Pranger – Festival of poetry criticism, translation and reading

Radovljica, Ljubljana, Kranj: September 15^th–20^th, 2026

 We invite you to gather once again this year in front of the pillory—once more, it will be the medieval pillory between the pillars of Malija’s House on Linhart Square in Radovljica, the only one of its kind in Slovenia—and take a peek into the vast worlds of poetry!

 

The critical section of the Pranger Festival has settled in Radovljica for its 23^rd edition, while the children’s programme Mali Pranger – ELA, together with the presentation of the Stritar Award for the best literary critic by the Slovenian Writers Association, has successfully remained in Rogaška Slatina, the birthplace of our namegiving author of children’s literature Ela Peroci and the town where the author and critic Josip Stritar lived and later passed away. We will see you there on May 30^th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.— you’re all warmly welcome!

 

 

Festival Program 2026

We’ll be revealing this year’s program soon, but until then, you can watch a video highlights reel from last year below.

Choosen language: Slovak

October

Program Young Critique: workshop with Silvija Žnidar.

Critics 2026

Varja Balžalorsky Antić

Vid Bešter

Majda Travnik Vode

In its day, the “pranger” was a pillory set up in the middle of the town square, onto which criminals were tied. Its purpose was public punishment, in which the townspeople could participate with their remarks and comments.

With the Pranger Festival, the Pranger literary society nurtures criticism, translation and reading of poetry, with the Translation Pranger the reflection of various forms of translation and with the ELA – Little Pranger it dedicates itself to the creativity and the cultural-artistic critical upbringing of the youngest. With the Pranger Lyrikbook program, poetry is placed in an international context. The festival, which every year attracts poets, critics and translators, isn’t about tying anything to the pillory. Quite the opposite, we put poetry on a pedestal. Its purpose isn’t humiliation but the critical evaluation of Slovene and international poetry and bringing it closer to the people. With the conceptual discussions and critical debates, we discover the potential of poetry through poetry as well as evaluate the Slovene poetry collections, published in the last year, which experts have deemed most deserving of discussion. We also offer a platform to translators and critics, many of whom cut their teeth on this exact festival. Also, part of the programme is geared towards the youngest, another towards university students and high schoolers.