AGP Executive Report

Screen Picks: Slovenian-Italian short Cosmonauts, directed by Leo Černic, won both the Animest Trophy and audience award, making it eligible for Oscar consideration. RTV Slovenia has also acquired the first two seasons of children’s series Little Princess. Heritage: The Ukrainian Museum of Canada was named an Ambassador for Excellence in Preserving Slavic Heritage at the 2026 Živa Awards in Bled, recognized for its collection and work celebrating Ukrainian identity and immigrant history. On the Road: A family travel feature highlights Slovenia’s appeal for teens, from rafting on the Soča to exploring Bled and Bovec. Women’s Football: Slovenia will face the Netherlands in a two-leg playoff for a place at next year’s World Cup; the Dutch play the first leg at home between November 26 and December 5.

Animation: Slovenian-Italian short Cosmonauts, directed by Leo Černic, won the top prize and audience award at Romania’s Animest festival, making it eligible for Oscar consideration. Wine & Travel: Štajerska Slovenija was named Europe’s best wine region for 2027, putting the country’s vineyards in the spotlight. Women’s Football: Slovenia will face the Netherlands in a two-leg playoff for a place at the 2027 World Cup, with the first match at home. Family & Society: Slovenia had the EU’s lowest rate of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, at 12.5%, according to a new study.

Family Travel: A family adventure tour highlights Slovenia’s appeal for teens, from rafting on the Soča to relaxed stays in Bovec and meals shaped by Italian, Croatian and Austrian influences. Lake Bled: More than 4,700 rowers from 51 countries gathered for the World Masters Regatta, where visiting Stratford athletes won medals. Wine Tourism: Štajerska Slovenia has been named Europe’s top wine region for 2027, putting the country ahead of better-known rivals. Cultural Heritage: Duluth’s Singing Slovenes have given their final performance after 46 years of preserving Slovenian music, language and traditions. Everyday Life: Slovenia recorded a 10.2% rise in rents in the second quarter of 2026, among the EU’s sharpest increases. Public Media: Authorities are being urged to avoid changes that could weaken Slovenia’s public media.

Film: Slovenian-Italian director Martin Turk has joined the short-film jury for Istanbul’s Bosphorus Film Festival, running Nov. 8–15. Heritage: Slovenian artist Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace, a dove assembled from nearly 1,000 lace roses made by more than 500 lacemakers, is on display at Milwaukee City Hall through Oct. 14. The work draws on Idrija’s UNESCO-recognised lace tradition and the memory of a former concentration camp. Theatre: Slovenia’s Prešeren Theatre in Kranj and City Theatre in Ptuj will bring Jernej Lorenci’s Fight for Survival to the Balkan Theatre Festival in Bulgaria, Nov. 1–7. Diaspora: Duluth’s Singing Slovenes have given their final performance after 46 years of preserving Slovenian music, language and culture. Travel: A visitor’s week cycling Slovenia with an e-bike celebrates the country’s hills, scenery and easy appeal to riders of all abilities.

Cultural Heritage: The Singing Slovenes, a Duluth group preserving Slovenian music and language, gave their final performance after 46 years. Slovenian Craft: Artist Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace, made from nearly 1,000 lace roses woven by more than 500 lacemakers, is on view at Milwaukee City Hall through October 14. Arts: Slovenian director Jernej Lorenci will bring Fight for Survival to the Balkan Theatre Festival in Bulgaria, featuring seven productions from five countries. Lifestyle: Slovenia recorded a 10.2% rise in rents, among the EU’s steepest increases, while a travel feature spotlights the country’s landscapes and routes for e-bike touring.

Cultural Heritage: Duluth’s Singing Slovenes have given their final performance after 46 years of preserving Slovenian music, language and traditions across the US Midwest, Canada and Slovenia. Art & Memory: Slovenian artist Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace—a dove made from nearly 1,000 lace roses by more than 500 lacemakers—will be on display at Milwaukee City Hall through October 14. Inspired by the Ljubelj concentration camp site, the work also celebrates Idrija’s lace-making tradition. Theatre: Slovenia will be represented at the Balkan Theatre Festival in Bulgaria from November 1–7, with Jernej Lorenci directing Fight for Survival, a production by theatres in Kranj and Ptuj. Travel & Outdoors: A travel feature follows an e-bike journey through Slovenia, praising the country’s scenery and welcoming Ljubljana Airport as a starting point for exploring.

Slovenian Heritage: Artist Eva Petrič’s lace dove, made from nearly 1,000 roses woven by more than 500 lacemakers, is on display at Milwaukee City Hall through Oct. 14. Inspired by a former Nazi camp near Slovenia, the work carries a message of peace and Holocaust remembrance while celebrating Idrija’s lace-making tradition. Media and Culture: Slovenians vote today on whether to abolish the licence fee supporting public broadcaster RTV Slovenija. Media-freedom groups warn that removing its funding without a protected alternative could threaten its independence. Wine Tourism: Štajerska has been named Europe’s top wine region for 2027, with Maribor’s ancient vine, historic cellars and hillside wineries among its draws. Sailing: Trieste’s Barcolana58 drew crowds to the waterfront, with 1,858 boats entered for the Gulf of Trieste regatta; its Women in Sailing race spotlighted mixed-gender crews and women’s leadership.

Public Media: Slovenians vote today in four referendums, including one on RTV Slovenija’s funding. Media groups warn that scrapping its licence fee without a secure replacement could weaken the broadcaster’s independence. On Stage: Slovenia will be represented at November’s Balkan Theatre Festival in Bulgaria by Fight for Survival, a production directed by Jernej Lorenci and staged by theatres in Kranj and Ptuj. Active Escapes: An e-bike traveller praises Slovenia’s scenery and hilltop routes, describing a week of cycling from Ljubljana as a joyful way to explore the country. Wine Country: Štajerska has topped a new European ranking of wine regions for 2027, recognised for its vineyards, historic cellars, local hospitality and Maribor’s centuries-old vine.

Barcolana: Trieste is set for its annual sailing spectacular, with 1,858 boats registered for Sunday’s race. A women’s sailing event also spotlighted mixed-gender crews and women’s leadership on the water. Active Slovenia: A visitor’s e-bike tour offers a fresh way to explore Slovenia’s hills and scenery, with motor assistance making longer rides more accessible. Culture on Tour: Slovenia will feature at the Balkan Theatre Festival in Blagoevgrad, where Jernej Lorenci directs Fight for Survival, a joint production by theatres in Kranj and Ptuj. Wine Country: Štajerska has topped a new European ranking of wine regions, praised for its heritage, landscapes, food and hospitality. Public Media: Slovenian voters are deciding four referendum questions, including the future funding of RTV Slovenija; media groups warn that removing its licence fee without a protected alternative could threaten its independence. Cycling Glory: Primož Roglič won the European time-trial title on home roads, taking Slovenia’s final medal opportunity at the championships.

Referendums & Media: Slovenians vote Sunday on four proposals covering non-EU residents’ local voting rights, social assistance, public broadcasting and parliamentary inquiries. Press-freedom groups warn that plans to change RTV Slovenija’s funding and governance could weaken its independence. Wine & Travel: Štajerska has been named Europe’s top wine region for 2027, praised for its vineyards, food and heritage, including Maribor’s 450-year-old vine. Cycling: Primož Roglič won the European time-trial title on home roads, securing Slovenia’s final medal at the championships. Church & Accountability: A year after the Vatican formed a tribunal for Slovenian priest and artist Marko Rupnik, victims’ lawyer Laura Sgrò says there has been no update on the case.

Referendums: Slovenians vote on October 11 on four proposals covering non-EU residents’ local voting rights, social assistance, public-media funding and parliamentary inquiries, amid a widening political divide. Media Independence: Press groups warn that scrapping RTV Slovenija’s licence fee without protected replacement funding, alongside proposed changes to management appointments, could weaken the broadcaster’s independence. Rupnik Case: A year after a Vatican tribunal was formed to hear abuse allegations against Slovenian artist and former Jesuit Marko Rupnik, victims’ lawyer Laura Sgrò says she has received no updates. Wine Country: Northeastern Slovenia’s Štajerska region has been named Europe’s top wine destination for 2027, praised for its heritage, landscapes, food and hospitality.

UEFA: Slovenia’s Aleksander Čeferin will seek an unprecedented fourth term as president, with a vote set for April 2027. If elected, he would remain in office through 2031. Arts: The National Gallery of Slovenia made the shortlist for the European Museum Academy’s Art Museum Award; Athens’ EMST took the prize for its social impact. Wine & Travel: Štajerska was named Europe’s top wine region in a new ranking, praised for its cool-climate wines and historic cellars. Sport: Primož Roglič won his first European time-trial title on home roads in Slovenia, as the country hosted the championships. Family Life: A new international study puts Slovenia among countries offering 35 weeks of parental leave equivalent to full pay.

Family & Lifestyle: Slovenia stands out in a new parental-leave comparison, offering fathers 35 weeks of leave at full-pay equivalent. Museums: Athens’ EMΣT won the European Museum Academy’s Art Museum Award, ahead of the National Gallery of Slovenia, which was among the finalists. Sustainable Tourism: Slovenia is putting €15 million into regional tourism projects built around local identity, cultural heritage and nature, with the aim of improving destinations for residents as well as visitors. Wine & Travel: Štajerska has been named Europe’s top wine region in a new ranking, praised for its cool-climate wines, historic towns and family-run cellars. Trieste Events: Barcolana58’s village is open on the waterfront, with about 200 exhibitors, a new food-and-wine area and 1,570 boats entered for Sunday’s regatta.

Cycling Home Win: Primož Roglič claimed his first European time-trial title on Slovenian roads, thanking the crowds whose flags lined the course. Sustainable Tourism: Slovenia is putting €15.06 million in EU-backed funding toward regional tourism, with a focus on local identity, cultural heritage and better services for residents. Wine & Heritage: Štajerska topped a European ranking of wine regions, praised for its landscapes and centuries-old wine culture; Maribor’s Oldest Vine remains a signature attraction. Family Life: Slovenia ranked third for paid parental leave measured at full-pay equivalent, with 35 weeks in a new international comparison.

European Cycling: Primož Roglič won his first European time-trial title on home roads in Slovenia, finishing six seconds ahead of France’s Bruno Armirail. Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser claimed a fifth women’s title in Šenčur, while Dutch rider Nienke Vinke took the under-23 crown. Wine Country: Slovenia’s Štajerska region topped a new ranking of Europe’s best wine destinations, praised for its landscapes, historic cellars and living wine traditions. Family Life: A global study ranked Slovenia third for paid parental leave measured at full-pay equivalent, with fathers eligible for 35 weeks.

Slovenian Wine Spotlight: Štajerska (Styria) has been named Europe’s top wine region in a new European Best Destinations ranking, beating major rivals like France and Italy, with the region praised for authenticity, landscapes, centuries of wine culture, and strong regional identity. Culture & Peace in Focus: Imma’s exhibition “Technologies of Peace” is drawing attention for its art-led look at Europe’s transition from conflict to dialogue, including a major new installment in its big-theme series. Sports, Slovenia in the Mix: Slovenia’s Kristjan Ceh is among the nominees for the 2026 World Athletics Athlete of the Year awards, alongside global stars, while the UEC European Championships in Slovenia also delivered major relay wins for France and Italy. EU Civic Life: A European Parliament briefing warns of an MEP attendance crisis, raising questions about how the institution’s work culture is changing. Tech & Identity: The .si domain is reportedly surging in popularity worldwide, with Slovenia’s country code getting a fresh wave of attention.