The Slovenian School Museum Receives a Certificate for Its Nomination for the Živa Award 2026
Ljubljana, October 2, 2026 – The international event ŽIVA 2026 brought together museum and heritage institutions from various countries within the Slavic cultural sphere in Bled. The Slovenian School Museum was proud to receive a certificate of nomination for the Živa Award 2026, presented by the Forum of Slavic Cultures. We are delighted to have competed for the Živa Award alongside 43 of the best museum institutions from 16 countries.
This nomination represents significant international recognition of our efforts to preserve, research, and interpret educational heritage, as well as to make it accessible to different generations. Participating in the Živa 2026 event, which took place from September 30 to October 3, 2026, at the Bled Festival Hall, was also an exceptional opportunity for us to present our work internationally and to exchange experiences with museums and other heritage institutions from the broader Slavic region.
Museum Presentation in the “Living Stories” Category
We are delighted and proud to have had the opportunity to present ourselves at this event in a category that highlights the vibrancy, accessibility, and power of museum stories. Mr. Štefan Šiba (Gregor Gartner) and Ms. Apolonija Škarja (Polona Koželj) showcased the museum’s outstanding activities through a lively reenactment of historical lessons. The interpretation of intangible cultural heritage thus literally came to life on stage at this international event. For a moment, participants found themselves in the role of students and, through an interactive experience, got a feel for what classes were like in the past.
With this presentation, we highlighted that the Slovenian School Museum is not merely a repository of memories and artifacts. Above all, it is a space for active learning, exploration, and immersion. We believe that museum stories come to life when visitors can discover them, feel them, and connect them to their own world.
Participation in the Museum Market
On Friday, October 5, 2026, museums presented their projects, publications, and ideas at the Museum Market, which took place in a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere in front of the Festival Hall in Bled. It was an excellent opportunity for conversations, making new acquaintances, and forging fruitful collaborations. We presented a wide range of our publications, and Mr. Štefan Šiba also provided insights to the visitors.
About the Živa International Event
The ŽIVA 2026 conference was held under the theme “Myth and Memory in the Slavic Cultural Space.” The theme raised questions about how myths, stories, and collective memory are preserved, transformed, and reinterpreted in museums, cultural heritage, art, tourism, and contemporary understandings of identity.
The highlight of the conference was the ceremonial presentation of the ŽIVA 2026 awards, which took place on October 2 in the Grand Hall of the Bled Festival Hall. Artist and glass designer Tanja Pak delivered the keynote address, followed by the announcement of this year’s award winners and special honorees. The ceremony was followed by a gala dinner at Bled Castle.
The ŽIVA Awards, inspired by the Slavic goddess Živa—a symbol of life, beauty, and vitality—once again paid tribute to the creativity and efforts of institutions and organizations dedicated to preserving Slavic heritage.
