Speculum Artium 2026 Festival

The finest works connecting art, science and contemporary technology, from 16 to 19 September at Delavski dom Trbovlje.

We invite you to join us at the official opening of the festival on Wednesday, 16 September, at 17.30 on the plaza in front of Delavski dom Trbovlje.

This year the exhibited works draw attention to the energy consumed by artificial intelligence and to the rare earth elements that make modern technology possible. In the middle of Delavski dom they conjure up the sounds of a forest, move you into the body of a whale, invite you to play a laser harp with your friends, and challenge you to use a stone computer mouse.

At this year’s festival we place special emphasis on the connection between technology and contemporary dance, as part of the international project Danube Dance Alliance.

The Trbovlje chimney will host CODA, a special dance event bringing together Trbovlje dancer Nik Rajšek and a robot dog. Join us on Thursday, 17 September, at 18.00 for the dance event in the chimney. Admission to the performance is free, but registration through the form available here is required.

The DanceScapes VR dance experience takes you into the Trbovlje chimney, to an abandoned swimming pool in Sarajevo, in front of the Fountain of Youth in Belgrade, into the Velenje mine and onto the meadow in front of the Istrian castle in Svetvinčenat. The Trbovlje premiere of the VR dance film will take place on Wednesday, 16 September, after the official part of the opening. Between 17 and 19 September the VR experience can be seen from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 16.00 to 18.00 on the stage of Delavski dom Trbovlje.

The festival is open every day from 9.00 to 19.00. Some of the artworks are also on display at the Tone Seliškar Library Trbovlje. Admission to the exhibition and to all events is free.