EN
Tweets from the PastSlovenian archaeology through sounds, symbols and first written words
4. 2. 2026 to 23. 8. 2026

Tweets from the Past

Slovenian archaeology through sounds, symbols and first written words

Occasional exhibition, on display from 4 February to 23 August 2026, CD Gallery – Cankarjev dom, entrance from Prešernova Street, Ljubljana
The exhibition aims to present Slovenian archaeology through objects that, with their sounds, symbols or written words, in addition to the way people lived in the past, reveal to us the slightly deeper dimension of their spirituality, entertainment and explanation of the world around them. Each object included tells a story and was made, handled, treasured, worn, consumed, lost or discarded by someone who lived or wandered through the territory of today's Slovenia. Individual objects, for example whistles, rattles, figurines, objects with Venetian inscriptions, etc., allow access to presentations of important Slovenian sites and to the narrative of the past of Slovenia as narrated through archaeology.

All these objects, with their sounds, symbols or inscriptions, provide an insight into that slightly deeper dimension of our ancestors’ spirituality, amusement and ways of explaining the world. They show the human need for expressing something abstract, for creating the symbolic and for permanently recording stories, vows and even taboo words.
The exhibition is held under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar.
On a gray background there lies the find made of brownish bone, slightly damaged on both sides, with two perfectly preserved holes.
The Neanderthal Flute – the oldest musical instrument (National Museum of Slovenia)
A small, simple statue made of brown ceramic, its surface decorated with lines.
Female figurine from the Copper Age – a first human depiction from Slovenian territory (Pomurje Museum Murska Sobota)
The square metal plate is decorated with beads around the edge, with a convex circle and a hole in the middle, and the space in between has convex symbols that are somewhat similar to modern writing.
Silver offering plaque with inscription in Venetic script – the oldest script from Slovenian territory (Tolmin museum)
The exhibition makes its Slovenian premiere at the Cankarjev dom Gallery, in cooperation with the National Museum of Slovenia.

Partners: Celje Regional Museum, Pomurje Museum Murska Sobota, Ptuj Ormož Regional Museum, Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana, Dolenjska Museum Novo mesto, Koper Regional Museum, Gorenjska Museum Kranj, Goriška Regional Museum Nova Gorica, Tolmin Museum
Logo with the name of the institution and the letter c in an open circle
Cankarjev dom
Logos of the general sponsor, the Perspektiva Group, and all nine participating museums
Partners

Opening hours and Admission

The Tweets from the Past exhibition is on display at the CD Gallery in Ljubljana, entrance from 10 Prešernova Street. The exhibition is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm. 

Admission
     €8
     €6 (visitors aged under 25, over 65 and pensioners)
     Children aged under 6 enjoy free admission.
     €16 Families (up to two adults and up to three children aged under 25)

Combined ticket for CD Gallery and the National Museum of Slovenia
     €10
     €7.5 (visitors aged under 25, over 65 and pensioners)
     Children aged under 6 enjoy free admission.
     €20 (Families (up to two adults and up to three children aged under 25)

School groups and groups of visitors aged under 25 and over 65 (more than 10 persons) 
     CD Gallery: €4 / person
     Combined ticket (CD Gallery and the National Museum of Slovenia): €6 / person
     Guided tours: admission fee, and guided tour surcharge: €20 / group
     Tour bookings (CD Gallery): kristina.jermancic@cd-cc.si and +386 51 374 541

Other groups (more than 10 persons)
     CD Gallery: €5 / person 
     Combined ticket (CD Gallery and the National Museum of Slovenia): €6.5 / person

Guided tour
     Admission fee, and guided tour surcharge: €20 / group
     Guided tours last between 45 and 60 minutes (advance booking required two days before the desired date).
     Tour bookings: prijave@cd-cc.si and +386 51 374 541

Public guided tours
     The CD Gallery public guided tours take place every Thursday at 18.00 in Slovenian. The guided tours are free of charge; only the admission fee applies.
     Guided tours in English by appointment only.
     The availability of places on the guided tour is limited.

The exhibition is in Slovenian and English. All activities are conducted in Slovenian:

Exhibition catalogue

Čivki iz preteklosti. Slovenska arheologija skozi zvoke, simbole in prve zapisane besede

Edited by Daša Pavlovič
2026, 303 pp, hardcover, 23 x 28 cm, ISBN 978-961-6981-84-2
Language: Slovenian
Price: €40

Tweets from the Past. Slovenian Archaeology through Sounds, Symbols and First Written Words

Edited by Daša Pavlovič
2023, 303 pp, hardcover, 23 x 28 cm, ISBN 978-961-6981-71-2
Language: English
Price: €35

First exhibition setup in Frankfurt

The exhibition was launched in autumn 2023 as part of the events accompanying the Frankfurt Book Fair and the Guest of Honor Slovenia. 

It won prestigious awards from professional associations: the Valvasor Carnation (Slovenian Museum Association); and the Recognition of the Archaeological Society of Slovenia.