Reku reku is a storytelling festival organised by Publishing House Goga in Novo mesto, Slovenia. Rooted in the former Novo mesto Short festival, Reku reku celebrates the timeless art of storytelling by bringing together acclaimed Slovenian and international writers, poets and storytellers. Throughout the year, the festival hosts literary evenings at Goga Bookshop & Café, culminating in a three-day festival at the end of August. Each evening revolves around a shared theme, inviting authors to respond through personal stories, fiction, humour and reflection. By blending literature, conversation and live performance, REKU REKU creates an intimate atmosphere where stories become a meeting point between writers and audiences from different cultures.

The 2026 festival explores universal themes such as youth, power, memory, everyday life and European identity, while concluding with an evening of music inspired by Brazilian bossa nova. Reku Reku Storytelling Festival is named after a Novo mesto expression used as a playful, sceptical response to a doubtful claim, roughly equivalent to the English expressions "Yeah, right" or  “Tell me another one”.

Festival Programme

25 August 2026, 20:00

Youth Is Madness
Everyone says youth is madness, but perhaps only after it has passed. This storytelling evening reflects on growing up, first loves, unforgettable mistakes and the moment we realise our parents may have been right after all.

Guests
Jernej Balant 
Mojca Petaros 
Rado Trifković 
Gašper Turk 
Jedrt Jež Furlan 

26 August 2026 | 20:00

Bread and Circuses

Who decides who gets bread, who gets entertainment and who pays the price? Inspired by the ancient Roman expression, this evening explores power, social inequality, distraction and the games that shape contemporary society.

Guests
Alojzija Zupan Sosič 
Nejc Gazvoda 
Ajda Bračič 
Boris Kokalj 
Andrej Rozman Roza 

REKU REKU x CELA – Literary Eurotrip

27 August 2026 | 19:00
Novo mesto, Slovenia

As part of the European platform CELA (Connecting Emerging Literary Artists), REKU REKU presents Literary Eurotrip, a journey through contemporary European literature.

Rather than asking whether a single European literature exists, the discussion celebrates Europe's diversity of languages, cultures and literary traditions. Together, authors and translators explore how stories travel across borders and how translation creates new literary encounters between cultures.

Guests
Boris Džinić (Croatia) and his translator Natalija Milovanović 
Gijs Wilbrink (The Netherlands) and his translator Tina Jurman 
Moderated by Aljoša Harlamov.

Barefoot Summer

27 August 2026 | 20:00
Novo mesto, Slovenia

Summer is the season when we lose track of time, walk barefoot and make decisions that seem questionable by autumn. Barefoot Summer brings together international writers who share stories of unforgettable summers, family memories, unexpected encounters and moments that stay with us long after the season ends.

Guests

Andra Rotaru (Romania) 
Gijs Wilbrink (The Netherlands) 
Boris Džinić (Serbia)
Velibor Čolić (Bosnia and Herzegovina / France) 

The event will be held in English and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian with Slovenian interpretation.

Bossa Goga

27 August 2026 | 21:00

The festival concludes with Bossa Goga, a live concert celebrating Brazilian bossa nova, Latin American rhythms and jazz. Bringing stories to a close without words, the evening offers a relaxed musical farewell to the festival and to summer.