The biggest architectural event of the year in South-East Europe is coming up

On Wednesday and Thursday, the 15th and 16th of May, 2024, the BIG Architecture Ljubljana Festival will gather leading architecture and interior design experts from South-East Europe and beyond in Slovenia’s capital to present their latest projects, discuss current topics, and showcase inspiring innovations. The festival will also provide an opportunity to network and cultivate fresh ideas in a relaxed atmosphere.

International Conference, Trade Show and much more

The BIG Architecture Ljubljana festival returns to L56 on Litostrojska cesta 56 in mid-May, bringing together architects, interior designers, engineers, urban planners, as well as decision-makers, investors, and architecture students. At the international conference In Search of Beauty: Between Tradition and Innovation, visitors will have the opportunity to hear from national and international speakers discussing architectural narratives beyond the established frameworks. Alongside, the festival will host over 70 exhibitors showcasing their innovations at the Trade Show: Innovation Premieres. Moreover, the winners of the BIG SEE Awards, recognizing the most outstanding achievements in architecture and design, will be presented over the span of two days.

Strong potential for creators from South-East Europe

Zavod BIG, which oversees the festival, is dedicated to uniting the countries of South-East Europe (SEE) and spotlighting exceptional yet often overlooked artists. The BIG SEE platform encompasses 21 countries in the region, representing a market of 350 million people and presenting numerous networking opportunities. Therefore, debates featuring representatives from various architecture-related fields, both from SEE and beyond, will provide valuable insights.

Five in-depth discussions – five different perspectives

Visitors will have the opportunity to attend five in-depth debates led by experts from South-East Europe. The first panel will delve into Italian design, exploring themes of inclusiveness, innovation, and sustainability in manufacturing. Following that, deans of faculties from the SEE region will examine informal approaches in formal education, touching upon experimental methods in architectural pedagogy. An international panel of curators and editors will discuss the effective use of digital media platforms for communicating architecture to the general public. City architects will discuss the complex relationship between politics and architecture. Finally, in the closing debate, representatives of architectural chambers will explore various approaches to organizing architectural competitions in different local communities.

Socialising and networking in a relaxed atmosphere

For a break from the lively programme, organizers invite visitors to the SEEnergy Room – a space dedicated to relaxation, enjoying music from the SEE region, and networking in an informal setting. It will be open on Wednesday and Thursday between 10 am and 6 pm. The first day of the festival, May 15th, will conclude with the SEEnergy Party, featuring musical performances by the bass quartet Bassomania and DJ August Braatz. The BIG Architecture Ljubljana Festival will close with the BIG SEE Grand Prix Awards ceremony and a Gala Dinner.

Participation in the BIG Architecture Ljubljana Festival is free of charge with an invitation from the organizers. More information about invitations and the program can be found at bigsee.eu/visit-big-architecture.