The ŽIVA Award, presented by the Forum of Slavic Cultures for outstanding achievements in preserving, safeguarding and promoting Slavic heritage, is returning “home” at the end of September – to Bled, Slovenia.

According to folk tradition, as well as France Prešeren’s The Baptism on the Savica (Krst pri Savici), a sanctuary dedicated to Živa, the Slavic goddess of life, fertility and nature, is believed to have once stood on Bled Island. It is within this landscape that the fragmented memory of Živa acquires its most enduring form – not as an unquestionable historical fact, but as a living expression of how myth continues to inhabit a place long after its original narratives have faded.

Registration for the ŽIVA 2026 conference and award ceremony, taking place in Bled from 30 September to 3 October 2026, is now open. An early bird discount is available until 20 August 2026.

More information about the programme and registration is available here.

The central theme of this year’s conference will be “Myth and Memory in the Slavic Cultural Space.” As part of the conference programme, a lecture will be delivered by Noah Charney, an internationally bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-nominated author, TV presenter, and professor of art history. This year’s country in focus will be the Czech Republic, presented by Michal Stehlík, a historian specialising in 20th-century history and the field of cultural heritage.

The programme will include presentations by all nominated institutions, while special emphasis will be placed on networking, connecting professionals and sharing experiences. A dedicated space for exchange will be the Museum Marketplace, taking place on 2 October. Other institutions – not only the nominees – are warmly invited to participate and present their work, projects and materials. The ŽIVA Award ceremony will take place on Friday evening, 2 October. On Saturday, 3 October, participants will join a professional excursion exploring Bled and its surroundings. The tour will include a walk along the lakeside promenade, offering views of Bled Island and Bled Castle, as well as a visit to the Spa Park, dedicated to Arnold Rikli, the pioneer of modern tourism in Bled. The excursion will continue with a visit to the Pr’ Mrako Homestead and the Slavko Oblak Gallery. The Pr’ Mrako Homestead is a remarkably preserved example of 17th-century vernacular architecture and an important part of the cultural heritage of the village of Rečica. Its distinctive design tells the story of the life, work and values of a prosperous farming family across generations.

The registration fee includes participation in all official events, the accompanying programme, refreshments and meals, evening receptions, the gala dinner, conference materials and the full-day professional excursion.

ŽIVA 2026 is organised by the Forum of Slavic Cultures in cooperation with the Bled Culture Institute and the Municipality of Bled, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, which provides the financial award for the winning museum.

We warmly invite you to join us.