The application period for the ŽIVA Award is coming to a close. The deadline for submission is 10 March 2026, so we invite all interested museums and heritage institutions to take advantage of this final opportunity to participate.
The ŽIVA Award 2026 is the central project of the Forum of Slavic Cultures and represents one of the most prominent platforms for recognizing excellence among Slavic museums, heritage sites, and initiatives dedicated to the preservation, research, and presentation of Slavic cultural heritage worldwide. In addition to a prestigious international distinction, the award also includes a monetary prize of EUR 5,000.
Through the ŽIVA Award, we aim to highlight the richness of the Slavic world—its shared values, diverse stories, and traditions—while also emphasizing common cultural roots, historical paths, experiences, and challenges faced by Slavic communities over time. The awards are grounded in the values symbolized by the Slavic goddess Živa—life, beauty, creative power, and vitality. They are intended to recognize best practices in the protection, interpretation, and promotion of Slavic cultural heritage, and to encourage contemporary, innovative, and inclusive approaches to its preservation and public presentation.
The award program includes three main categories:
- Best Slavic Museum – for museums of all types that stand out in safeguarding, presenting, engaging visitors, and disseminating knowledge about Slavic heritage.
- Best Slavic Natural and Cultural Heritage Site – for heritage areas, cultural or natural monuments of outstanding value that successfully integrate heritage preservation with contemporary site management.
- Excellence Diploma for the Preservation of Slavic Heritage Worldwide – intended for Slavic communities, organizations, and initiatives operating outside their countries of origin that actively preserve and promote Slavic cultural heritage, ensuring its transmission and presentation in new contexts.
Participation in the call brings museums and cultural institutions international visibility, as well as opportunities for networking and professional exchange. The awards also include the opportunity to present at the conference and to be featured in international publications and other promotional channels of the Forum of Slavic Cultures.
12th ŽIVA Conference and Awards Ceremony in Bled
From 30 September to 3 October, the 12th ŽIVA Conference and Awards Ceremony will take place. The program will be held in Bled.
Bled is an excellent venue for international cultural events. Its lake, the island with a church, and Bled Castle rising above the lake, together with the Alpine backdrop, offer a unique combination of natural and cultural heritage. The town brings together a long history, archaeological and cultural values, and strong tourist recognition, providing visitors with both professional and cultural experiences.
The ŽIVA Award has a special historical and cultural connection with Bled. Although the goddess Živa is scarcely mentioned in historical sources, she is remembered in folk traditions, particularly in connection with “living waters” and sacred landscapes. According to local legend, a pagan shrine dedicated to Živa once stood on Bled Island, later replaced by a Christian church.
Applications for the ŽIVA Awards are free of charge and must be submitted via the online application forms. The deadline for submission is 10 March 2026.