According to estimates by the Student Organisation of the University of Ljubljana, the city offers only around 4,000 reading spots for a student population of approximately 40,000. The situation becomes particularly dire on Sundays, when the only open library – the Central Technical Library – sees queues stretching far beyond its doors.
It was precisely these long queues and the visible need for little more than a quiet desk and a chair that prompted the leadership at Cankarjev dom to act. Located just steps away from the Central Technical Library, the cultural centre saw an opportunity to contribute meaningfully by making use of otherwise vacant rooms during the daytime.
Jure Novak, the general director of Cankarjev dom, had hinted at such an initiative in a 2024 interview. This summer, that promise is being fulfilled. Cankarjev dom has designated one of its conference rooms for student use.
With 70 seats available, the reading room officially opens from June 9 to 15, then again from June 21 to July 18, operating daily from 8:00 to 20:00 – including Sundays. Reservations are required and can be made via the dedicated website: citalnica.cc-cd.si.
This initiative signals a broader strategic shift. It is both a nod to the institution’s mission to remain relevant to younger audiences and a step toward transforming Cankarjev dom into a dynamic public space, lively and populated not just during concerts or conferences but throughout the day.
Through “Learning with Cankar,” the nation’s leading cultural hall has proven that institutions can and should respond creatively to societal needs, even if the solution is as simple as opening a door.
Find out more about Cankarjev dom here.
