Ptuj, 29 January 2026 – With great pride, we announce that the City Municipality of Ptuj has received the prestigious international PRO PR Globe Communication Achievement Award – World’s Best of the Best in the field of culture and heritage in Rome, thereby placing Ptuj among the most successful communication projects in the world.
The award was presented for the long-standing successful organization and management of the communication strategy of the Kurentovanje carnival, which represents an outstanding example of preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage. The festival makes a significant contribution to the recognition of national values, traditions, and identity at both the national and international levels.
The jury placed particular emphasis on the high-quality, consistent, and authentic communication of cultural values, which brings traditional content closer to contemporary audiences, strengthens a sense of community belonging, and builds a positive image of the city and the country.
The World’s Best of the Best program is held under the auspices of the PRO PR Globe Awards, within which 76 international judges and specialized expert panels evaluate projects from around the world based on rigorous communication criteria. They unanimously concluded that Ptuj, through its comprehensive communication approach, transparent processes, and long-term understanding of the importance of culture, has achieved a level of excellence worthy of the highest recognition. The PRO PR Globe Awards are presented in the field of integrated communications, recognizing organizations that understand communication as a strategic tool for building positive visibility, trust, and long-term societal impact.
The recognition also includes a unique graphic identity and an official communication seal, which the City of Ptuj will be able to use in its communications, on promotional materials, products, and other visual content.
The PRO PR Globe recognition comes in a year when Ptuj was also named the Best City of Cultural Heritage in Europe, further confirming that authenticity, respect for heritage, and strong community engagement are universal values.
In this regard, the City Municipality of Ptuj emphasizes that Kurentovanje is not just a carnival, but a living story of the people, volunteers, associations, and everyone who helps bring it to life year after year.
In her speech when receiving the award, Mayor Nuška Gajšek highlighted the significance of the award for our city and expressed gratitude to all who contributed to it:
“On behalf of the City Municipality of Ptuj, I sincerely thank you for this prestigious recognition. We accept it with great pride and a strong sense of responsibility.
Kurentovanje is not just a carnival – it is a living cultural heritage that has connected the community for decades, preserved identity, and passed traditions from generation to generation. It reflects the remarkable creativity of the people, the power of volunteerism, and the deep connection between tradition and contemporary life.
Ptuj is the oldest city in Slovenia, a place where culture has always been the foundation of both history and everyday life.
We are greatly honored that our efforts to preserve and promote cultural heritage have been recognized at the international level as well.
This recognition comes in a year when Ptuj was awarded the title of “Best City of Cultural Heritage in Europe,” which we understand as a further confirmation that authenticity, respect for heritage, and strong community engagement are universal values.
Finally, my deepest and most sincere gratitude goes to all those who help bring Kurentovanje to life.
Without you, this story would not exist.”