Novo Mesto Summer Evenings: Enlightened Novo Mesto
As part of the Novo Mesto Summer Evenings festival, Goga Publishing House invites you to the discussion evening Enlightened Novo Mesto, taking place on Thursday, 30 July 2026, at 8.00 pm.
ENLIGHTENED NOVO MESTO; MITJA SADEK, MATJAŽ ŠTIH AND VESNA KELBL / DISCUSSION EVENING
Before officials, censuses, school reforms and other major reorganisations of the empire arrived, the world of the Habsburg lands looked quite different. Maria Theresa and Joseph II sought to make it more efficient, more modern and easier to govern.
What did their reforms mean for the Slovene lands, how did they affect Novo Mesto, and which of their consequences can still be felt today? These questions will be explored in conversation with Novo Mesto historians Mitja Sadek and Matjaž Štih.
The event will take place at the festival venue in the Main Square, in front of Goga Bookshop.
NOVO MESTO SUMMER EVENINGS
Throughout July and August, Novo Mesto welcomes some of Slovenia’s leading writers, poets and musicians. Alongside literature, the festival also explores wider social issues. With Novo Mesto Summer Evenings, Goga brings a vibrant programme of cultural events to the town. Every book, every conversation with authors, is a celebration of Slovenian literature, the written word and the power of ideas.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 2026
- Wednesday, 9 July 2026, 8.00 pm – Kitchen of the Poor
- Monday, 14 July 2026, 8.00 pm – Prešeren, Censorship and the Turbulent Nineteenth Century
- Wednesday, 16 July 2026, 8.00 pm – Between Crime Fiction, Music and Comics
- Wednesday, 16 July 2026, 9.00 pm – Vlado Kreslin (concert)
- Friday, 18 July 2026, 10.00 am – Absolutely Nothing (puppet performance for children)
- Tuesday, 21 July 2026, 8.00 pm – Oma and the Spruce, Thousands of Years
- Wednesday, 23 July 2026, 8.00 pm – Life? or Theatre?
- Friday, 25 July 2026, 10.00 am – The Magical Birthday (puppet performance for children)
- Wednesday, 30 July 2026, 8.00 pm – Enlightened Novo Mesto
- Saturday, 1 August 2026, 9.00 pm – Ana Pupedan (concert)
- Friday, 8 August 2026, 10.00 am – Mirror, Mirror (puppet performance for children)
- Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 8.00 pm – Contemporary Slovenian Science Fiction
- Monday, 17 August 2026, 8.00 pm – Loveliness
- Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 8.00 pm – Contemporary World Poetry
- Thursday, 20 August 2026, 8.00 pm – Winter in Sokč
- Saturday, 22 August 2026, 10.00 am – Goldilocks and the Three Bears (puppet performance for children)
