Slovenian arts groups face eviction from historic Ljubljana complex by January deadline
By January 2021, nearly twenty arts organizations must leave a 12,500 square-meter facility in central Ljubljana, as mandated by the Slovenian Ministry of Culture. Among those impacted are the Centre for Contemporary Art, Dance Theatre Ljubljana, the Association for the Promotion of Women in Culture, and the Center for Slovenian Literature. Eviction notices were issued on October 19, 2020, coinciding with new COVID-19 restrictions. The Ministry asserts that it requires the property but has not offered alternative accommodations. The organizations intend to contest the eviction, referencing their historical connections to civil society movements dating back to the 1980s. The buildings at Metelkova 6, previously military quarters, have been occupied since 1993.
Key facts
- Eviction notices served to nearly two dozen arts organizations in Slovenia
- Organizations must vacate 12,500 square-meter complex in central Ljubljana by end of January 2021
- Eviction notices delivered on October 19, 2020
- Ministry of Culture claims need for property but offers no replacement premises
- Buildings originally Austro-Hungarian military quarters, later Yugoslav National Army barracks
- Buildings occupied since 1993
- Centre for Contemporary Art has operated at Metelkova 6 since 2002
- Organizations vow to resist eviction through all possible means
Entities
Institutions
- Centre for Contemporary Art
- Center for Slovenian Literature
- Association for the Promotion of Women in Culture
- Dance Theatre Ljubljana
- Ministry of Culture
- Soros Foundation
- Soros Center for Contemporary Arts
- Slovenian Democratic Party
Locations
- Ljubljana
- Slovenia
- Hungary
- Visegrad countries