The Festival of Madness places at its centre the question of how we, as a society, relate to people experiencing mental health difficulties and, more broadly, to people with disabilities. Talks, discussions, art exhibitions, theatre performances, film screenings, museum tours and workshops will bring together people with diverse interests as well as people with lived experience of institutionalisation.
The rich programme of professional, cultural and artistic events will encourage participants to reflect on what more we can do together to contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon of madness, the realisation of human rights, and a welcoming society for people who still live behind the walls of institutions today.
The Festival of Madness 2026 will take place from 10 to 12 July 2026 at the Museum of Madness in Trate.
The 2026 Festival of Madness will, for the first time, be held primarily in Slovenian. Guided tours of the Museum of Madness will be available in English, and we will do our best to provide translation and language support whenever possible.
We warmly invite everyone to join us on this extraordinary and inspiring adventure!
PROGRAMME
Friday, 10 July 2026
09:00 Professional Conference: Advocacy and Human Rights – How to Hear the Person
12:00 Break
14:00 Guided Tour of the Museum of Madness
16:00 Opening of the Advocacy Centre
19:00 Improvisation Theatre Show
21:00 Festival Opening and Film Evening
- Modri konj želja (The Blue Horse of Wishes) and discussion with the creators (Jakob Vogrinec, Ciril Zupan, Staša Prah, 2025)
- I giardini di Abele (Abel’s Gardens) (Sergio Zavoli, Italy, 1968)
Saturday, 11 July 2026
09:00 Little School of Madness
10:00 Creative Workshop for Children and Adults (Maggie and Esox)
10:30 Public Guided Tour of the Museum of Madness
11:00 Emerging Radio Play: Deconstructing Madness Through Sound (Jasmina Godec)
12:00 Break
14:00 Risnica – Self-Advocacy Workshop (Zavod Risa)
15:00 Living Library (MKC Maribor)
16:00 Jam Session
18:00 Opening of the Exhibition Rhythm and Repetition (Saša Bezjak, Dušan Dovč, Amalija Stojsavljević)
19:00 Round Table: Madness and Creativity 2.0 (moderated by Dušan Dovč)
21:00 Punk Concert
Sunday, 12 July 2026
09:00 Market of Madness
09:30 Opening of Exhibition Spaces for Individual Visits: Glimpses from the Margins
11:00 Dance Sunday
14:00 Farewell to Madness
ACCOMPANYING PROGRAMME
Throughout the festival, visitors will also have access to additional spaces and activities:
Advocacy Corner
A space for questions, conversation and individual support. Intended for visitors who would like to talk about their experiences, needs, rights or questions related to advocacy.
Reflection Space
A quiet space for contemplation, recording responses, resting and revisiting the questions raised by the festival.
Open Microphone
A space for the voices of visitors, service users, artists and anyone wishing to share a thought, story, question, poem or response.
Radio Play Space
A space for listening to the radio play, reflecting on it and sharing impressions of what has been heard.
The Festival of Madness website with more detailed information is currently under development. Stay tuned for updates.
