Forests as places of peace and joy in PEFC Slovenia’s photo contest

5 September 2018 Forests in photos

What do mystic figures, peace and mushrooms have in common? They can all be found in Slovenian forests, as PEFC Slovenia’s ‘Občuti gozd, izkusi PEFC’ (Feel the forest, experience PEFC) photo contest illustrates impressively.

Mushroom hunting

The winning images

The winning photo, entitled ‘Gobarjenje’ (Mushroom hunting), was taken by Gašper Strniša in Kokrica Kranj in northern Slovenia. The photo depicts the photographer’s mother collecting mushrooms, wearing a dress with toadstools on it.

“I like this picture of my mother because it reflects her genuine joy,” says Mr. Strniša.

Ent

Second prize went to Matej Mlakar for the photo ‘Ent’, taken in Volče in Tolmin, Slovenia.

The Ents, a race of beings in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world Middle-earth who closely resemble trees, inspired the photographer.

“The Ents appear as guardians of the forest and friends of people. Something that is really needed in our time,” he explains.

Valentina Polič won third prize for ‘Jesenski gozd s Saro’ (Autumn forest with Saro), taken in Maribor Pohorje, Slovenia.

The forest is a very special place for the photographer:

“A forest is a space where I find peace and where I forget about the daily routine”.

Autumn forest with Saro

All photos entered into Slovenia’s contest are on Instagram at #občutigozd.