The first part of the program for residents was focused on getting to know Kranj, which was one of the most important industrial areas of the former Yugoslavia. The attraction of the city, whose old part is located on a hill through which the Kokra River flows and creates one of the largest urban canyons in the world, are the tunnels under the city. The tunnels were built for the purpose of shelters, which were later used for mushroom cultivation, warehouses and, last but not least, as festival and exhibition venues. Then we got to know the historical part of the city, whose center was called Hitler's Square during the Third Reich, and today this area is dominated by art institutions dedicated to the Slovenian poet France Prešeren, who was born and lived in Kranj. We walked and visited the premises, starting with the Prešeren Theater, the museum dedicated to Prešeren, and the gallery of Prešeren laureates - this is the highest award for culture in Slovenia. We ended the walk by mentioning a few other famous cultural figures who worked here, including Leopold Layer. Layer lived and worked in what is now the Layer House cultural center, where our residents Diona and Ismail are based during their residency. Layer House contains three exhibition spaces and one intermedia space, a workshop space, residencies, a space for house cats, offices, a bar, and a large courtyard. We also toured the entire complex. Thanks Mateja Zore and Lea Vidmar for great hospitality.
