15.7.2026
Second good news of the day: one day registration is now open!
Those of you who lack time for participation in the full weekend can join us on the day that suits you best.
Number of spots is limited so be quick to register before they run out!
Register here: https://hemaslovenica.eu/2026-2/31-2/
Registration ends 1st of August 2026.
15.7.2026
Our schedule is ready!
12.7.2026
Jerca Primc will teach skills that any street-smart gent in Edwardian London would appreciate having at disposal.
About the instructor:
I’ve always felt at home in sticky situations, so my gateway drug into HEMA came as no surprise to anyone. I’ve dabbed in cane fighting in its various forms; from competitive sport, to defensive and dueling techniques. In 2010, i have gathered a band of stick fighting enthusiats under the flag of Canne klub Kamnik. Its members continue to terrorize a certain slovene mountain range, to this day.
Workshop:
“Swinging in the rain”
What’s your go-to comfort on a rainy day? Box of cookies? Cup of coffee? Or perhaps….a can of whoopass? This workshop will focus on utilizing a wonderful self defense weapon – the umbrella. Join us in learning how the gentry of the late 19th/early 20th century London was instructed on dealing with the dangers the city might have thrown their way. Courtesy of our cool uncle and cane wizard: E. W. Barton – Wright.
Level: Beginner 
Required gear: Mask, gloves 
8.7.2026
Hailing from Academia artis dimicatoriae, Matic Zupan will be leading a longsword workshop that’s … not for the feint of heart.
About the instructor:
I started training HEMA in 2018. After trying out several weapons in my first year, I settled on longsword, which has remained my main focus ever since. Coming from AAD, my training is mostly based on Joachim Meyer. I have also spent some time learning rapier, and I am always happy to pick up a sabre for a sparring or two. Over the years, I have attended various workshops in Slovenia and abroad and gradually became more involved in helping with longsword training sessions in AAD. In the past year, I have also started competing more actively in tournaments.
Workshop:
“Feint it till you make it”
Feints are one of those things everyone knows they should use, yet they often end up looking like either a completely honest attack or a suspicious little sword wiggle that convinces absolutely no one. In this workshop, we will take a practical look at feints in longsword fencing: when to use them, how to make them believable and how distance and timing affect everything. A good feint is not just pretending to attack — it is giving your opponent a real problem, forcing them to answer it and then making them regret answering too soon.
Level: The workshop is built around useful principles rather than overly complicated tricks, making it suitable for fencers of all experience levels.
Required gear: Longsword, mask, gloves, jacket, chest protector, groin protector.
6.7.2026
Our next instructor, Franziska Müller, will be leading a sickle workshop!
About the instructor:
I began my fencing journey in 2019 with the longsword. I have trained at Schwert & Bogen ever since and have been teaching there for over four years. I am currently helping to organise the kids training. I have also gained experience in kickboxing and jiu-jitsu, which further developed my passion for fighting. Learning different movement patterns and engaging in physical activity brings me great joy, which I love to share with others.
Workshop:
“Harvest people – not herbs”
This workshop is about fighting with the sickle, a peasant weapon for which Paulus Hector Mair left written records. In his books he not only focused on classic knightly weapons, but also incorporated elements of peasant combat arts. We will explore the basic movement patterns and principles of the sickle in a playful and experiential manner and take a look at one of the written sickle plays. Due to the distance at which the sickle is used, we will also practise friendly embraces and wrestling.
Level: all levels
Gear: light gloves, training sickles – i will bring some to borrow if you don’t have one 
3.7.2026
Aljaž Košmerlj will introduce us to the complex but beautiful rhythm of rapier and dagger.
About the instructor:
Having started my HEMA journey way back at the start of the millennium (as I realise with horror), I have swung some type of sword for most of my life now. At the start I trained mostly in German longsword in the vein of Joachim Meyer. For the past dozen or so years however my focus has been almost entirely on the rapier and I have been running the rapier group in Academia Artis Dimicatoriae in Ljubljana.
Though the majority of my study so far has centered on Italian sources, I have been expanding my knowledge in Destreza for the past two years as part of the Academia da Espada.
Workshop:
“Managing Space with a Rapier and Dagger”
Our weapons shape the space around us, dividing it into zones of threat and opportunity; with rapier and dagger, this becomes more complex, sometimes feeling like an impenetrable wall in the opponent’s hands and strangely full of gaps in our own. In this workshop we’ll explore practical principles of space management from the Italian tradition—mainly Giganti—to understand how different dagger positions (“sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes extended”) strengthen or weaken our defense, feints, and attacks.
Level: beginner or medium
Required gear: rapier, dagger, and mask required. Intensity will be moderate, but groin and chest protection are strongly recommended; for higher-intensity work, they become mandatory, along with a fencing jacket.
1.7.2026
Next up in our lineup, Luka Grifoni with a sabre workshop.
About the instructor:
I started my HEMA journey in 2021 with the very good people and fencers of Ars Gladiatoria in Zagreb, and since then I’ve become an instructor as well as participated in a number of tournaments and workshops
Though my journey started with longsword and Meyer, I soon found an affinity for sidesword and the Bolognese masters, which is still my main weapon of choice, with the occasional dabbling in saber, smallsword and various sidearm combinations for the sidesword.
Workshop:
“Cuts from below – an impolite conversation”
A short summary on some uses of the various cuts from below paired with a neat and unnecessary metaphor.
Level: all levels
Required gear: full protective gear for steel sabers. Mask, groin protector and undergloves for foam sabers (chest protector optional)
Next in the instructor lineup – Luca Venchi, leading a longsword workshop.
About the instructor:
Co-founder of the ASD SeptemCustodie association in Trieste, Italy, in 2007.
Level I Olympic fencing coach and national historical fencing instructor since 2013, FIS (Italian Fencing Federation).
In the past, I have taught several seminars on longsword and dussack. I am a great admirer of German fencing, particularly the treatises of Joachim Meyer and the manuscript 3227a “Hanko Dobringer.”
Workshop:
“Sword manipulation through the Meyer square”
Through my personal interpretation of the square exercise, we play at reconstructing the movements and cuts we can perform with the longsword in an exercise that may never end.
Level: all levels
Gear: a longsword is required for all exercises, but protections such as a mask, gloves and other protective gear could be used for some pair exercises or some examples.
22.6.2026
Our next instructor, Alen Lovrič, will be leading a dagger workshop.
About the instructor:
A connoisseur of all things sharp and pointy, Alen started his HEMA journey a long time ago, in a place that is doubtlessly far away for some of you. Though his training was thorough and challenging, not even swords could beat the dumbassery out of him, so he had no choice but to channel it into his approach to HEMA. Besides the twenty years of training HEMA and the art of silliness, he has been an instructor to many international events, and is an active competitor in tournaments. He likes having fun, and figures hitting people with weapons is the apex of having fun.
Workshop:
“DAGGER DAGGER DAGGER”
Dagger is such a lovely weapon. A dagger duel is like two people fighting each other wielding wolverines – although your opponent is definitely in for a bad time, you’ll probably catch a few strays as well.
Since dagger is sadly not a very common weapon, we will be looking at just a few simple techniques, which we will also try to incorporate into some light sparring with simulators that are the farthest things from actual weapons. If you ever met me, you might know what they are.
Level: beginner
Gear: mask, if you can bring gloves with knuckle protectors, even better. Regular HEMA gloves are mostly too bulky. Jacket will be optional.
21.6.2026
With the new name also comes a new visual identity.
The HEMA Slovenica symbol, our fencer, draws inspiration from the Vače Situla and elements of local cultural heritage, paired with tones inspired by aged and polished bronze.
The idea behind the design is simple: taking something old, studying it carefully, and giving it new life through practice — much like HEMA itself.
While the visual identity is new, the foundations of the event remain unchanged.
Come see the charm of our event and meet wonderful HEMA people – 19th & 20th September 2026 in Ljubljana, Slovenia! 
18.6.2026
Registration for HEMA Slovenica 2026 is officially OPEN! 
Redesigned, recharged, and ready, we invite you to secure your spot at the main Slovenian HEMA gathering of the season.
Grab an Early Bird spot to secure a discounted price – it ends 30 June 2026.
What to expect?
– workshops for various weapons and skill levels
– plenty of free sparring with local and other fencers
– the essential dinner to connect with the community
– other wonderful activities that will make the weekend memorable
Don’t wait too long—spots are limited!
Register here: https://hemaslovenica.eu/2026-2/31-2/
See you in Ljubljana! 
3.6.2026
The date is set!
Make sure to jot down 19th and 20th of September 2026 in the calendar.
We will open registrations for HEMA Slovenica within the next week or two. 
23.5.2026
Hello, everyone!
After many years, many editions, and many conversations, the event formerly known as HEMA Celje is entering a new chapter.
From now on, the event will be known as HEMA Slovenica. 
Why?
Over time, the event has grown beyond its original local scope and is by now a well-established meeting point for HEMA practitioners from across Slovenia and abroad. The new name reflects that development and the broader community that has shaped the event through the years.
What else is changing?
Along with the new name comes a new visual identity, while the core of the event remains the same: the people, the atmosphere, the approach, and the shared practice.
Stay updated
In the coming days, the existing HEMA Celje social media channels will gradually transition to the new name and visual identity. All previous content, photos, and memories will remain available.
We will update the contact information as well – until then, and later, we remain available via messenger on this profile.
More information and updates will follow soon.
Welcome to HEMA Slovenica! 