Opening hours:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00-18:00
Opening hours:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00-18:00
In 2026, the Museum Club showcased new acquisitions and a selection of interesting objects from the collections of the Maribor Regional Museum. Through discussions with experts from various fields, visitors learnt about the stories behind the objects, their cultural and historical background, and the importance of preserving them and incorporating them into museum collections.
5 March 2026
Always beautiful Pohorje glass
A talk held at the Castle Café to mark the reopening of the glass exhibition depot showcased the heritage of glassmaking in the Pohorje region and the stories associated with the products of the region’s former glassmakers. The discussion was led by Dr Valentina Bevc Varl, the creator of the exhibition, and she was joined by Herman Pušnik, a researcher specialising in the history of Josipdol, and Jože Rataj, a curator from Celje Regional Museum and a leading expert on glassmaking in Slovenia.
2 April 2026
Josef Brandl, a Maribor-based manufacturer of organs, pianos and harmoniums
The talk at the Castle Café was dedicated to a piano by the Maribor-based instrument maker Josef Brandl (1865–1938), which the Maribor Regional Museum acquired in 2025. During the presentation of the new acquisition, visitors learnt about the work of the master craftsman, who also built more than 150 organs for various clients, and about the significance of the instrument for musicians. Musicologist Dr Karmen Salmič Kovačič and pianist Nejc Kamplet spoke about Brandl’s life and work, with the discussion moderated by Dr Valentina Bevc Varl.
The Museum Club is an adult education programme run by the Maribor Regional Museum, aimed at adult visitors who wish to learn about cultural heritage through discussion, the exchange of views and meetings with experts from various fields. The programme has a sustainable focus, as it situates individual elements of cultural heritage within the contemporary social context and links them to current issues and developments in Slovenia and the wider European context.
In 2025, the Museum Club ran under the collective title Meetings with Eduard Lind. All four exhibits were linked to the temporary exhibition MARIBOR PAINTER EDUARD LIND and offered visitors an insight into the life and work of the Maribor-based painter from various perspectives – ranging from the history of the city and its bourgeois society to the religious community, portraiture and the field of conservation and restoration.
20 March 2025
Maribor and its citizens in the second half of the 19th century
A themed guided tour of the exhibition and a discussion at the Castle Café shed light on cultural and social life in Maribor during Eduard Lind’s time. The evening’s guests were Dr Vlasta Stavbar and Dr Maja Godina Golija, and the discussion was moderated by Oskar Habjanič, MA.
5 June 2025
Eduard Lind and the evangelical community in Maribor
The gathering at the Evangelical Church in Maribor was linked to a viewing of Linda’s painting Christ on the Cross with a presentation on the history of the Protestant community and the artist’s connection to it. The guests were Violeta Vladimira Mesarič Jazbinšek, MA, and Boštjan Zajšek, MA; the discussion was chaired by Dr Valentina Bevc Varl.
11 September 2025
Eduard Lind and portraits of Maribor’s mayors and distinguished citizens
The discussion at the Partizan Cinema and the Grajski Café focused on Lindo’s official portraits, which were commissioned by prominent institutions in Maribor. Dr Polona Vidmar and Dr Andrej Hozjan spoke about the artist’s portrait oeuvre, with the discussion chaired by Dr Valentina Bevc Varl.
13 November 2025
Restoration of Eduard Lind's paintings and their frames
The closing event at the Castle Café showcased the conservation and restoration work carried out on Lindo’s paintings and frames, as well as the importance of their professional preservation for future generations. The guests of the evening were the conservators Barbka Gosar Hirci, MA, and Irena Porekar Kacafura, whilst the discussion was chaired by Dr Valentina Bevc Varl.
In 2025, the Museum Club ran under the collective title Wine Stories. A series of ethnological lectures and discussions, organised by museum consultant and ethnologist Nives Cvikl, offered visitors a broader perspective on wine as an important part of cultural heritage. The focus was not only on historical grape varieties and the development of viticulture, but also on the social, ethnological and contemporary aspects of people’s relationship with wine – from the impact of the pandemic on alcohol consumption to biodynamic viticulture, wine-growing customs, patron saints and beliefs, and the pairing of food and wine on various occasions.
As part of the Museum Club, six lectures and talks were held at the Partizan Cinema.
21 April 2022
Alcohol during the pandemic
The first meeting focused on the impact of the pandemic on attitudes towards alcohol and on changes in habits and social patterns relating to the consumption of alcoholic drinks.
18 May 2022
Biodynamics in the vineyard
The talk introduced the principles of biodynamic viticulture and the importance of sustainable approaches to wine production. The guest of the evening was the renowned winegrower Božidar Zorman, who shared his experiences and views on the development of this method of production.
22 September 2022
The vineyard is locked
The event took visitors on a journey into the world of wine-growing customs, practices and beliefs, and highlighted the importance of the vineyard as a place of work, tradition and community.
24 November 2022
Wine-growing councillors
A conversation with the Franciscan priest, Father Peter Lavrih, highlighted the role of saints associated with viticulture and their place in popular piety, celebrations and wine-growing customs.
8 December 2022
Man and Wine
The event was dedicated to the broader relationship between people and wine, and the significance of wine in everyday and festive life.
14 December 2022
Festive menus for family and diplomatic dinners
The closing event brought together the themes of wine and culinary heritage. Prof. Dr Janez Bogataj spoke about the history of festive menus at family and diplomatic tables, both in the past and today.
In 2019, the Museum Club was held for the seventeenth year running. As a sustainable adult education programme run by the Maribor Regional Museum, it once again highlighted selected aspects of cultural heritage and linked them to issues facing contemporary society. The programme was led by director Bojan Labović, who, through the central theme the bourgeoisie and the petty bourgeoisie sparked a reflection on the role of bourgeois culture, 19th-century values and their significance today.
The events explored the historical, social, psychological and cultural dimensions of the middle classes and invited distinguished experts from various fields to take part in the discussions.
The 28th of March 2019
A Mirror to the Petty Bourgeoisie
The first session was devoted to a comparison of the bourgeoisie as the driving force behind democratic, economic, scientific and cultural development, and the petty bourgeoisie as its antithesis. The development and significance of bourgeois society were discussed by historian Andrej Studen and ethnologist Dr Maja Godina Golija.
The 26th of September 2019
The Bourgeois Psyche
The meeting shed light on the psychological characteristics of the bourgeoisie and the question of how personality traits such as individualism, narcissism, restlessness and creativity have shaped bourgeois identity. The guest speakers were Dr Matjaž Lunaček, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, and Dr Jožef Magdič, a neuropsychiatrist and Jungian psychoanalyst.
24 October 2019
The Bourgeoisie and Women
The discussion addressed the position of women in bourgeois society, their role within a patriarchal environment, and their efforts to achieve greater personal and social freedom. The guests were historian Dr Mateja Ratej and journalist and columnist Ervin Hladnik Milharčič.
The 28th of November 2019
Music in the Bourgeois Home
The event highlighted the importance of music in everyday bourgeois life, particularly the role of the piano as a symbol of education, social status and cultural capital. Musicologist Dr Leon Stefanija and actor Jure Ivanušič shared their thoughts.
The 19th of December 2019
What do the Bourgeois Read?
The closing session was devoted to the role of the bourgeoisie in literature and the portrayal of the city and its inhabitants in literature. This topic was discussed by literary historian Dr Katja Mihurko Poniž and writer Dušan Šarotar.
Museum Club 2018
In 2018, the Museum Club was held for the sixteenth consecutive year. As a sustainable adult education programme run by the Maribor Regional Museum, it once again highlighted selected aspects of cultural heritage and linked them to issues facing contemporary society. The programme’s content was linked to a new storage arrangement for uniforms, which opened in May 2018, and through conversations with guests he explored the various meanings, functions and symbolism of wearing a uniform.
The discussions were led by Nives Cvikl, curator of the Maribor Regional Museum.
The 22nd of March 2018
What Does the Uniform Say?
The first session focused on uniforms as a distinguishing feature of professional and social groups. The discussion highlighted the importance of appearance in shaping identity and explored the superstitions and beliefs associated with different uniforms.
The 19th of April 2018
From Idea to Coat Hanger
The event outlined the process of creating a uniform – from the initial concept, design and choice of materials to its manufacture, use and maintenance. Particular emphasis was placed on the functionality and practical role of uniforms in everyday life.
The 25th of October 2018
Uniforms in Schools?
The discussion raised the issue of school uniforms and prompted reflection on where prescribed dress codes, social norms and the influence of fashion intersect.
The 15th of November 2018
Between Everyday Life and Folklore
The meeting explored the preservation and recreation of clothing heritage within music and folklore groups, as well as the significance of traditional clothing as a vehicle for cultural identity.
The 20th of December 2018
A Special Dress for a Special Occasion
The final session focused on dress codes for various life and social occasions. The discussion explored the symbolic messages conveyed by clothing and their significance in expressing a sense of belonging, respect and social status.
In 2017, the Museum Club – as a sustainable adult education programme run by the Maribor Regional Museum – continued to highlight specific elements of cultural heritage and link them to current issues in Slovenia and Europe. This series was dedicated to culinary heritage and the development of gastronomy, and was thematically linked to the main exhibition Kitchen Debate - Kitchen Debate, opened in June 2017.
The events brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, promoters and enthusiasts of food culture, who shed light on various aspects of nutrition, cuisine and culinary traditions. The discussions were moderated by Sašo Papp, Tadej Pungartnik and Nives Cvikl. The Higher Vocational College for Hospitality and Tourism in Maribor and local winemakers also collaborated on the programme, complementing the discussions with tastings of selected dishes and drinks.
All the meetings took place at the Castle Café of the Maribor Regional Museum.
The 16th of March 2017
From a Cart Drivers's Inn to a Trendy Restaurant
The first meeting explored the development of dining culture – from traditional carters’ inns to modern restaurants, and changing eating and socialising habits.
The 20th of April 2017
Herbs in the Culinary Arts
The talk highlighted the importance of herbs in culinary tradition, their use in everyday diets and their role in shaping local flavours.
The 12th of October 2017
The Challenges of Locally Produced Food
The meeting focused on the importance of locally produced food, sustainable food practices, and the challenges and opportunities facing the modern food system.
The 6th of November 2017
Table Etiquette
The discussion shed light on the development of table manners, their historical roots and their significance in contemporary dining culture.
The 21st of December 2017
Festive Kitchen
The closing event showcased festive culinary customs, traditional dishes and their significance in preserving cultural heritage, as well as family and local traditions.
In 2016, the Museum Club – as a sustainable adult education programme run by the Maribor Regional Museum – continued to highlight individual elements of cultural heritage and link them to current events in Slovenia and Europe. The fourteenth edition of the programme was dedicated to Music through the ages and research into intangible cultural heritage.
The series of events took visitors on a journey through the history of music from the Renaissance to the 20th century. The short concerts were accompanied by expert lectures, which highlighted the characteristics of individual musical periods and their connection to the local cultural landscape. Through music, the programme highlighted its role in shaping society, everyday life and cultural identity.
Vocal Solo Music in the Renaissance and Baroque Periods
The first session explored the development of vocal music during the Renaissance and Baroque periods and its significance in both ecclesiastical and secular life.
In the Times of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven
The event was dedicated to the music of the Classical period and the creativity of three great composers who have had a decisive influence on Europe’s musical heritage.
An Introduction to the Romantic 19th Century
The talk and concert highlighted the characteristics of musical Romanticism and the changes in the perception of art, creativity and the individual.
Music and Revolution
The event explored the link between music and social change, and its role in shaping political and cultural movements.
Music and Ballroom Dancing in the Late Romantic Era
Visitors learnt about the music that accompanied bourgeois social life and the development of dance culture in the second half of the 19th century.
Lieds: In the Footsteps of the Musical Masters Benjamin Ipavec and Hugo Wolf
The concert showcased the rich tradition of art song through the works of Benjamin Ipavec and Hugo Wolf, and highlighted their contribution to Slovenian and European musical heritage.
Muzikal
The closing night was dedicated to the musical as a contemporary musical theatre genre, which combines music, dance and dramatic storytelling and represents an important part of 20th-century cultural production.
