Established in 1924 as the Alpine Conservation Park, Triglav National Park (TNP) is one of Europe’s oldest protected areas. In collaboration with the Slovenian Presidency of the Alpine Convention, TNP will host a series of events that reflect its rich history and central missions in commemoration of its 100th anniversary. Below is an overview of the events.
From 11-14 March, the Youth Parliament to the Alpine Convention (YPAC) met in Kamnik, hosted by the Rudolf Maister Grammar and Secondary School Kamnik. The theme of this year’s YPAC meeting was protected natural areas. Pupils from ten secondary schools from seven Alpine countries discussed this theme and the four sub-topics biodiversity, quality of life in the Alps, climate change, and cultural heritage. Experts from Triglav National Park contributed their knowledge and insights on the YPAC topics. The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, also referred to the park’s anniversary in her opening speech to the youth delegates.
An event was coordinated by the TNP Public institution under the motto “Quality of life in the Alps for all” on 19 March in Tolmin, when five electric vehicles were handed over to the park municipalities Bohinj, Bovec, Kobarid, Kranjska Gora, and Tolmin. The cars will be used for public transport and to ensure better accessibility and connectivity for residents. Furthermore, they will help reduce traffic, air and noise pollution, offering residents a better quality of life.
Celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the TNP will commence on 31 May in Trenta. Named after the majestically towering Mount Triglav (2864 m), the park embodies Slovenia's commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development and inspires to cherish, protect, and preserve its natural world for generations to come.
Biodiversity is built into the park’s DNA: TNP was created to provide a sanctuary for various species such as the wolf, bear, and lynx, as well as a rich variety of plant life, including 19 endemic species. The park is therefore contributing to an international conference dealing with biodiversity: “Joint action for the Alps – conserve, connect, and restore”. Under this shared motto, the Slovenian Presidency of the Alpine Convention is organising the Alpine Convention Biodiversity Conference while the International Scientific Committee on Research in the Alps (ISCAR), will organise the ForumAlpinum. The two events will take place back-to-back from 12 to 14 June in Kranjska Gora and offer participants the opportunity to examine the challenges facing biodiversity and geodiversity in the Alps.
The botanical richness inside and around the national park has long fascinated experts and nature enthusiasts alike. To showcase the incredible diversity of Alpine plant species, the International Wildflower Festival will take place in Bohinj between 24 May and 9 June – coinciding with the peak bloom of wildflower species.
There will also be an opening event of the Constructive Alps exhibition in Bohinjska Bistrica on 7 June. The Constructive Alps travelling exhibition presents the winners of the previous edition of the prize for sustainable renovation and building in the Alpine region. The exhibit includes some examples from the TNP.
Another event will be held on 7 June with the film screening of the first Slovenian feature film, “In the Kingdom of Zlatorog”. The silent film was shot in black and white in 1928 and 1929 in Bohinj.
TNP will support another international event, the 8th edition of the AlpWeek under the topic Alps in our hands. It will take place from 23 to 25 September in Nova Gorica which represents a meeting point between cultures and languages.
Triglav’s centenary celebrations will conclude with an expert event looking back on 100 years of the national park in Bled on 12 November.