Bohinj Wild Flower Festival in The Geographical journal

With a background of the mystical mountains of Triglav National Park, Bohinj is the perfect venue for those who seek tranquillity and pristine nature. On 19 May, Bohinj will become the host of the International Wild Flower Festival for the sixth consecutive year, addressing visitors who wish to learn about the local nature, its values and cultural heritage in an attractive way. Slovenia also invites tourists to visit this increasingly recognised festival with an add in The Geographical journal by the distinguished Royal Geographical Society.

The efforts towards the development of this type of tourism product in Bohinj began a long time ago. Even more than 100 years ago, when the railway enabled the development of tourism to Bohinj, people visited Bohinj by carriage or by foot to see and admire the picturesque and interesting flora and the beauty of nature. Balthazar Hacquet (1739 or 1740 - 1815), renowned Breton natural scientist, traveller and explorer, wrote passionately on the botanical riches of the Bohinj mountains in his Oryctographia Carniolica, which was issued in three parts in Leipzig in 1778 and 1789.

“Oh, how many times I wanted to live my life here as a shepherd, to be able to explore this landscape full of beautiful flowers! How many rare flowers, which I would not have been able to see otherwise, did I find there! The mighty mountain range has a number of different climates; therefore, many various plants grow there! The part that faces the sea is constantly covered with sun rays. The northern side does not see the sun at all...”

Many other explorers and admirers of Bohinj`s botanical riches followed him. From early spring, when the first flowers sneak out from under the snow, until autumn, Bohinj offers the experience of the magnificent beauty of alpine flowers.

The festival will last for a fortnight (19 May to 2 June 2012) and will provide a bouquet of events that all have one thing in common – the presentation of alpine flowers in all kinds of environments in Bohinj (along the water, in meadows, on hills and mountains). The purpose of this festival is to remind the local people and the visitors of the unique natural advantage of Bohinj as a tourist destination in the sense of nature preservation and tourism. At the same time, the festival promotes development of tourist products that are closely connected to Bohinj`s natural and cultural heritage: its prime assets.

The organisers will prepare a number of guided botanical excursions, and bird lovers will be able to see numerous birds native to Bohinj on guided ornithological excursions. Lovers of alpine flowers will be able to attend numerous workshops and demonstrations on how wild flowers can embellish and enrich our lives. The festival will provide an opportunity for children to learn about habitats, wild flowers and animals at interesting workshops and other events. During the festival, local and international experts will take part in conferences on wild flowers, their preservation and significance. Various classical music concerts will take place, along with choral concerts, folk dance performances, exhibitions, lectures, etc.

For a detailed presentation of the programme click here.

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