Panč Festival celebrates 19th anniversary of stand-up comedy in Ljubljana

The 19th edition of the Panč stand-up festival has concluded at Ljubljana Castle, marking the genre's evolution from an experimental niche into an established cultural institution in Slovenia. Despite rain forcing the opening night from outdoor venues into the Festival Hall, the event saw a full house.

This year's program featured 28 comedians from ten different countries. The festival showcased a mix of veteran performers and new talent, including three members of the Panč Academy: Blaž Rugelj, Petra Demšarin Cec, and Zala Djurić, who made her stand-up debut. Other notable performers included Saša Stare, Martina Ipša, Miha Brajnik, Jure Jamnik, and Boštjan Gorenc - Pižama.

Organizer Andrej Težak - Tešky noted that this edition included five premieres by Slovenian comedians and a record nine international performers. Looking ahead, the festival is already preparing for its 20th anniversary, with Australian comedian Sooshi Mango scheduled to perform in Ljubljana next summer.