The opening of the Pr’ Mrako Heritage Homestead & Gallery Slavko Oblak secured 2nd place in the Best Slovenian Event category at the Unicorn Awards 2026, turning a historic homecoming into a new cultural chapter for Bled.
Created by the Bled Culture Institute, the opening welcomed 92-year-old sculptor Slavko Oblak back to his birthplace, where he donated more than 400 bronze sculptures to the Municipality of Bled. Rather than staging a conventional ceremony, the event transformed the restored homestead into an immersive journey through the artist’s life, work and connection to the landscape.
Guests moved from the courtyard into the garden for the central programme, then into the gallery for the exhibition and documentary before gathering outside for the unveiling of a memorial plaque and signing of the donation agreement. Music, local cuisine, bilingual interpretation and the surrounding Alpine landscape made the opening feel like a genuine homecoming.
The project also embedded accessibility and local participation into the experience. The gallery features step-free access and a lifting platform, while 80% of suppliers and performers were local. The existing architecture, garden, natural light and landscape served as the event’s setting, avoiding the need for temporary scenic infrastructure.
