The ŽIVA Award, presented by the Forum of Slavic Cultures for outstanding achievements in preserving, safeguarding and promoting Slavic heritage, returns to Slovenia from 30 September to 3 October 2026 – to Bled, a place with a special connection to the goddess Živa, after whom the award is named.
According to local tradition, a sanctuary dedicated to Živa, the Slavic goddess of life, fertility and nature, once stood on Bled Island. While this story cannot be established as historical fact, it remains part of the cultural memory of the landscape – a fascinating example of how myths, places and memory continue to shape our understanding of heritage.
The central theme of ŽIVA 2026 is “Myth and Memory in the Slavic Cultural Space.” The conference will explore Slavic mythology as a fragmented and partly reconstructed system of narratives, preserved through landscapes, collective memory, museums and contemporary interpretations of heritage.
Myths, Monsters and the Slavic Imagination
The conference will open with a keynote by Noah Charney, internationally bestselling author, TV presenter and professor of art history.
In his talk, Slavic Myths: From Vampires to Werewolves and Beyond, Charney will explore the mythology, folklore and legendary creatures of the Slavic world, from vampires and werewolves to witches, water spirits, dragons and forest beings. Drawing on his book Slavic Myths, he will examine what these stories reveal about the societies that created them – and how they continue to resonate in literature, art, film, tourism and contemporary identity.
Country in Focus: Czech Republic
The 2026 programme will also turn the spotlight on the Czech Republic.
Michal Stehlík, historian and Director of the Czech Museum of Literature, will present Czech Museums and the 21st Century, exploring how museums have evolved and how they can respond to digitalisation, globalisation and rapidly changing audiences. His presentation will open a broader discussion about the role and relevance of museums in contemporary society.
Celebrating Heritage and Connecting Professionals
A central part of the programme will be the presentations of the ŽIVA Award 2026 nominees, bringing together museums and cultural institutions from across the Slavic cultural space. Their presentations will offer an opportunity to discover diverse approaches to preserving, interpreting and communicating heritage, while encouraging professional exchange and new connections.
The Museum Marketplace, taking place on 2 October, will provide an additional space for museums and cultural institutions to present their projects, publications and materials and connect with an international professional audience.
The programme will culminate in the ŽIVA 2026 Award Ceremony on the evening of 2 October at Bled Castle, followed by a gala dinner.
The programme will conclude on 3 October with a professional excursion exploring Bled and its surroundings, including Bled Island and Castle, the Spa Park, the Pr’ Mrako Homestead and the Slavko Oblak Gallery.
Programme Highlights
30 September
evening – Bled Castle
Opening of ŽIVA 2026 and Heritage in Motion Award Ceremony
1 October
morning – Bled Festival Hall
Opening of ŽIVA 2026 and keynote Slavic Myths: From Vampires to Werewolves and Beyond by Noah Charney
throughout the day – Bled Festival Hall
Presentations of the ŽIVA Award 2026 nominees
2 October
morning – Bled Festival Hall
Keynote Czech Museums and the 21st Century by Michal Stehlík and presentation of the 2025 ŽIVA Award winners
12:00–14:00 – Bled Festival Hall
Museum Marketplace
evening – Bled Castle
ŽIVA 2026 Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner
3 October
Bled and surroundings
Professional excursion: Discovering Bled and Its Heritage
Join us in Bled to discover inspiring institutions and projects from across the Slavic cultural space, exchange experiences and explore how myths, memories and heritage continue to shape our understanding of the world.