The forest is a classroom from which we learn to pass on past and present knowledge to future generations. It is a sanctuary to which we return time and again, drawn by the peace and tranquillity that are often lacking in the frantic pace of everyday life. By reading in the forest, we return books to their origins. Reading in the forest allows us to take the time to enjoy and immerse ourselves in a book. Much like trees, which communicate and support one another in a harmonious ecosystem, travel and books connect and enrich us humans. They inspire us to share what we have read and experienced, broadening our horizons and fostering understanding, empathy and peace.
These warm and inspiring reflections were just a tiny part of what was shared by keynote speakers on 27 September during this year’s main World Tourism Day celebration. The event took place in a stunning forest nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Dolenjska region at the heart of the Herbal Centre of Southeast Slovenia.
Through reading, we can journey to countless worlds and travel in time – back into history and forward into the future. Reading lets us become anyone and go anywhere. Like travel, reading enriches us, fostering empathy, compassion and an understanding of the world, making it inherently tied to education. Just as we must protect our natural resources, we must also safeguard our cognitive skills. At a time when it feels like artificial intelligence is gradually replacing our thinking, it is all the more important to preserve and nurture our cognitive skills – something we can best achieve through reading.
The Slovenia Forest Service organised the event in collaboration with the Tourist Association of Slovenia, the Forestry Library (of the Slovenian Forestry Institute) and the SIAE. These institutions aimed to invite everyone to read in the forest and to raise awareness about the importance of reading for individuals and society. It is essential to encourage all generations to read for pleasure, to connect over books and to bring books into public spaces.
Forests have a beneficial impact on the entire environment and population; they are also an important renewable source of energy and raw materials. Forest tourism offers an innovative, sustainable approach with significant development potential in Slovenia. This event was part of the National Reading Promotion Campaign (NMSB), whose central theme this year focuses on reading in public spaces.
More than 50 organisers, including tourist associations, local communities, schools, branches of the Slovenia Forest Service and other organisations from across Slovenia and neighbouring regions, responded to the call to promote reading in the forest. On a beautiful autumn day, they gathered to read and connect over books. Their participation added to the mosaic of efforts to strengthen reading culture and foster mutual understanding.
Alenka Štrukelj (alenka.strukelj@acs.si), SIAE
