The Grand Pust Carnival in Cerknica once again attracted a large crowd to the town this year, creating a lively carnival atmosphere. Approximately 22,000 people attended the event. This year’s carnival was especially festive, as Cerknica celebrated the golden anniversary of its carnival tradition—50 years of organised carnival celebrations. The theme of this year’s event, “Golden Wedding”, symbolically highlighted the celebration of life, community connections, and the passing of values between generations. This symbolism aligns perfectly with the mission of the LIFE for SEEDS project, which aims to conserve plant diversity and seeds for the future.

The LIFE for SEEDS project also participated in the carnival, sharing its message with visitors in an accessible and engaging way. One of the most charming activities was the distribution of promotional seed bags, handed out by children dressed as flowers, Carniolan bees, and beekeepers, adding further symbolism to the carnival procession. Through playful activities, the children illustrated the connection between plants, pollinators, and humans, conveying the message that species-rich meadows are vital for the survival of many animal and plant species. Many visitors took home a small seed bag, along with the idea that everyone can contribute to nature conservation.

At the project’s information stand, visitors could learn more about what LIFE for SEEDS means for the nature of the Cerknica Lake area, Slovenia, and Europe as a whole. The importance of seed banks for the long-term preservation of plant species was highlighted, along with how the project contributes to the protection of species-rich meadow habitats, which are among the most endangered ecosystems in Europe. Special emphasis was placed on the idea that seeds are a true natural heritage – something we can preserve today to ensure growth in the future.

Interactive games were also prepared for the youngest visitors. Among the most popular was a puzzle featuring plant species from Notranjski Regional Park, through which children learned about the plants growing in the meadows around Cerknica Lake. Another popular game, Pollinators, playfully and interactively demonstrated the interdependence of plants and pollinators. Through the game, children quickly understood that plants and pollinators rely on each other and learned that meadows with greater plant diversity also support a greater diversity of pollinators.

By participating in one of the largest public events in the region, LIFE for SEEDS reached a wide audience, presenting the importance of plant diversity in an accessible and engaging way. Events like this show that nature conservation can be successfully combined with cultural and social activities, delivering conservation messages to people in a fun and immersive way.