Invitation to a Literature-Inspired Cycling Tour of Ljubljana
As part of the 40th Vilenica International Literary Festival, we are delighted to invite you to a special cycling tour of Ljubljana that will take you past key landmarks of Slovenia’s literary heritage. The event combines movement, urban exploration, and literature, while opening space to reflect on the city as a living environment for poets and writers.
Meeting point: Slovene Writers’ Association, Tomšičeva 12, Ljubljana
Date and time: Friday, 5 September at 5:00 p.m.
On our route, we will visit several symbolic sites connected with literary creation:
Slovene Writers’ Association, Trnovo Church, Dane Zajc’s studio, Cukrarna, Metelkova City, and Prešeren Square.
Route description:
We start in front of the Slovene Writers’ Association on Tomšičeva Street and continue along Prešernova and Groharjeva, then along Finžgarjeva and Gradaška to Trnovo Church, immortalized in verse by France Prešeren. From Eipprova we proceed to Krakovski nasip, turn right onto Hradecky Bridge, cross it, and follow Grudnovo nabrežje to Praprotnikova Street, where we continue to Dane Zajc’s studio.
The route then takes us via Prijateljeva to Privoz, turning onto Roška and continuing to Cukrarna, today a center for contemporary art. We then cycle along Poljanski nasip, across the bridge to Rozmanova, and along Maistrova to Metelkova City. The final part of the route leads along Masarykova and Miklošičeva to Prešeren Square, where we pay tribute to Slovenia’s greatest poet. We finish by cycling along Wolfova, Congress Square, and Valvasor Square, returning to Tomšičeva – our starting point.
Green Vilenica: Literature with the Future in Mind
On its 40th anniversary, the Vilenica Festival highlights the importance of the green transition and care for the environment. In line with this commitment, we encourage all festival visitors to travel to events on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport whenever possible. One of our key goals is to reduce the festival’s carbon footprint, as we believe that literature and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Who is invited?
The event is open to everyone – lovers of literature, urban history, art, and cycling. The pace will be pleasant and accessible to all, with several stops along the way to present literary highlights and connections with the places we visit. Participants may also use public bicycles for the tour.
Registration
Registration for the cycling tour is required by 1 September 2025 at the latest, via email at [email protected]. Please include CYCLING TOUR in the subject line of your registration email. In case of cancellation due to bad weather, registered participants will be notified two days before the event by email.
Join us on this urban literary adventure and experience Ljubljana through the eyes of writers and poets – in a sustainable, cultural, and inspiring way.
This project is supported by Slovenian Ministry of Culture.
