Slovenian hidden gem: Overjam International Reggae Festival

overjam_festival
credits: Davide Furlani

Out of the traditional circuits, “hidden gem festivals” offer a refined program and sometimes juicy side-activities. These small festivals are usually held in suggestive locations, often surrounded by green and outside urban agglomerations.Overjam International Reggae Festival is the reference point for reggae-lovers from Slovenia, Croatia, northern Italy, Austria, and more. Held in the enchanting venue in Tolmin, Overjam reminds of Jamaican landscapes according to several Jamaican artists.

The Festival

Born in 2012 (in Tolmin since 2013), Overjam Festival is organized by an Italo-Slovenian team. The main idea is to make a connection in the Alpe-Adria region between Slovenian/Italian management and local artists. Hence the name OVER-JAM. The festival usually takes place in August. Every year the festival offers great names from roots legends and dub masters to new reggae stars and emerging local artists. There are around a thousand visitors at the festival each day. Over the whole festival, around 5000 people visit the venue.

Practical Info

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rO_Zjoeht/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The easiest way to get there is to go by car or by bus. In the past, the festival has provided a shuttle bus from Gorizia. Camping is included in the festival ticket: surrounded by a green, relaxed and family-friendly environment it offers activities such as yoga, dancehall dancing class and DJ sets by the river. For its great variety of audience, it has been humorously called “Intergenerational Reggae Festival” by one of the organizers. The ticket price is 105€, camping included. More info here.

Location

Overjam Festival takes place in Tolmin, in the same venue as Punk Rock Holiday and MetalDays. The town, situated in the high valley of the Soča River, has witnessed wars and bloodshed throughout history. Nowadays, Tolmin is a peaceful and magnificent location on the border with Italy. The area offers plenty of activities and things to do such as outdoor pursuits (canyoning, paragliding, kayak…), hikes and bike excursions.

2020 edition

https://www.instagram.com/p/CD0zGsJAU8M/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Given the emergency due to COVID-19, the festival didn’t take place in 2020. Despite this, an online event was streamed on the days when Overjam 2020 should have been held.

For more information check out the official Facebook event.

Past lineups

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxcHCg8ApEy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/Biz04nrH3e5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSblDmKh7NT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link