The Mini Teater is a non-profit institution founded in Ljubljana in 1999, staging high-quality conventional theatre and puppet theatre performances for a variety of audiences and age groups, in addition to summer festivals and medieval festivals. Each year, the theatre stages more than 500 performances and is visited by more than 60,000 spectators. The theatre is also involved in a wide range of artistic exchanges with artists and directors from abroad.
Until now, however, the Mini Teater has not enjoyed a proper venue of its own. Performances have taken place at leased premises in the Ljubljana Castle, far from ideal for the theatre's steadily increasing number of spectators and performances. The leased venue had only 100 seats, the stage was too small and there was no changing room for the actors. Moreover, the old venue did not allow for evening performances, as opening hours were linked to the opening hours of the castle.
New tailor-made premises
Recognising these challenges and Mini Teater's contribution to the cultural scene of the city, the Municipality of Ljubljana provided the theatre with a perpetual free lease of a listed building in its picturesque old town. With support from the EEA and Norway Grants, the building's interior has been reconstructed to meet the theatre's demands and needs.
The Mini Teater now enjoys its own venue with a new stage to supplement the leased stage in the Ljubljana Castle. The stages of the Mini Teater now have altogether 200 seats. The new building has been fitted with offices, changing and sewing rooms, storage rooms, a foyer and congress hall, as well as 2 residences for visiting artists and directors. The new premises will enable an increased number of international exchanges and enhance the theatre's overall artistic repertoire.
The new building is already in full use. On 23 October, it was opened in a festive ceremony attended by Interior Minister Katarina Kresal, Minister of Culture Majda Širca and Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković.
Photo credit: Nejc Saje.