The call for the ŽIVA Award 2026 has concluded with an outstanding response – this year, we received a record number of applications, 43 in total. In recent months, jury visits have taken place, and attention is now gradually turning to the central event of this year’s edition – the 12th ŽIVA Conference and Award Ceremony, which will take place in Bled, Slovenia, from 30 September to 3 October 2026. The programme is being prepared by the Forum of Slavic Cultures in cooperation with the Bled Culture Institute and the Municipality of Bled.

With its exceptional combination of natural and cultural heritage, Bled provides an ideal setting for an international professional gathering. The lake with its island, Bled Castle, and the Alpine backdrop create a unique environment for connecting experts, museums, heritage institutions, and partners from different countries, all united by a shared commitment to the preservation, research, and contemporary interpretation of heritage. This year’s meeting also carries particular symbolic significance due to the historical connection between the ŽIVA Award and Bled. According to local tradition, a sanctuary dedicated to the Slavic goddess Živa, after whom the award is named, once stood on Bled Island.

The main programme will take place at the Bled Festival Hall, where presentations by nominated institutions, expert lectures, networking activities within the ŽIVA Marketplace, and the ceremonial awards presentation with a gala dinner will be held. The final day will be dedicated to a professional excursion to selected cultural and natural heritage sites across Slovenia.

In addition to presentations by nominated institutions, this year’s conference programme will feature a series of lectures and discussions by distinguished international experts in museology, heritage interpretation, cultural management, and sustainable development. Among the speakers will be renowned museum professionals, researchers, and representatives of leading European cultural institutions – their names, lecture topics, and the detailed programme will be announced in the coming weeks.

A call for participation in the conference will also open soon, offering museum professionals, heritage experts, researchers, students, and other interested participants the opportunity to join an international professional network and exchange knowledge, experience, and best practices.