Slovene National Theatre Maribor won the Best in Community Building special award for Ballet Under the Stars, a free, open-air cultural event that brought professional ballet performances directly into Maribor’s Main Square, making high-quality art accessible to the entire community.
The 2024 edition transformed the city centre into a stage under the night sky, integrating architectural features of the square into the scenography and connecting residents, tourists, and cultural institutions. More than 30 dancers performed on a professional stage with adapted lighting and acoustics, while technical and production crews ensured seamless delivery. The event combined artistic excellence with collaboration across municipal authorities, cultural partners, and the theatre, demonstrating how public space can serve as a platform for cultural engagement.
Conceptually, the event is part of the European STAGES initiative, embracing sustainability and social responsibility. It uses reusable stage structures, energy-efficient lighting, and a minimal environmental footprint while ensuring free access for all audiences. This approach redefines how classical theatre can interact with communities, bringing culture into shared spaces inclusively and responsibly.
Ballet Under the Stars 2024 attracted several thousand visitors and received extensive media coverage across television, print, radio, and social media. Audience feedback highlighted the performance quality, atmosphere, and accessibility. The event strengthened community ties, elevated the city’s cultural profile, and demonstrated how public art can be delivered sustainably and inclusively, creating lasting engagement with residents and visitors alike.
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