Audio system from Colombia to Zurich, a Barista Battle, a Latte Artwork Throwdown, limitless tastings, and a documentary premiere: the Ljubljana Espresso Pageant 2026 is shaping as much as be its most bold version since launching in 2016.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photographs courtesy of Ljubljana Espresso Pageant
The Ljubljana Espresso Pageant turns ten this 12 months—and for the event, it’s transferring to a brand new house. Heart Rog, a not too long ago renovated cultural and inventive hub within the coronary heart of Ljubljana, will host the pageant’s 2026 version on September 26 and 27, 2026.
It’s a becoming venue for what guarantees to be essentially the most bold program the pageant has put collectively because it launched in 2016.
“Heart Rog is an area that was constructed for precisely this sort of gathering—inventive, open, and rooted in group. Shifting right here felt like a pure subsequent step for the pageant, and I believe guests will instantly really feel the distinction,” says Peter Ševic, founding father of Stow Espresso and director of the Ljubljana Espresso Pageant.
The Lab: The place the Trade Talks
On the heart of the pageant’s mental program is The Lab, a lecture and workshop sequence bringing collectively among the most influential voices in world espresso. The 2026 speaker lineup is robust. Lori Brncic from Filteraj in Zagreb will current on espresso and plant-based milk pairing, exploring the science behind microfoamy options.
Nestor Lasso of El Diviso in Colombia—one of the crucial talked-about names in experimental processing—will current on fermentation methods and the flavour unlocking potential behind his work on the farm. Dr. Samo Smrke from ZHAW in Zurich, Switzerland—one of the crucial revered espresso scientists working at the moment—will take a deep take a look at espresso’s previous, current, and future, and lead a hands-on sensory session on fermented flavors.
The Lab additionally hosts a documentary movie premiere: Colombia, the Origin of Excellence, introduced by Mojca Mavec—one among Slovenia’s most acknowledged tv presenters and journey journalists—alongside Stow Espresso. It’s the sort of programming that distinguishes Ljubljana from the extra trade-show-forward occasions on the European calendar.
Panel Discussion board: A Area Tells Its Story
Sunday’s program closes with the LCF Panel Discussion board, this 12 months devoted to tracing the evolution of specialty espresso throughout Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia—the place it started, who constructed it, and the place it goes subsequent.
Panelists are but to be introduced, however the subject itself indicators one thing value listening to: The specialty-coffee scene throughout the previous Yugoslav states has been creating quietly and persistently for years, and this feels just like the second the area is able to discuss itself by itself phrases.
“The specialty-coffee scene throughout Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia has been constructing for years, usually with out a lot recognition from the broader business. This discussion board is our means of claiming—it’s time to inform that story ourselves, in our personal phrases,” says Peter.
The Competitions
The Barista Battle Problem 2026 pits baristas from throughout Europe in opposition to one another throughout 4 disciplines—espresso, latte artwork, cupping, and a signature drink—in one of many extra creatively demanding competitors codecs on the regional circuit.
Working alongside it’s the Latte Artwork Throwdown Slovenia, a knockout-style open competitors that has grow to be one of many pageant’s most energetic and accessible sights for each opponents and spectators.
Tastings, Roasters, and the Sensory Room
Past the stage, the pageant spreads throughout six program zones. The Roasters Village brings collectively worldwide roasters and inexperienced espresso importers showcasing seasonal specialty tons. The Slovenian Roasters Zone offers devoted area to the nation’s personal specialty-coffee scene. The Sensory Cupping Room hosts curated cuppings with importers and roasters together with Cofinet, Unroasted, Cata Export, Grounds, Mae Espresso, and Covoya—an unusually sturdy lineup for a regional occasion.
Workshops run throughout each days, protecting espresso fundamentals, pourover, latte artwork, and Turkish espresso, all led by trainers from Stow Espresso Academy and designed for house brewers and curious fanatics alike. La Marzocco House can be on website with hands-on activations that includes the Micra, Mini, GS3, and Strada X. Modbar can be pouring throughout each days. The Mixology Zone brings espresso cocktails into the combination, alongside artisanal road meals from YAUYA Patisserie.
Sensible Info
The Ljubljana Espresso Pageant takes place on September 26 and 27, 2026 at Heart Rog, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Tickets and additional data can be found at ljubljanacoffeefestival.si.
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior on-line correspondent for Barista Journal and a contract copywriter and editor with a major concentrate on the espresso area of interest. She has additionally been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, offering content material to assist educate folks about baristas and their work.
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Be part of us at Camp Espresso Store Aug. 10-13 in Napa, California.
