Kozje Feast of the Kozjansko apple – Environmental fair with a soul
The Feast of the Kozjansko apple is an event that contributes a great share to the recognition of Kozjansko elsewhere. The fair is also dubbed ‘the environmental fair with a soul’.
Its aim is to showcase the efforts for the protection of natural treasures and the preservation of agricultural landscape of Kozjansko with its high-trunk grassland orchards of old apple tree varieties.
The ‘Feast of the Kozjansko apple’ is an event that has since 2000 marked the end of the year-long work within the framework of the ‘Revival of old grassland orchards’ project. The event sees the combined participation of the locals, experts and visitors, and lasts an entire week. During this time, various events take place related to the presentation of the natural and cultural heritage of Kozjanski park (exhibitions, lectures, workshops, hikes), complemented also by various exhibitions, inaugurations and seminars. The culmination of the festivities is on Saturday and Sunday when the square is filled with stands offering local produce (apples, juice, cheeses, pumpkin seed and olive oil, herbal products, bread, biscuits, etc.) and there is plenty of cultural performances.
During its entire history, the Feast has managed to stay true to its mission and evolved into the most important and attention-grabbing local event without any kitsch or junk. It has also become one of the major events nationwide that deal with the protection of nature and the environment. The main themes of the event reflect the modern efforts for circular economy and sustainable development by taking into account the principles of environmental protection.
The Feast of the Kozjansko apple is an event that contributes a great share to the recognition of Kozjansko elsewhere. The fair is also dubbed ‘the environmental fair with a soul’. The Park’s best practice of tending to high-trunk grassland orchards results in an apple that is ‘more than just fruit’, preserved landscape, nature and sustainable development.
The main aim of the event is to demonstrate the work and the efforts undertaken for the protection of natural treasures and preservation of the agricultural landscape of Kozjansko, of which the most readily recognisable element are precisely the aforementioned high-trunk grassland orchards with old apple tree varieties.
