About Velenje

In modern-day Slovenia, Velenje stands out as a young town with a powerful and vigorous industry and a lively identity. Velenje will add a special playful touch to the ECOC project, since most of its programs are intended for children and the youth, the future potential of culture. Staying true to its cheerful character, Velenje will certainly enrich the ECOC with its energy.

The Pippi Longstocking Festival is one of the finest children´s festivals in Europe. Astrid Lindgren, the author of the story about the young main character of the festival is named after, has even described the event as one of the most beautiful embodiments of her work.

"My thoughts on the culture in Velenje. Velenje, a young city. In 2010 it celebrated its 50th anniversary. And its culture? It has been affected by many earthquakes in the production as well as the organizational stand-point in that time. Now it is sound again. Standing on solid ground, with a clear vision not only for 2012 but for 2013, 2014, 2015 … Preparations for ECOC 2012 had to look beyond 2012. As they should, in order to ensure that the culture in Velenje will not simply blossom in 2012 only to wither a year later." (Dimitrij Amon)