Dear representatives of RTV Slovenia, the cultural community and society at large,

We wish to express our support for RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and Big Band being preserved. Both are a precious part of our cultural heritage and have had an invaluable influence on artistic life in Slovenia.

The Ljubljana Festival, in partnership with RTV Slovenia, has created countless unforgettable musical events on the Slovenian cultural scene since the orchestra was founded in 1955. The most prominent of these is Summer Night, a traditional gala concert that presents the rich heritage of Slovenia’s popular music and evokes memories of the golden age of Slovenian popular songs. Close cooperation between the Ljubljana Festival and RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and Big Band in the summer festival, the Winter Festival, the Slovenian Music Days and the 1st Ljubljana Festival International Piano Competition promotes home-grown musical talent and is an invaluable bridge between artists and audiences at home and abroad, contributing to the diversity of the cultural offering throughout the year. Both ensembles have enjoyed many successful collaborations and performances with world-renowned artists. These include Anna Netrebko, Elīna Garanča, Jonas Kaufmann, Juan Diego Flórez, Yusif Eyvazov, Jonathan Tetelman, José Cura, Ramón Vargas, Plácido Domingo, Denis Matsuiev, Alexander Gadjiev, Simon Trpčeski, Leonel Morales, Irena Grafenauer, Ricardo Castro, Oksana Lyniv, Jochen Rieder, Karl Mark Chichon, Laibach, Uroš Perić, La Fura dels Baus, Svetlana Zakharova and many others who were extremely satisfied with the cooperation.

The RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and Big Band are undoubtedly ambassadors of Slovenian culture, which transcends borders and connects us with the world’s musical heritage.

RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and Big Band are not only an investment in art, but also in our society’s cultural wealth, influencing the development of musical art, promoting the education of young musicians and proudly representing our country on the international stage. It is our sincere wish that RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and Big Band remain an important part of our cultural heritage for future generations.

Darko Brlek
General and Artistic Director of the Ljubljana Festival
Honorary Member of the European Festivals Association