FesDivjal 2026 – The 5th Slovenian and International Wild Food Festival

From 5 to 6 September 2026, the heart of Kozjansko Regional Park will once again host FesDivjal, Slovenia's largest festival dedicated to wild plants, mushrooms, nature-based cuisine, biodiversity conservation, and holistic approaches to understanding nature, food, and quality of life. The festival has established itself as a recognised model of sustainable development, bringing together local knowledge, science, and practical solutions for the future coexistence of people and nature in Slovenia and across Europe.

The festival takes place in the largest meadow orchard and heritage fruit collection within Kozjansko Regional Park (Gradišče 22, 3263 Podsreda, Slovenia). The festival grounds will feature exhibitors' stalls, a festival kitchen, and a specially constructed wooden stage serving as the central venue for the cultural and professional programme.

More than a festival – a model for knowledge transfer and sustainable practices

FesDivjal serves as an educational and experiential hub where knowledge is shared not only through lectures but also through direct experience, practical work, and learning in nature. It brings together experts, practitioners, and visitors in a shared environment for learning and developing contemporary sustainable solutions rooted in local resources and ecosystems.

Over its first four editions, the festival attracted nearly 10,000 visitors from Slovenia and abroad and has become one of the country's leading platforms for sustainability education, knowledge exchange, and the development of practices that contribute to the long-term resilience of local communities and quality of life.

Rather than separating people from nature, FesDivjal creates opportunities to reconnect them through everyday sustainable practices.

FesDivjal 2026 Programme

  • Expert workshops – the festival's central educational programme and the only ticketed part of the event, featuring 19 hands-on workshops led by leading Slovenian experts in wild food foraging, herbalism, mycology, fermentation, nature-based gastronomy, natural building, regenerative agriculture, and ecological practices. The workshops focus on practical field experience and applying knowledge to everyday life.

  • Wild MasterChef – a professional culinary competition bringing together chefs from MasterChef Slovenia and wild food experts to create dishes using wild and locally sourced organic ingredients.

  • Junior Wild MasterChef – Slovenia's first sustainable culinary competition for children. Pupils from grades 5–9 will explore wild plants and prepare dishes from local ingredients under the guidance of experts. The programme will be hosted by Sašo Stare.

  • Festival Wild Kitchen & Bar – the festival's central food and beverage area, based exclusively on local, organic, wild, and non-commercial ingredients, without industrial food products and with full ingredient traceability.

  • Marketplace – stalls featuring natural products, local producers, artisans, and sustainable initiatives.

  • Live demonstrations – presentations of traditional knowledge, practical skills, and sustainable techniques by participating exhibitors.

  • Traditional crafts – demonstrations of blacksmithing, basket weaving, and wool spinning.

  • Cultural programme – performances by Slovenian and international artists throughout the day and evening.

  • Seed, produce and clothing exchange – encouraging reuse, sharing, and circular resource management.

  • Wild plants and mushrooms exhibition – an educational exhibition prepared in collaboration with experts on Slovenian flora and fungi.

  • Traditional charcoal kiln lighting ceremony – showcasing traditional knowledge and the region's cultural heritage.

  • Sustainable raffle – prizes featuring local products, crafts, and nature-based experiences.

A Zero Waste Festival

FesDivjal follows zero waste principles, using reusable serving systems, returnable containers, and an on-site dishwashing facility.

The festival's food offer is based exclusively on local, organic, and wild ingredients, without industrially produced commercial products.

Lectures, children's activities, demonstrations, cultural events, and on-site camping remain free of charge for visitors.

Through its activities, the festival strengthens local communities while promoting long-term models of sustainable rural development and quality of life.

More information

Website: www.slovenianwildfoodfestival.com

Contact

Karmen Gajšek (Kje so tiste rožice?)

Phone: +386 51 245 731

E-mail:

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