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How the Mladi Levi Festival Put Greenstage in Motion

The performing arts sector faces a well-known paradox: while live theatre thrives on fleeting moments of connection, traditional festival logistics - from long-distance travel and massive set transport to single-use materials and energy-heavy rigs - leave a significant ecological footprint.

At the Mladi Levi International Festival from August 22 until August 29, 2026, in Ljubljana, organized by the cultural institute Bunker, this challenge was placed front and center. As a key partner in the Greenstage project, Bunker utilized this year’s edition of Mladi Levi not just as a space for international performance, but as a real-world testing ground for sustainable arts practices and circular stage design.

From Framework to Stage Floor

Greenstage works across Europe to equip cultural organizations with concrete methodologies for decarbonization. Most notably through tools like the SAPA (Sustainability Assessment for the Performing Arts) self-assessment framework and the Zero Waste Stage Toolbox.

Within this network, Bunker plays a crucial role in developing the Zero Waste Stage Performance Lab. The ambition is straightforward: turn degrowth theory and circular economy models into everyday theatrical practice. Rather than treating eco-responsibility as an afterthought, such as merely setting up recycling bins at venue entrances, Mladi Levi embeds green logic directly into its curatorial and operational framework.

Highlights from the Eco-Curatorial Program

Throughout the festival, Ljubljana’s iconic Stara Elektrarna (The Old Power Station) and neighboring public spaces hosted a series of initiatives that challenged traditional production modes:

• Stage Works in Focus: The artistic program brought together forward-thinking contemporary works, ranging from Beton Ltd.’s Phenomenal Reality and Maja Delak's Declarations to international pieces like De Utvalgte's My Twisted World and Basel Zaraa's intimate interactive installation What Will We Do Without Exile?. These productions reflected a shared artistic desire to interrogate contemporary crises, human care, and environmental stewardship without reliance on resource-heavy visual spectacle.
• MANIFEST LESS Platform: A central two-day gathering dedicated entirely to sustainable practices in performance. The platform featured Alexandra Papademetriou's Degrowth Toolbox For Artistic Practices, offering artists practical guidance on designing low-impact tours and reused scenography, as well as discussion cafes focused on care, repair, and long-term sustainability over constant novelty. This is where you will be able to meet our Greenstage project partners, who will introduce the public with their own sustainability practices.
• The Spontaneous Pause Area (SPA): Designed by Karolína Kotrbová, this dedicated relaxation zone at the Old Power Station offered audiences and artists a place to rest—framing mental well-wellbeing, recovery, and a slower pace as essential ingredients of a sustainable creative ecosystem.
• Radical Accessibility: True sustainability in the Greenstage model encompasses social inclusion. By maintaining its symbolic €1 ticket policy (with optional donations), Mladi Levi ensures that the green transition in performance arts remains democratic and deeply rooted in the local community.

Discover the Full Lineup

To explore the complete schedule of artistic interventions, stage works, and eco-conscious workshops from this edition, you can view the full Mladi Levi Festival Program.

Building a Shared European Vision

As Bunker prepares for upcoming editions of Mladi Levi, the experience gathered through the Greenstage project highlights a clear path forward: eco-friendly choices do not diminish artistic quality. By slowing down production rhythms, sharing tools, and centering community care, Mladi Levi demonstrates how European festivals can actively shape a greener, more resilient performing arts sector.