Slovene Ethnographic Museum – SEM

The Slovene Ethnographic Museum is the country’s foremost ethnological museum responsible for the keeping, preservation, study and comprehension of collections of artefacts related to Slovenian and non-European material, social and spiritual culture. The Museum was founded in 1923, when it separated from the National Museum of Slovenia. Its earliest origins go back to the collections put together by the Provincial Museum of Carniola (Deželni muzej za Kranjsko), established in 1821.

In order to present traditional culture of Slovenian inhabited areas and the cultures of several other peoples of the world, the Slovene Ethnographic Museum presents a programme of exhibitions and other events related to Slovenians (including Slovenian ethnic minorities abroad and expatriates) and other European and non-European peoples, runs a programme of educational events, and releases various publications. Exhibited artefacts and museum activities cover both material cultural heritage related to everyday and ceremonial life and the intangible heritage of knowledge, values, skills, wisdom and creativity.

The Slovene Ethnographic Museum also incorporates a weavers’ workshop, a museum shop called Lectarija and a café.

Permanent exhibition: Between Nature and Culture
The Slovene Ethnographic Museum’s permanent exhibition of over 3,000 items presents the treasury of Slovenia’s and the world’s ethnological heritage. It provides an insight into the purposes of exhibited artefacts and the ways our ancestors used them, and traces their transformations over time and space.

Permanent exhibition: I, we and others: images of my world
An exhibition dedicated to man and his place in the world
From man’s social nature there arises a need for a sense of belonging – among people, in time and space. Through relations with others we each seek answers to questions and shape our perception of the world. The environment that shapes each one of us determines how we interact, see, feel and evaluate people and things, concepts and ideas, knowledge and experience, the past and the future.
The exhibition offers a breathing space among everyday obligations and a chance to contemplate yourself and others, to reflect on the world and the life that we lead. We hope to bring about a sense of wonder and joy at the lively multitude of images of many different worlds. We do not offer simple solutions: this is a space in which to ask questions and seek your own answers, to exchange ideas and experiences.