Slovenia and Germany may differ in size, but when it comes to culture, they’ve shared a long and meaningful relationship. As Slovenia takes center stage as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, it’s the perfect moment to look into the strong literary, cinematic, and theatrical bridges that have connected these two nations for decades.
From book translations and co-productions to bilingual plays and film festivals, Slovenian–German cultural relations are deep, evolving, and more relevant than ever.
Here’s how literature, cinema, and theatre bring Slovenia and Germany together in 2025.
Table of Contents
Literature
Books have always played a key role in the Slovenian–German dialogue. Many of Slovenia’s most iconic authors have been translated into German, thanks to sustained support from publishers, translators, and cultural institutions.
Highlights:
- Over 200 Slovenian works have been translated into German in the last 20 years
- Major authors like Drago Jančar, Boris Pahor, and Slavoj Žižek enjoy wide German readership
- German publishers such as Suhrkamp, Wallstein, and Matthes & Seitz regularly publish Slovenian voices
Slovenia’s Book Agency (JAK) and the Goethe-Institut also support reciprocal exchange, encouraging German literature to reach Slovenian readers through strong bilateral translation grants.
At Frankfurt 2025, expect panels on:
- Literary translation challenges
- German-Slovenian publishing collaborations
- The influence of German philosophy and poetry on Slovenian writers
Cinema
Slovenian and German cinema have shared stages at film festivals and co-productions for years. While small, Slovenia’s film industry is agile — and German partnerships have helped amplify its reach across Europe.
Key connections:
- Co-productions supported by Eurimages and bilateral treaties
- Participation in German festivals like Berlinale, Filmfest Hamburg, and DOK Leipzig
- Slovenian directors such as Damjan Kozole and Sonja Prosenc have screened in Germany
- German producers and distributors regularly co-finance Slovenian independent films
Themes like identity, post-socialist transitions, and family dynamics resonate with both nations, giving filmmakers common ground.
Expect special screenings and filmmaker Q&As at Frankfurt 2025 celebrating this cross-border creative energy.
Theatre
Theatre has been one of the richest spaces for Slovenian–German cultural exchange. From Brecht’s influence on Slovenian drama to contemporary multilingual performances, the stage has always been a meeting point.
Key elements:
- Regular collaborations between Slovenian National Theatre (SNG) and German Stadttheaters
- Slovenian directors staging German-language productions
- Touring German troupes visiting Ljubljana, Maribor, and Koper
- Slovenian playwrights like Simona Semenič gaining traction in German theatres
In recent years, themes like migration, identity, and nationalism have inspired co-productions that speak to both countries’ experiences.
Frankfurt 2025 will include:
- Live readings of German-Slovenian plays
- Theatre panels on translation for performance
- Discussions on post-dramatic theatre across borders
Institutions
A strong web of institutions underpins the Slovenian–German cultural relationship. These organizations make sure artistic exchange is ongoing and accessible.
Main players include:
- Goethe-Institut Ljubljana
- Slovenian Book Agency (JAK)
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
- Ministry of Culture (Slovenia and Germany)
- Embassies and consulates supporting touring events and book fairs
Through grants, residencies, and cross-border events, they ensure that artistic and academic voices are heard — and supported.
Education
Literary and cultural exchange often starts in the classroom.
- German is widely taught in Slovenian schools as a second language
- Slovenian literature is studied in German universities under Slavic studies
- Exchange programs link German and Slovenian writing students and academics
This academic foundation fuels ongoing interest in each other’s cultures — and trains the next generation of translators, curators, and creatives.
Future
With the spotlight on Slovenia at Frankfurt 2025, German-speaking audiences are discovering — or rediscovering — just how much these two nations share.
From philosophical roots to modern stagecraft, from Alpine landscapes to Berlin screenings, Slovenian and German creatives continue to learn from and influence one another.
And if Frankfurt is any indication, the next chapter in Slovenian–German cultural relations will be even more collaborative, inclusive, and creative than the last.
FAQs
Which Slovenian authors are read in Germany?
Writers like Drago Jančar, Boris Pahor, and Slavoj Žižek.
Do Slovenia and Germany co-produce films?
Yes, through Eurimages and other EU cultural funds.
Is there Slovenian theatre in Germany?
Yes, plays and directors often collaborate with German theatres.
What supports translation between the two nations?
Institutions like JAK and Goethe-Institut fund translation.
Is German taught in Slovenian schools?
Yes, it’s a common second language in schools and universities.
