Theatre History

The Slovene National Theatre Maribor

The Slovene National Theatre Maribor is the main cultural institution in the town of Maribor and in north-eastern Slovenia. Since it was established in 1919 it has had an immense cultural and political role through its cultural creativity. It develops and preserves Slovene national identity and acts as an importnat bastion of the Slovene language. In the ninety years of its existance it has given a permanent mark to the city and the surroundings.

The first performance at SNG Maribor was held on 27 September 1919 with a play Tugomer by Josip Jurčič directed by Hinko Nučič, who was also the first principle of SNG Maribor and the first Drama artistic director. In these ninety years there have been 86 regular seasons at SNG Maribor (between 1941–1945 there were four empty seasons because the Slovene theatre was closed due to the war) during which there were 1514 premieres, of which 961 were in Drama, 456 in Opera and 97 in Ballet. Drama has been opened in all the seasons while Opera was only active periodically. It had a permanent artistic ensemble between 1922 and 1928 and since 1945.

Today SNG Maribor is the largest cultural and artistic institute in Slovenia, which is organised into five units: Drama, Opera, Ballet, Symphonic Orchestra and the Borštnik Festival. The Technology Department and Administration Department are common to all of them. In 2009 there were 324 full-time and 150 sessional employees. On five different stages and halls there are 13 premieres held each season (7 dramas, 4 operas, 2 ballets) and 14 concerts, which altogether makes 500 performances seen by approximately 200 000 visitors. SNG Maribor makes guest performances in Slovenia and abroad where, especially in recent years, it has been as one of the most important ambassadors of Slovene theatre creativity.