Festival Spider
od turnom 3, Park Tivoli, SI-1000 Ljubljana
Organised byPekinpah Association
Frequencyannual
Festival dates24.6.2026 - 27.6.2026
Spider Festival
From Culture.si
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Programme
Spider’s programme moves across dance, choreography, and hybrid forms, bringing together established and emerging artists who treat the body as a site of inquiry, resistance, and transformation. Drawing on both local and international scenes, it highlights works that test boundaries and engage with social realities, while maintaining immediacy and connection with the audience. Each evening extends into DJ sets featuring artists from the local and international club scene.
An integral strand of the festival, Radical Talks – curated by philosopher and artist Bara Kolenc – takes shape as an open forum for critical exchange, gathering diverse voices and inviting audiences to engage in dialogue on pressing questions.
Spider also features the Baby Spider programme for younger audiences, often presenting productions by the Qulenium Cultural Association.
Background
Spider emerged from the international Spider project initiated by Slovenian choreographer Matej Kejžar, in collaboration with artists Michaël Pomero (France) and Antigone Gyra (Greece). Conceived as a platform for exchange beyond established festival formats, national borders, and disciplinary boundaries, the project brought together artists from diverse contexts through residencies, research processes, and public showings. It unfolded across a series of events in cities including Lyon, Berlin, Brussels, Zagreb, Athens, and Ljubljana.
The first festival edition took place in 2011 at the Španski borci Culture Centre, in partnership with En-Knap Productions and the ŠKUC Association, with a programme spanning body art, contemporary dance, exhibitions, and concerts. In subsequent years, Spider occupied several venues across Ljubljana, including the Stara Elektrarna - Old Power Station and Švicarija Art Centre, before settling in its current open-air location at the Plečnik Auditorium in Tivoli Park.