2026 Slovenian Passion season

The Škofja Loka and Ribnica Passion plays brought together thousands of participants, international guests from Europassion, young Passion play performers, and distinguished public figures in a powerful celebration of culture, faith, dialogue, and international cooperation.

The Škofja Loka Passion play, one of Slovenia’s most important cultural and spiritual heritage events, has been staged in the years 1999, 2000, 2015, and 2026. This year’s production once again demonstrated its remarkable power to bring together community, art, and faith. The Škofja Loka Passion Play is one of the most valuable items of Škofja Loka and an important part of the Slovene cultural heritage. Its importance has been recognised outside Slovenia as well with Unesco placing it onto the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2016.

In 2026, they presented eight performances on the streets of Škofja Loka, across four different locations, involving more than 1,500 volunteers. The town was transformed into a living stage for this unique processional play, whose symbolism and message continue to resonate with contemporary audiences.

On Easter Monday, they had the special honour of hosting a delegation from the Europassion association. Among the distinguished guests were President Thomas Hummel and board member Lucas Montvignier-Monnet, whose presence expressed strong support for their work. On the same day, they attended the Škofja Loka Passion Play and later the Passion Play in Ribnica. In Ribnica, the president honored the hosts with an exceptional address. Young passion play participants from Škofja Loka and Ribnica met later that evening and continued with an in-depth discussion about the development and role of Passion plays in Slovenia.

Each Passion Play is unique, characterized by its own artistic and directorial approach, yet all share the same central message—the proclamation of the Resurrection: Jesus has risen. On this occasion, also numerous distinguished guests from Slovenia and abroad, including professors from the Faculty of Tourism Studies, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, a former Minister of Culture, the President of the Assembly of Slovenia’s first government, eminent members of the Slovenian Matica, and other respected guests were welcomed.

Such gatherings reaffirm the importance of the Škofja Loka Passion Play as a cultural, spiritual, and unifying space that transcends local and national boundaries and strengthens international cooperation. The next performance of the Škofja Loka Passion Play will take place in the year 2032. The Ribnica Passion Play is performed every year.

Škofja Loka Passion Play
Ribnica Passion Play