New Slovenian cultural centre opens in Klagenfurt
Klagenfurt, 11 October - A new Slovenian intercultural centre and event venue will open in Klagenfurt, Austria, on Wednesday to improve the cultural life of the Slovenian minority in Carinthia. Called iKult, it will host the only professional bilingual theatre in the region.
The Slovenian Cultural Association (SPZ) started managing and renovating the venue in summer, but work is not yet completely done, SPZ head Mitja Rovšek told the STA.
The investment has been financed using the minority funding the association receives both from Slovenia and Austria. Rovšek regrets they did not receive any additional funds for the renovation.
"Slovenians have long been wanting for a space for cultural work in Klagenfurt; it was a unique opportunity that we grabbed with both hands," he told the minority's weekly Novice.
Spanning some 350 square metres, the centre will be used by the association's members and friends and artists committed to solidarity-based relations between Austrians and Slovenians in Carinthia.
The aim is to make iKult a cultural hub and a place where both umbrella cultural organisations of the minority, the SPZ and the Christian Cultural Association (KKZ), are working together.
Accommodating up to 120 spectators, the centre will be primarily dedicated to theatre, but it will also host other events.
Home of Teater Rampa, the only professional bilingual theatre in Carinthia, the centre will start staging performances on Saturday. The programme is available at https://ikult.at.
Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon will address today's launch.