Trigger

29/03/2026

After a short pause to catch our breath, we’re excited to start sharing some memories from the festival days. We begin where it all started 👉 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗼𝗿

Our first festival day brought us together at Vetrinjski dvor, where participants connected through interactive networking and pitching sessions, followed by an exciting series of performances across the city. 🎭

We’re very grateful for such a strong start in Maribor, and we’d like to thank everyone who joined us for the opening of the festival and helped create such a fun and welcoming atmosphere!

More moments from Ljubljana are on the way 🏃‍♀️💨

📸 Boštjan Lah

Gledališče Glej | Bunker | Moment Maribor | Mesto žensk | Zavod Maska | Pekinpah | Slovensko mladinsko gledališče | Motovila | VIA NEGATIVA | EAIPA European Association of Independent Performing Arts | Društvo Asociacija | Vetrinjski dvor | Narodni dom Maribor | Cukrarna.art

17/03/2026

TRIGGER 2026: 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗠𝗘 🗣️

Društvo Asociacija and EAIPA European Association of Independent Performing Arts working session: 𝘽𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚: 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙊𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛
📍Thursday, 19th March 2026, 13:30 – 15:30, Cukrarna
Artists often navigate precarious work, physical demands and short-term opportunities. This working session addresses strategies for sustaining a career in performing arts, highlighting existing support structures across Europe and sharing artists’ reflections on health, professional development and long-term career sustainability.

Guests:
🔹Christian Keller - Strategy & Content, European Association of Independent Performing Arts (EAIPA)
🔹Sabina Potočki - producer, Dance Theatre Ljubljana veteran
🔹Oliver Dähler - choreographer, SSUDK Transition Center director
🔹Anže Dolinar – philosopher, Društvo Asociacija advocacy expert
Moderator: Polona Torkar – head of expert office, Društvo Asociacija

𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙭𝙩: 𝘼𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙘, 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨
📍Friday, 20th March 2026, 11:00 – 12:30, Cukrarna
This session offers two analytical perspectives on independent performing arts in Slovenia. It examines participatory practices, audience engagement and contemporary aesthetics, reflecting on how productions respond to social issues and experiment with new forms of performance.

Authors & presenters:
🔸Karolina Bugajak - theatre researcher and critic, focusing on participatory theatre
🔸Metod Zupan - independent cultural worker, editor and researcher

Motovila pannel: 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙏𝙤𝙤𝙡? 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙧𝙩
📍Friday, 20th March 2026, 14:00 – 15:30, Cukrarna
This roundtable investigates the growing trend of framing culture as a tool for social, economic or political objectives. Experts discuss the consequences of “hyper-instrumentalisation” for artistic freedom, funding criteria, labor conditions and the broader autonomy of culture in Europe.

Guests:
🔹Luiza Moroz - head of policy, Culture Action Europe
🔹Jurij Krpan - artistic director, Kersnikova, Galerija Kapelica / Kapelica Gallery
🔹Ulrike Kuner - managing director, IG Freie Theaterarbeit & EAIPA

Moderators:
🔹Tery Žeželj – dramaturge and researcher
🔹Mateja Lazar – director, Motovila

📸 Marijo Zupanov (TRIGGER, 2024)

17/03/2026

TRIGGER 2026: 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀

𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨, by the 𝗜𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 and director 𝗥𝗮𝗷𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝘇, is a precise and poetic reflection on motherhood beyond clichés. Through personal stories, research and real-life interviews, the performance opens up questions of autonomy, time, social expectations and what it really means to choose.

🗓 Friday, March 20, 21:00 – 22:00
📍Stara mestna elektrarna - Elektro Ljubljana, Ljubljana
Co-produced by: Kolektiv Igralke (CRO);
Kuća Nahero (CRO); Kazalište Ulysses (CRO);
Zavod Maska (SLO).
🔗 More about the performance: https://maska.si/en/project/mame/
Language: Croatian with English surtitles

𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮 is a non-profit organisation active in artistic production, publishing and education, known for connecting theoretical reflection with contemporary artistic practice and critically engaging with cultural and political contexts.

𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼 is an independent artistic space in Zagreb focused on contemporary performance, music and visual arts, as well as education and art therapy.

𝗨𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲 is a unique cultural project connecting theatre with international collaboration and peace initiatives, known for its iconic stage on the Brijuni islands.

📸 Miranda Legović

17/03/2026

TRIGGER 2026: 𝗦𝘂𝗸𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻 🎮

𝙎𝙪𝙠𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙣, by 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗷𝗮 𝗛𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻 and collaborators, is a fantasy performance that blends manga, anime and video game aesthetics into an interactive world of female vigilantes. Inspired by women’s gangs and online movements, the piece explores anonymity, control and resistance in digital spaces, confronting online sexism and reclaiming the female gaze.

Watch or join the game.

🗓 Friday, March 20, 19:00 – 20:30
📍Dance Theatre Ljubljana, Ljubljana
Co-production: Mesto žensk, Cankarjev dom
🔗 More about the performance: https://mestozensk.org/en/event/sukeban
Language: Slovene with English surtitles

𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 is a pioneering organisation dedicated to feminism and gender equality in arts and culture. Since 1996 it has been producing artistic, activist and educational programmes, building communities through art while connecting cultural production with broader social change.

𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗷𝗲𝘃 𝗱𝗼𝗺, Slovenia’s central cultural and congress centre, supports and co-produces contemporary artistic projects, connecting local and international artists.

📸 Nada Žgank

16/03/2026

TRIGGER 2026: 𝗝𝗔𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗧 🌊

𝙅𝙖𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙩 is a “novel in landscape” by artists 𝗡𝗲𝗷𝗮 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝘀̌𝗶𝗰́, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗷𝗮 𝗩𝘂𝗷𝗼𝘀̌𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰́ and 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱, an unfolding walk through overlapping stories, imagined encounters and shifting Mediterranean landscapes.

An unusual gathering unfolds: an unborn service worker, a cruise ship baptised by Margaret Thatcher, Mr Satoshi and a guest trapped in an endless introspective abyss. Moving through daydreams, fragments of history and speculative narratives, the work reflects on how territories and societies are reshaped by tourism, global capital and speculative investments.

🗓 Friday, March 20,
15:30 – 16:40
16:40 – 17:50
17:50 – 18:50
Saturday, March 21, 20:00 – 21:00
📍 Glej Theatre, Ljubljana
Production: Glej Theatre
🔗 More about the performance: https://www.glej.si/en/jadran-resort

𝗚𝗹𝗲𝗷 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲, the oldest independent professional theatre organisation in Slovenia, operates as both a venue and production platform dedicated to contemporary performing arts, supporting experimental, interdisciplinary and author-driven theatre while creating space for emerging artists and international collaborations.

📸 Marijo Zupanov

16/03/2026

TRIGGER 2026: 𝗜𝗦 𝗝𝗢𝗬 𝗜𝗜✨

𝙄𝙎 𝙅𝙊𝙔 𝙄𝙄 by 𝗔𝗹𝗷𝗼š𝗮 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗿𝗶ć 𝗞𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗲ž explores joy as the fabric of community, not as naive optimism, but as a shared possibility grounded in reality. Through bodies, objects and space, the performance builds a collective resonance between performers, scenography and audience. From discarded furniture, local materials and theatrical elements, a symbolic totem gradually emerges - a structure reflecting the collective and inviting the audience into an act of counter-passivity and shared creation.

🗓 Thursday, March 19, 21:30 – 22:30
📍Stara mestna elektrarna - Elektro Ljubljana, Ljubljana
Production: Bunker
🔗 More about the performance: https://www.bunker.si/en/aljosa-lovric-krapez-is-joy-ii/
Language: Non-verbal

𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿 is a non-profit cultural organisation producing and presenting contemporary theatre and dance, organising workshops and educational programmes and running the international 𝗠𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗶 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗶 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹.

📸 Michael Lozano

16/03/2026

TRIGGER 2026: 𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘 🪨

In 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚, choreographer 𝗟𝗲𝗷𝗮 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝗶š𝗶ć explores the hidden movement within something we usually perceive as immobile and lifeless. Through stones, text and bodies, the performers create shifting landscapes- obstacles, bridges and pathways that lead into both external and inner worlds.

🗓 Thursday, March 19, 19:30 – 21:00
📍Lutkovno gledališče Ljubljana, Ljubljana
Coproduction: Pekinpah & Lutkovno gledališče Ljubljana
🔗 More about the performance: https://www.lgl.si/en/dance-in-stone
Language: Slovene with English surtitles

𝗣𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗵 is a Ljubljana-based production platform for contemporary dance, music and design, known for producing innovative works and organizing the international Spider Festival, which showcases radical dance and performance artists.

𝗟𝗷𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗷𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲 is Slovenia’s central puppetry institution, combining a centuries-old puppet tradition with contemporary performance practices and serving as the guardian of Slovenia’s puppetry heritage.

📸 Gregor Gobec

16/03/2026

As part of the collaboration with the Neodvisni platform, two in-depth analytical essays have been written by 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗷𝗮𝗸 and 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗱 𝗭𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗻. The essays connect the productions included in the Trigger programme and reflect on their aesthetic approaches, production models and the broader social and artistic contexts in which they emerge.

Based on these essays, the authors will also present a professional lecture, taking place on March 20th at11:00–12:30 in Cukrarna.

The essays are already available online! You can read them at the links below👇
Matod Zupan: https://www.neodvisni.art/refleksija/2026/03/independent-contemporaneity/
Karolina Bugajak: https://www.neodvisni.art/refleksija/2026/03/audience-first/

16/03/2026

As part of the discursive programme we invite you to a round table 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹? 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗿𝘁 on March 20 at 2 PM at Cukrarna.

The discussion will address the instrumentalization of culture, a growing trend in which culture is increasingly framed in public policies as a tool for achieving external goals, often leaving less space for the intrinsic value of culture and artistic freedom.

[OKROGLA MIZA: KULTURA KOT ORODE? INSTRUMENTALIZACIJA IN AVTONOMIJA UMETNOSTI]

Zavod Motovila v sodelovanju s platformo Trigger 20 marca ob 14. uri vabi v Cukrarno na okroglo mizo »Kultura kot orodje? Instrumentalizacija in avtonomija umetnosti«.

Govorke_ci bodo odprli vprašanje instrumentalizacije kulture – trenda, pri katerem se kultura v politikah vse pogosteje utemeljuje kot orodje za doseganje zunanjih ciljev, pri čemer se v diskurzu izgublja prostor za intrinzično vrednost kulture in umetniško svobodo.

Dogodek je del programa predstavitvenega festivala TRIGGER, ki se bo odvil med 18. in 21. marcem 2026 na različnih prizoriščih v Ljubljani in v Mariboru. Pri festivalu sodelujemo skupaj z: Gledališče Glej, Bunker, Zavod Maska, Mesto žensk, Moment Maribor, Pekinpah, Slovensko mladinsko gledališče, VIA NEGATIVA.

Več informacij + PRIJAVE na povezavi V KOMENTARJU!

| Culture.si

15/03/2026

TRIGGER 2026: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 🥀

In 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙆𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜, artists 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗞𝘂𝗸𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗰, 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗿 and 𝗨𝗿š𝗸𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗮𝗿 bring contemporary performance to the countryside, gathering women, neighbours and allies into a temporary community. When this community is shaken by an event that no artistic practice can easily process, the performance becomes a collective gesture, raising shovels, slogans and voices in a radical act of rural decolonisation.

🗓 Thursday, March 19, 16:00 – 17:00
📍 Mladinsko Theatre (Post office), Ljubljana
Coproduction: Slovensko mladinsko gledališče, Zavod Rizoma, Mesto žensk
🔗 More about the performance: https://mladinsko.com/en/program/242/the-art-of-living-the-act-of-killing/
Language: Slovene with English surtitles

𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗸𝗼 𝗺𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗸𝗼 𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗶šč𝗲, founded in 1955 as the first professional theatre for children and youth in Slovenia, later expanded its programme to connect political critique and provocativeness with innovative performative practices. Today it is known for performances that actively engage with public space and contemporary social issues.

𝗭𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗺𝗮 is a cultural centre based in the Slovenian countryside that connects contemporary artistic practices with rural life. Through artistic projects, residencies, workshops and educational gatherings, it builds long-term partnerships between rural communities and urban artistic scenes.

𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 is a pioneering organisation dedicated to feminism and gender equality in arts and culture. Since 1996 it has been producing artistic, activist and educational programmes, building communities through art while connecting cultural production with broader social change.

📸 Nada Žgank