The City of Velenje, the fifth largest conurbation in Slovenia is the administrative, political, economic and cultural centre of the Šaleška valley. Most people associate the city with the company Gorenje, whose products are sold all over the world, and with the Velenje coal mines, a very modern coalmining company. But for a long time there has been more than industry making its mark on Velenje, which has developed into a centre of modern architecture, and a city of parks and playgrounds, green spaces and culture. But Velenje is not just outwardly modern, it also has a young population whose diversity offers a unique pace to the beautiful natural surroundings and a relaxed urban atmosphere. Our small city also welcomes numerous visitors, who can enjoy a rich range of restaurants and shopping, and a range of different sporting and cultural events.
Velenje’s cultural pulse is set by the Festival Velenje, Velenje library, the Fran Korun Koželjski music school, the Velenje gallery, the Velenje youth centre, numerous cultural associations and more; the two museums – the Slovenian Coalmining Museum and Museum of Velenje also offer a great deal to the city. The history of the coalmining museum is of global interest, presenting mining life in the past and present in an authentic environment of a former coalface 180m below the ground. The Museum of Velenje is found in the mighty Velenje Castle, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval castles in Slovenia. The castle atrium is also a wonderful space with great acoustics for summer cultural events. Velenje is also renowned for the fact that it has interesting events going on almost every day.
It’s not just a tourist slogan to claim that Velenje combines tradition, youth and culture. The combination of youth and culture is seen every autumn in Slovenia’s largest children’s festival – the Pikin Festival, which will be held in Velenje for the 19th time this year between 21 and 27 September.
Together with another four urban municipalities in the north-east of Slovenia, the City of Velenje supported the successful candidacy of the City of Maribor as European Capital of Culture 2012 – so there are also many cultural challenges ahead!