BIEN 2027 Textile Art Biennial

BIEN 2027 Textile Art Biennial is the fourth edition of Slovenia's international biennial of contemporary textile art. From 29 May to 14 August 2027, exhibitions spread across four towns in the Gorenjska region: Kranj, Tržič, Škofja Loka and Jesenice. The theme for 2027 is "Traces of Grace", and the openings in each town run from 29 May to 3 June 2027.

About the BIEN 2027 Textile Art Biennial

BIEN was first held in 2021 and has taken place every two years since, in 2023 and 2025. It treats textile in the widest sense: weaving, embroidery, knitting and felt, but also sculpture, installation, design and research that work with textile through material, technique or idea.

The biennial is built around an international open call, so the exhibited works come from artists and collectives all over the world, chosen by a jury. The 2025 edition, on the theme of air, brought together around 80 artists, collectives, makers and researchers and more than 200 textile and design students, in more than 25 venues ranging from galleries and libraries to heritage sites. In Kranj, the main venue of past editions has been the Layer House.

What to Expect

• A biennial on the move: exhibitions spread across four towns, which makes BIEN as much a short trip around Gorenjska as a gallery visit
• Contemporary textile art: from hand-woven and embroidered pieces to large installations and experimental design
• Young makers: past editions have included a large student programme, and the 2027 awards include a prize for makers under 29
• Historic settings: the towns combine old centres, castles and industrial heritage with contemporary work

2027 Programme

The openings take place between 29 May and 3 June 2027, and the main award, a residency in Kranj, is announced at the opening in Kranj on 29 May. The exhibitions stay open until 14 August 2027. The list of artists, venues and opening hours will be published closer to the biennial; this guide will be updated when they are.

Who Is It For?

• Visitors interested in textile art, craft and design
• Weavers, embroiderers, fashion and textile students looking for current international work
• Travellers in Slovenia who want to combine art with towns such as Škofja Loka and Kranj
• Artists who might apply to future editions and want to see the scale of the biennial

Tickets

Admission details for 2027 have not been announced yet. Check the official BIEN website before you go, as entry conditions can differ between venues.

Things to Know

• Four towns: Kranj, Tržič, Škofja Loka and Jesenice are all in the Gorenjska region of north-west Slovenia, within easy reach of each other.
• Getting there: Kranj lies about 25 km north-west of Ljubljana, and Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport is close to the town. The towns are connected by road and regional rail and bus services.
• Plan more than one day: visiting every venue in four towns is easier over a weekend.
• Check each venue: museums, galleries and heritage sites taking part may keep their own opening days and hours, so confirm them before travelling from one town to the next, especially on Mondays and public holidays.
• Openings: if you can, time your visit with the openings between 29 May and 3 June 2027, when artists are present.
• Are you an artist? The open call for this biennial closes on 21 December 2026. Read our guide to the BIEN 2027 open call.

Attend the BIEN 2027 Textile Art Biennial

Planning a visit?

Visit BIEN 2027

Venues, opening hours and the full programme will be published on the official BIEN website.

Looking for more to see? Browse all events, festivals and exhibitions on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 9, 2026