The European Museum Forum has announced the nominees for the EMYA2026 - European Museum of the Year Award. Among them is the Museum of Madness, which has operated for thirteen years at Cmurek Castle in Trate, Slovenia. A total of 35 nominated European museums will present their work at the EMYA 2026 conference in Bilbao, Spain, from 10 to 14 June, where the winners will be announced and the awards presented. The main host of this year’s conference will be the Basque Language Interpretation Centre, Euskararen Etxea, recipient of the Council of Europe Museum Prize 2025.
The EMYA – European Museum of the Year Award is presented by the European Museum Forum, an organization working within the framework of the values of the Council of Europe. It is committed to promoting democracy, human rights, sustainability, and dialogue across cultural, social, and political boundaries. Through its activities, the Forum supports and connects museums across Europe, promotes good practice, and recognizes excellence and innovation in the museum sector.
The Museum of Madness warmly welcomes the nomination, which represents significant recognition of its work. The museum focuses on raising awareness of human rights, preserving cultural heritage, researching the phenomenon of madness, and actively involving diverse audiences in its programmes and activities. Over the past thirteen years, the previously neglected heritage site of Cmurek Castle has been transformed into a vibrant space for meeting, collaboration, learning, social exchange, and inclusion.
More information about the award and the nominated museums is available at EMYA2026.
