SyntaxFest 2025 | Ljubljana, Slovenia

Venue

The conference will be held at the Faculty of Law, University of Ljubljana (Poljanski nasip 2, 1000 Ljubljana). Situated in the heart of Ljubljana, the venue is conveniently located just steps away from the Ljubljanica River, the local market and the iconic Dragon Bridge, symbolizing the city's mythical ties to dragons.

The conference venue is only a 5-minute walk from Prešeren Square and a 10-minute walk from Ljubljana's main railway station.

About Ljubljana

Nestled in Central Europe between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, Ljubljana combines the conveniences of a modern capital with the charm and friendliness of a small town. Although it is Slovenia's capital and largest city, its compact size makes getting around by bus or bike effortless. Whether you're a history lover, a foodie, an art fan, or an outdoor enthusiast, Ljubljana has something for everyone. The picturesque car-free city center boasts many unique sights like the Ljubljana Castle, the Triple Bridge, and the Dragon Bridge. Its surrounding landscapes, rich in natural beauty and cultural treasures, are famous for their walking, hiking, and cycling trails, as well as their diverse culinary experiences. For more information on Ljubljana, please see the official webpage of Ljubljana Tourism.

Image of Ljubljana — **View of Ljubljanica river with Prešeren Square in the background** © Blaž Pogačar, Ljubljana Tourism photo library

**View of Ljubljana** by Tiia Monto, used under CC BY-SA 3.0.

View of Ljubljanica river with a boat — **View of Ljubljanica River** © Andrej Tarfila, www.slovenia.info media library

Lucien Tesnière and Ljubljana

Image of Lucien Tesnière — Lucien Tesnière

The city has a special connection to the renowned French linguist Lucien Tesnière (1893–1954), celebrated for laying the groundwork for the theory of dependency grammar and his extensive work with Slavic languages. Tesnière lived in Ljubljana between 1920 and 1924 to collect material for his doctoral thesis, Les formes du duel en slovène, which focused on the dual grammatical number—a feature still actively used in the Slovene language today. During his stay, he served as the first French language lecturer at the University of Ljubljana and played a key role in the establishment of the Institut Français, serving as its first director. Tesnière’s ties to Slovenia endured long after his departure, as he was honored as a corresponding member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SAZU), reflecting the lasting impact of his work on the region.