drumming, i.e. Part I for 4 pairs of tuned bongo drums, another of Reich’s works reflecting African influences, impressions from the composer’s visit to West Africa, which has been termed “minimalism’s first masterpiece” by music critic K. Robert Schwarz.

The Slovenian Railways Orchestra has a history of more than 120 years, and today, it boasts an impressive number of successes and musical tours worldwide. Franci Lipovšek has been the conductor of the orchestra since 1999, and under his leadership, the orchestra has grown, significantly developed, and participated in competitions, thereby increasing the quality and complexity of the music they perform. The Slovenian Railways Orchestra is currently the only brass band in Slovenia that has managed to progress from the lowest to the highest quality group in the competitions of the Association of Slovenian Brass Bands in just five years. With their energy and quality, they have also achieved success in international competitions. The orchestra successfully performs at various cultural events at home and abroad. Among other things, they have presented the rich Slovenian cultural heritage on tours in the USA, Canada, Spain, Macedonia, Germany, France, Croatia, Australia, New Zealand, and even in China.

Balkan Boys is a Slovenian group with a Balkan soul. They embody the true meaning and purpose of Balkan music – love, positive energy, and good vibes. Their energetic stage performance is an excellent example of what happens when you mix Balkan melodies with world rhythms: rumba, ska, swing, reggae, gypsy. The energy on stage, excellent improvisation, and polished musical performance take the audience to a completely new level. 
 

The most frequently performed ballet in the world will be presented by Ukrainian dancers in the choreography of one of their most renowned choreographic masters, Valeriy Petrovich Kovtun, the recipient of numerous international awards and recognitions. The Ukrainian Classical Ballet has traditionally refreshed Kovtun's choreography with a modern touch, allowing the audience to experience the story of Clara, a girl who discovers an unusual gift – a wooden nutcracker for the third walnut – under the Christmas tree. This nutcracker comes to life before her eyes, and together, they embark on magical adventures in the world of imagination.

The ballet will be performed to recorded music.

Jurij Franko, the producer of the hit musicals Mamma Mia! and Grease, and his production company Prospot have brought another global smash hit to Slovenia: the musical comedy Nunsense. Created by Dan Goggin, this wildly successful show premiered at New York’s Cherry Lane Theatre in 1985. It was an immediate hit and ran for an incredible 3,672 performances, becoming the second longest running off-Broadway show in history. Translated into more than 26 languages, it has become a phenomenon that is known throughout the world. Nunsense is the ingenious story of five nuns who find themselves in financial difficulties and decide to hold a charity event to raise money – with each of them wanting to be the star of the show. Over the course of a series of unlikely situations, the nuns reveal a different side of themselves from the one we are used to seeing. In the glare of the stage lights, with singing, dancing and laughter, each of them shines in a new and unique light. This is a show in which the whole team breathes as one and everyone will find something for themselves . . . or even discover a little piece of themselves.

Nunsense will be presented at Cankarjev dom in a special "Grand SHOW" edition, adapted for the Linhart Hall stage. On stage, top Slovenian dancers under the watchful eye of our globally recognized choreographer Matevž Česen will join the nuns for this exceptional event.

A show in which everyone will find a piece of themselves, and a team that will convince you that each of us can be a saint.