Ongoing open air festival MetalDays 2023 in Slovenia cancelled, due to heavy rain

Similar to the ongoing Wacken Open Air 2023 in Northern Germany, the MetalDays 2023 in Slovenia are also affected by heavy rainfall. This morning, the organisers of the open air festival in Velenje, Slovenia’s sixth-largest city, published the following statement:

“Last night most parts of Slovenia were hit by the heavy rain, which resulted in severe flooding. This has hits us as well, and must now start to slowly move you out from Camping & Parking Zone and Group Camping. Please don’t attempt to drive out if you are stuck in the mud. Tractors will help cars that are stuck in the mud. Some of them are already in action, and more are on the way. It is important to stay calm, and to not cause jam trying to get out of the camp. National Guard and fire brigade are informed as well. Please follow the instructions of the security personnel! Your safety is our highest priority, so please be cooperative. For now, the program is still on, but we will post more info in our next post. Our main communication channels will be social media, where we will also post updates and changes so please follow it regularly!!” – MetalDays

In the meantime, a state of emergency has been declared and the rest of the festival has been cancelled, though visitors are asked not to leave Velenje “as all streets are closed for safety reasons”:

“Important notice! State of Emergency: The authorities have declared a state of emergency, indicating a serious situation that requires immediate action. Festival Cancellation: The last day of the festival is canceled, and no shows will happen due to the current situation. No Leaving Velenje: It’s advised not to attempt to leave Velenje, as all streets are closed for safety reasons. Accommodation at Rdeca Dvorana: Visitors are asked to go to Rdeca Dvorana, where accommodation free of charge is organized for them. Shuttles to Rdeca Dvorana: Shuttles will be arranged from the Box Office to transport visitors to the accommodation area. Dry Tents Area: Those who are still in dry tents and not in the flooded festival area should stay there until further notice. Operating Bars and Food: For those still at the festival, bars and food facilities are still operational. Follow Personnel’s Instructions: It’s important to follow the instructions given by the event personnel and authorities. Stay Updated: Visitors should stay tuned for further information and updates from the organizers. Safety is the top priority during emergencies like this, so it’s essential to remain calm, follow instructions, and cooperate with the authorities and event organizers. If you are in Velenje during this situation, please act responsibly and take the necessary precautions for your safety.” – MetalDays

In a later post, it was added that the highway is closed and that there are “also severe floods on the local roads, many landslides and other threatening things.” Visitors are asked to spend the upcoming hours indoors or in a safe area. Updates are regularly announced amongst others on the facebook page of MetalDays.