10.00
Heard on Radio Slovenia
Since the last edition of Avdiofestival, many great stories have been broadcast on Radio Slovenija. We will listen to a selection of them and meet their authors, Mariša Bizjak (Radio Koper), Neža Borkovič (Val 202) and Sara Zmrzlak (Radio Maribor), together with the main protagonists, live on stage.
10.00
Good Night, Children!
For 60 years, we have been accompanying children into the world of dreams each evening. Original fairy tales, outstanding interpreters and the consistently excellent response of the youngest audience are the hallmarks of one of Radio Slovenija's most recognisable audio productions – the show Good Night, Children!, which will be staged live at Avdiofestival in the company of our youngest listeners. Bojana Vajt's fairy tale The Fox and the Grey Mouse will be brought to life before the audience by drama actress Ajda Smrekar.
10.00
Edita Kudláčová, EBU: Radio Facing Big Challenges
My kid doesn't know what a radio is. Does that sound familiar to you? And mine doesn't listen to it either – he's on his smartphone all the time. You hear people say this, radio editors included. How can radio stand up to the flood of digital content? Innovation, digital transformation, race with global big-tech platforms, creativity, search for audio talent or a rummage for the radio in your brand-new car? Which of these poses the biggest challenge for radio, public service radio, EBU, radio editors and radio producers? Presentation by Edita Kudláčová, Head of Radio at EBU, and discussion with Urška Sobočan Ivanovič. A great opportunity for a tough debate on radio!
11.00
Radiovedni: Sugar Up Close
Did you know that Cukrarna was once the largest sugar refinery in the Habsburg Monarchy, that it was home to the first steam engine in the Slovenian lands, and that the first factory chimney in the country saw the light of day in its courtyard? At this year's Avdiofestival, Radiovedni – or The Curious – will take a historical journey through sugar: we will also explore why we love it so much and where the hidden sugars lurk around us. And since sugar cannot just be talked about, we will balance the story with some live experiments. If we do not accidentally burn it, we will enjoy it as caramel and bring terrifying sugar snakes to life. Joining us will be Maja Ratej, Ajda Kus and Neža Borkovič, as well as a number of other guests.
11.00
Sound School with Rob Rosenthal
Creating Resonant, Short Stories with Adolescents: Recording the Sound School Live Podcast
Samantha Broun knows how to talk to teenagers. In her project Small True Thing, young people speak openly and sincerely about what matters most in their lives, even though they met for the first time. Rob Rosenthal will talk with Sam about her approaches and the techniques that come in handy for anyone interviewing teenagers. The conversation is sure to inspire anyone who conducts interviews.
11.00
Virtual, Augmented and Extended Reality in Education
Where do XR (virtual, augmented and extended reality) technologies stand today in terms of development? What dangers and challenges do they pose? Where are new technologies already in use, what benefits can they bring, and why are they welcome in education? The Slovenian TeachXR project opens the door to the future of education. It provides teachers with training and publicly available materials to help them prepare interactive teaching content. The project will be presented by Klemen Pečnik, content manager and project coordinator, Žana Juvan from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Matevž Pesek from the Faculty of Computer and Information Science, Mirjam Oblak from the Ministry of Education and Jasmina Mihelak Zupančič, director and headmistress of the Slovenske Konjice – Zreče School Centre. The presentation and round table discussion will be moderated by Eva Pečnik.
12.00
The Advertising Potential of Audio Content
Where does the future of audio advertising lie? In linear listening, online, in podcasts, or on social media? Who sets the trends? Do influencers have greater potential than journalists? What kinds of audio stories interest advertisers? A conversation on the interweaving of audio across different platforms and its advertising potential. Hosted by Boštjan Reberšak (Val 202) with guests.
12.00
Music in the Age of Streaming Platforms and Artificial Intelligence
Radio has long ceased to be the primary music provider. Today, algorithms on streaming platforms make suggestions to listeners, playlists are created by people themselves, and radio stations have largely abandoned their role as trendsetters by demoting or terminating the work of music editors. What else can we do with music on the radio? There is no shortage of examples in Slovenia that suggest that music can be used to address audiences in a changed and demanding media landscape. How else could we harness the potential of music? Jernej Sobočan Ivanovič (Val 202) with guests: Jana Morelj (Radio 1 rock), Andrej Karoli (Val 202), Andrej Jerman (Radio Ognjišče) and Borut Kampuš (Radio Si).
12.00
Podcasts Everyone Can Understand
The Samoan circle is a popular form of open and respectful dialogue. The focus is on listening, reflection, and shared understanding. In the center of the space, we will place a table with four chairs — this is the space for the speakers. How can we make podcasts that everyone can understand? Since the topic is accessibility and inclusion, the starting thesis is this: radio is neither accessible enough nor inclusive enough. Anyone who sits in the circle can join the conversation.
13.00
Digital Accessibility for All
An introduction to the key principles of digital accessibility, with simple steps for integrating them into everyday practice. Representatives from the Academy (research insights, guidelines) and user organisations (practical experience) will share their perspectives, illustrated with clear, ready-to-use examples.
13.00
At the Last Beep...?
Media legislation, financial problems, ownership acrobatics, slow adaptation to technological development, the battle for advertisers... The problems of the Slovenian media have remained much the same for years, if not decades. Where is the public in this equation? If the underlying currency of the media is trust, how much reserve is left, and how can it be consolidated? Manica Janežič Ambrožič (TV Slovenia) with guests: Janko Petrovec (Radio Koper), Ksenija Horvat (TV Slovenia) and others.
13.00
Media on Social Networks: Why Bother?
Some media outlets have shut down their social media profiles in recent years, but most continue to persist, addressing their audiences in various (more or less successful) ways. Some are real corporate influencers, there is no shortage of entertainment channels, many strive to inform and "cringe" moments are not uncommon. Why should the media, especially those offering audio content, persist on social networks, and how? Presentation of Slovenian practices and debate with questions from the audience. Ana Skrt (Prvi) with guests: Beti Burger (Delo), Blaž Maljevac (Radio Koper) and others.
14.00
In Radio we Trust, From Crisis to Crisis: Cilla Benkö, Director of Swedish Radio
What do the world’s recurring crises bring to radio, alongside media transformations, changing listening habits and (dis)trust in journalism and the media? How relevant is the audio content of public radio among the platforms of tech giants on smart devices and in cars, and among artificial intelligence products? Is radio just a needle in a digital haystack? Does its true value only emerge during natural disasters, power outages and wars? Will public service media be saved by quality journalism, public trust, or an arranged marriage to algorithms and digital platforms? There will be no shortage of challenges for the radio, but will it run out of breath?
These questions will be discussed with the exceptional guest Cilla Benkö, Director General of Swedish public radio (Sveriges Radio), Vice-President of EBU, an outspoken advocate of quality public media and journalism, and, we dare say, one of the most influential media figures in Europe. Swedish radio is regarded as a prime example of a public broadcaster that is extremely successful in adapting to the digital era – with new platforms, advanced technologies and innovations, and above all by adjusting to the changed habits of users, radio has been consolidated as a vital medium that enjoys a very high level of trust in Spotify's birthplace and across Europe.
Cilla Benkö has led Sveriges Radio since 2012. She will be interviewed by Mirko Štular, Director of Radio Slovenia.
14.00
Speech Assistant
French cyclist Valentin Paret-Peintre: [valantên paré péntər]. The pronunciation of French nasal vowels is adapted to the phonetic characteristics of the Slovenian language. This is how it is explained by Speech Assistant, RTV Slovenija's online platform for help with pronunciation. Users can also access audio recordings of the listed entries. We will test its use together with Radio Slovenija's proofreader Saša Grčman, likely engaging in a spirited discussion about current pronunciation dilemmas and fashionable slips.
14.00
Joy of Life – Radio Play with Talk
The humorous and wisdom-infused monologue of Fehtarca reveals her life story and her attitude to the profession she practises with pride and joy. The live performance of the radio play will be followed by a discussion with actress Meta Pavšič and Mateja Vodeb, Head of the RTV Programme Accessibility Service. The focus will be on examples of good practice in ensuring accessibility for the blind and visually impaired in the cultural sector. Live radio play with an interpreter for the deaf.
15.00
New World (Dis)Order
With new wars, the (dis)order of the world is becoming something it has never been before. The old powers, leaning on international law and trust in diplomacy, stumble through a new reality as they watch new centres of power and alliances emerge from military and economic strength. The new world (dis)order is sinking into global chaos. This discussion seeks to help us make sense of it. There are no easy questions – only one debate, and voices that know.
Joining the conversation: Boštjan Anžin, long-time RTV Slovenija correspondent from Berlin and Belgrade, Dr. Andrej Stopar, who reported as a correspondent from Moscow and Washington and Prof. Dr. Zlatko Šabič, expert in international relations and adviser to the President of the Republic.
15.00
Samoan Circle: Has radio lost its authenticity?
The Samoan Circle is a form of democratic debate that begins with a provocative thesis. For example: Radio has completely lost its creativity, and artificial intelligence will take away its focus. The opening sentence can be discussed by anyone in the room, but to get to speak, they must sit in the middle, where there are four chairs with just as many microphones. Do you think radio was really more creative in the past? Was it more authentic? Did it connect better with listeners, while today our attention drifts elsewhere? Step into the circle and say so. Anyone can sit on a vacant chair and speak. If all the chairs are taken, you can replace someone by placing a hand on their shoulder. You may rejoin the circle at any time or leave it freely. The thesis may also be changed, but only if you are in the circle.
The partner of the Samoan Circle is Hindenburg, a sound editing software.
15.00
Champions of the Week: Is Kekec Still in a Good Mood on the Radio?
Kekec is the prototype of a Slovenian hero: brave, clever, kind-hearted and cheerful. Does contemporary radio still lift his spirits? Does Kekec want to wake up with Slovenian national radio? Does he look or listen beyond the quick, light, entertaining banter of the radio hosts? Is he also interested in the in-depth, analytical radio content?
The host of the show, Champions of the Week, Bojan Leskovec (Prvi), Vesna Vuk Godina and Boštjan Gorenc Pižama.
16.00
Can Influencers Decide Elections?
Six months before the elections, we must ask ourselves what the relationship is between the traditional media and the new channels in Slovenia. Can "new media" and influencers determine the outcome of our elections? Politicians love to spread their messages via social media and in casual conversations on popular podcasts. There is also a flood of information that appears rather subtly on certain portals and, whether verified or not, spreads like wildfire. For the third season, Radio Slovenija has been trying to obtain credible information and explanations with the show At Eight, which poses experts, policymakers, analysts and people with personal experience the questions that concern us all. In three 15-minute episodes, Avdiofestival will try to put into words a pre-election Slovenia that we may not have yet fully grasped. The hosts of the show At Eight on Prvi, with guests: Zala Tomašič (SDS MEP), Nataša Briški (Metina lista), Matjaž Gruden (Council of Europe, columnist for Večer) and others.
16.00
A Joke for Parents: Parents' Meeting
Family or career? Both! The podcast A Joke for Parents takes to the stage at Avdiofestival with a special parents' meeting. Present: parents who do not conform to the prevailing social expectations regarding family time, career choice or lifestyle. Agenda: discussion about the perception of parenthood and career in the family, and how these two areas are intertwined. Hosted by Uršula Zaletelj and Maja Stepančič with guests: Bojan Emeršič, actor and father of three, Eva Vrevc Jenko, mother and doctor who has chosen the life of a farmer and Miha Goršin, father of two and author of the podcast Očka se pofočka.
16.00
In the Car, Is Radio Still Your Best Buddy?
How to secure the prominence of radio in cars? Public and commercial radio stations across Europe have joined forces to address this issue. How do they address the big tech on the dashboards? Can radio compete on its own? How does Radioplayer help, what are its key new services on a global level, and what does it bring to the Slovenian audience? Let’s ask the CEO of Radioplayer Worldwide, Yann Legarson.
17.00
How to Achieve Good Sound in TV Series
Together with television creators, we will discuss the making of a new Slovenian drama series that brings a new 30-minute format to our screens, inspired by the Scandinavian model. What working pace is dictated by the large number of episodes, and how does production differ from a feature film? Ana Jurc (MMC RTV Slovenija) with guests.
17.00
If I Had My Own Radio
When it comes to audio production, we always come up against limits. First, the finances. Then the money. And of course the euro. Restrictions are a fact of life. But not all obstacles are insurmountable. We create many of them ourselves. Sometimes we adapt without thinking, even unnecessarily. What if there were no problems, neither real nor self-created? What kind of radio would you create, what podcasts would you offer, what formats would you invent? A debate without real-world limitations to inspire creators and listeners. Miha Šalehar (Mihilizm podcast), Boris Kokalj (Kokosy, Val 202), Marko Bratuš (Slovenian Youth Theatre) and Anja H. Ramšak (Radio 1) with Katja Stojnić, host of the Rožnata dolina podcast.
17.00
A Decade of the Brain! Are We There Yet?
A decade may not be much compared to the thousands of years of development of the human brain, but it is enough to provide a wide range of new insights and research findings – from neurology and psychiatry to cognitive neuroscience and psychology. We know more about the brain today than ever before, and there are still endless reasons to be curious. On the tenth anniversary of the first regular radio broadcast about this organ in Slovenia, the brain will not only be in our hands, but also on stage. Join us in celebrating the amazing power and fragility of everything we are and can do – and do something good for your own brain. Prof. Dr. Zvezdan Pirtošek, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Blaž Koritnik, Breda Jelen Sobočan and Dr. Hana Hawlina, moderated by Mojca Delač.
18.00
Is Listening in the Age of Visual Domination Becoming a Political Act?
Sound is not just a companion to the image, sound and image together form a new perceptual unit that is more than the sum of its individual parts. A discussion about different approaches to creating soundscapes and images on film and radio will be moderated by Darja Hlavka Godin, radio music director.
18.00
Travelling Radio Workshop with Rob Rosenthal
According to Ira Glass, Rob Rosenthal is "probably the best radio mentor in the United States." That is why we have invited him to Slovenia for the fourth time. In the week leading up to Avdiofestival, radio journalists will hone their storytelling skills, crafting carefully composed stories. This is a workshop that can mark a journalist’s career – and it also leaves a mark on the audience attending the final evening. We will hear the very best in storytelling.
18.00
The Tech Podcast Odbita do bita
A debate without myths, filters and algorithms. With a dose of apps, entertainment electronics and prompts. Provocative, entertaining, thought-provoking. Maruša, Anže, Katja Štok and Ana Jurc are Odbita do bita, celebrating the 10th season of the technology podcast with listeners and a debate on the impact of technology on society.
19.00
Before and After: Sound in Retouching
Through examples of sound design, we will show that sound processing is not merely a technical correction, but also a space between science and art. Just as engineers focus on tools and artists on expression, the two worlds in sound design meet in the service of the listener's experience. With Damir Ibrahimkadić from Radio Slovenija's team for music recordings and directed shows.
19.00
Radio Ga Ga
Robert Golob, Uroš Slak, Zoran Janković, Urška Klakočar Zupančič, Matjaž Han, Luka Mesec, Branko Grims and others. Once again this year, Avdiofestival, with the team of Radio Ga Ga, brings together in one place those who see themselves as irreconcilable, offering a unique insight into the inner workings of current political and social events.
20.00
RadioLive!: Blaž Iaria & Sami domači
Blaž Iaria, rapper and songwriter from Tolmin. A voice that combines the power of words and the warmth of live sound. His work is not a captured matrix of beats, but a place where classical instruments meet a rap narrative – which is why he was naturally joined by the band Sami domači, which unfolds his lyricism into a fully-fledged concert experience. After a resounding performance in Studio Hendrix in Koper, they are now coming to Ljubljana, to the big stage at Cukrarna, where they will conclude this year's Avdiofestival with energy and poetic sharpness.