SLOVENIA: Mestni kino, Ptuj
SLOVENIA: Mestni kino, Ptuj
Mestni kino Ptuj, the Ptuj City Cinema, is the oldest operating cinema venue in Slovenia and among the oldest in the world: the first film screening in the building (that is even older itself) took place on 3 March 1897. The first audience was captivated by the Lumiere brothers’ early films. The cinema is located in the picturesque historic centre of Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia, and is an important part of its cultural heritage.
Since 2008, the cinema has been run by the local youth centre, Centre for Free Time Activities Ptuj, and has been transformed into a modern arthouse and event-driven cinema, a vibrant social and cultural community centre with programmes for different audience groups, bearing in mind notably families with children, youngsters, the elderly, and audiences with disabilities. The cinema is a member of the Slovenian Art Cinema Association and the Europa Cinemas network.
In 2022, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the first film screening in the building, Mestni kino Ptuj got an additional, second screening hall. With its vibrant colours and informal atmosphere, this “public living room” complements the valued ancient heritage with contemporary content such as extended reality and open-air projects.