Kardum, Simon (Postojna, 01/04/1962), cultural policy strategist, journalist. In 1988 he graduated in Slovenian language and literature as well as Philosophy from the Faculty of Arts, Ljubljana. In years 1988-1997 he worked as a dramaturg for contemporary stage performances (theatres Helios, Abaddon), an artistic director (Exodos festival 1994–1996), a lecturer (GILŠ theatre and puppet school, Ljubljana) and was notably one of the most piercing critics and analysts in fields of art, culture and cultural policy. In years 1997–2005 he worked at the Ministry of culture as Adviser to the Minister, specialising in performing arts; Head of Department for Art and of the Sector for Culture-Art Programmes; and Director-General-in-Office of the Directorate for Art. He participated in the development of Ministry's major projects (e.g. Multimedia Centre Network) and strategic programmes (e.g. Act on Enforcing Public Interest in the Field of Culture, 2002; National Programme for Culture, 2004–2007) and served as Secretary of the National Council for Culture. Not agreeing with the cultural policy of the government conducted by J. Janša, he resigned from his position in 2005 to become a freelance journalist. From 2006 he served as Programme Director of Cerknica cultural centre; from 2008 as General Manager-in-Office of Kino Šiška Centre for Urban Culture and from 2009 as General Manager.