Novo Mesto Summer Evenings: Prešeren, Censorship and the Fascinating 19th Century
As part of the Novomeški poletni večeri (Novo mesto Summer Evenings) festival, Goga Publishing House invites you to the literary evening Prešeren, Censorship and the Fascinating 19th Century, taking place on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, at 8.00 pm.
PREŠEREN, CENSORSHIP AND THE TURBULENT NINETEENTH CENTURY; ALJOŠA HARLAMOV, MARIJAN DOVIĆ AND ANA GERŠAK / LITERARY EVENING
Prešeren had to deal with many things: love, poetry, censorship and, it seems, even crime – at least judging by the books Dohtar and the Water Man (Goga, 2025) and The Juicy Fruits of Prohibition (Cankarjeva založba, 2026).
The first is a witty crime novel set during the emergence of Slovenian national consciousness, while the second explores prohibition, censorship and literary temptations in the 19th century.
The two books are connected by at least one character – France Prešeren – and at the event, visitors will discover whether they share anything else.
The event will take place at the festival venue on Glavni trg, in front of Goga Bookshop.
Novomeški poletni večeri (Novo mesto Summer Evenings)
In July and August, Novo mesto welcomes leading Slovenian writers, poets and musicians. Alongside literary themes, the festival also addresses broader social issues. Through Novomeški poletni večeri, Goga brings a diverse cultural programme to the city. Each book, each conversation with authors and each encounter with literature becomes a celebration of Slovenian books, the richness of language and thoughtful ideas.
Festival Programme 2026
- Wednesday, 9 July 2026, 8.00 pm – The Poor People’s Kitchen
- Monday, 14 July 2026, 8.00 pm – Prešeren, Censorship and the Fascinating 19th Century
- Wednesday, 16 July 2026, 8.00 pm – 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)
- Monday, 21 July 2026, 8.00 pm – Grandmother and the Fir Tree, A Thousand 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 – Little Mirror (puppet performance for children)
- Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 8.00 pm – Contemporary Slovenian Science Fiction Literature
- Monday, 17 August 2026, 8.00 pm – Cuteness
- Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 8.00 pm – Contemporary World Poetry
- Thursday, 20 August 2026, 8.00 pm – Winter in Sokcho
- Saturday, 22 August 2026, 10.00 am – Goldilocks and the Three Bears (puppet performance for children)
