International Wild Flower Festival
22 MAY – 7 JUNE 2026
20th INTERNATIONAL WILD FLOWER FESTIVAL
The International Wild Flower Festival is a bouquet of botanical tours, events and culinary experiences dedicated to wild plants, the floral wealth of Bohinj and the local offer.
Festival events take place every year in May and June at various locations in Bohinj, which comprises 24 villages and covers an area of more than 300 km².
The extraordinary plant wealth of the wider Bohinj area has long been a source of interest for botanical experts and admiration for lovers of nature and its beauty. From the earliest beginnings of the scientific study of Slovenian flora, the mountains above Bohinj have been considered a veritable treasure trove of Alpine flowers.
From early spring to autumn, the floral wealth of Bohinj and the mountains above it is a feast for the eyes of everyone who visits Bohinj and its surroundings. As soon as the snow melts, the Helleborus and other harbingers of spring bloom… colourful meadows and hay meadows, shy wildflowers and the splendour of mountain flowers all the way to the highest peaks in summer… and when the forests burst into autumn colours, the beauty of the flowers in autumn – it’s all there for the eye to see. But: the more we know about something, the more we notice! If we go just a little bit deeper into learning about plants and native flowers, the beautiful yellow flower will no longer be just a yellow flower – it will be our friend, about whom we will know a lot of interesting things, and about whom we will be all the happier to meet! Flowers are associated with a wealth of knowledge, stories, ancient wisdom, scientific discoveries, they accompany us from birth to death, inspire creativity and brighten our lives. In the hectic pace of everyday life, we often overlook all these interesting facts. Unfortunately! Moreover, all this floral wealth needs our care and protection so that it can be preserved for the future. Many plant species are threatened, and some are even threatened with extinction.
In order to give the floral wealth of Bohinj, the Triglav National Park and Slovenia the right profile, to encourage the discovery of Alpine flowers, scientific knowledge and creativity related to them, and to enable visitors and locals to experience Bohinj’s nature and cultural heritage in a richer way, we have decided to dedicate a few days to floral themes at a time when most of the autoflowering flowers are in full bloom. From botanical knowledge to folk traditions, from artistic creation to discovering what is not only beautiful – but even belongs in the pot and on the table! And so the idea of the International Wild Flower Festival in Bohinj was born!
Botanical attractions of Bohinj
Bohinj is a true paradise for nature and botany lovers. In the area of the Triglav National Park, over 1,000 different plant species thrive, including many rare and endangered ones. This exceptional diversity is the result of a millennium of coexistence between humans and nature, where traditional farming practices, such as extensive livestock farming, have shaped and preserved the cultural landscape.
Festival Symbol: BOHINJ IRIS (Iris cengialti f. vochinensis)
The Bohinj Iris (Iris cengialti f. vochinensis ) is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and distinctive flowers you can admire in the Bohinj area. With its unique beauty, vibrant colors, and lavish blooms, it is considered a true botanical gem, counted among Bohinj’s natural rarities. Its popularity has led to its transplantation from natural habitats to cultivated gardens, where it thrives as an ornamental plant. Over time, due to its beauty and symbolism, it has rightfully become the emblem of the International Wildflower Festival, attracting numerous nature and botany enthusiasts to Bohinj.
The Bohinj Iris is not only a visual delight – it has been accompanied by various traditions, beliefs, and symbolism since ancient times. It was given special importance in the Minoan culture of Crete. In the royal palace of Knossos, archaeologists discovered a fresco created around 1500 BCE, depicting irises. This is the oldest known depiction of this plant, proving its importance and popularity even in distant history.
Among the Slavic peoples, the iris is associated with the god of sky and thunder, Perun, or his wife Perunika. This mythological connection is deeply rooted in Slavic culture, as evidenced by the Slovenian name for the plant – perunika. It was believed that the iris was a sign of her presence and protection. According to folk tradition, the rhizome of the iris was thought to protect people and homes from lightning strikes.
This belief stems from the legend that Perun, often described as mighty and sometimes unpredictable, would heed the advice of his wife Perunika. The iris itself was said to be a sign of her presence and influence over her husband. As a symbol of wisdom, protection, and beauty, the iris has established itself over centuries as a special plant that brings good fortune and safety.
Its symbolism has survived to this day and continues to fascinate botanists, nature lovers, and tourists who visit Bohinj to admire the unique beauty of the Bohinj Iris.
Festival photo highlights
Video content
In 2020, the International Wild Flower Festival was digitized. The 2020 festival’s theme was “For every disease, a rose grows”. Although we are sad that we couldn’t celebrate our beloved green and flower-festooned oasis together in the traditional way in person, we hope you will find plenty of inspiration and positive vibes in the videos.
And because Bohinj is just a step away from your home, you can fully experience the colourful meadows, fragrant green forests, diverse network of hiking trails, breathtaking views, delicacies and masterpieces from the local market, and delicious flower menus on an individual basis. And our digital “guides” will help you understand, know and see more than you would otherwise.
All digital events of the festival are also organised in a playlist.
Playlist
0:59
1:02
0:31
3:07
15:08
19:29
37:19
34:08
9:45
27:10
8:19
22:54
6:07
23:27
Festival programme
The programme is under preparation.
Exhibitions during the festival
The exhibition programme of the International Wild Flower Festival offers a unique insight into the world of plants, art, and cultural heritage. The selection includes botanical illustrations that explore the beauty and diversity of alpine flora, contemporary artistic projects addressing social themes, and traditional handcrafted works such as floral embroidery.
FLORAL MENUS
During the International Wild Flower Festival, local restaurants in Bohinj create unique floral menus that delight your taste buds and bring the flavors of nature to your plate.
Festival Guide 2025
In collaboration with:
The Janez Mencinger Primary School is once again actively participating in the Wild Flower Festival. Through a diverse programme and activities integrated into regular classes, pupils explore, deepen, and strengthen their understanding of Bohinj’s natural and cultural heritage, as well as the importance of its preservation.
During the festival, students will learn about the characteristics of the Bohinj environment across different subjects, reflect on the value of protecting natural and cultural assets, and practice skills that encourage a responsible attitude towards the space in which they live.
A botanical book exhibition will also be on display in the school library throughout the festival, offering pupils an additional opportunity to independently explore the plant world and expand their knowledge of alpine flora.
On the Saturday of Weekend of Sport, all students will take part in activities. Pupils from grades 1 to 5 will complement their sports day with activities focused on discovering Bohinj’s natural and cultural heritage. Pupils from grades 6 to 9 will put their natural science knowledge into practice at one of the checkpoints of an orienteering course, combining physical activity with hands-on learning in the field.
Throughout the festival, students gain experiences that go beyond the classroom – through direct contact with nature, their local environment, and the community, they help shape an event that celebrates the richness of life in the Alpine region.
Triglav National Park is an essential partner of the Wild Flower Festival, contributing valuable content through its expertise and long-standing commitment to nature conservation.
Through carefully designed content and activities, Triglav National Park creates space for dialogue on the importance of maintaining natural balance, encouraging respectful visits to natural areas, and protecting biodiversity – a value particularly significant in the Alpine environment. At the same time, it promotes an understanding of nature not just as a setting, but as a shared value that we shape and protect together.
The presence of Triglav National Park at the festival reinforces the awareness that nature is not merely a backdrop to our lives, but the very foundation of their quality – today and for future generations.
During the Wild Flower Festival, Bohinj House hosts a variety of events that complement and enrich the festival programme. Operated under the auspices of the Municipality of Bohinj, Bohinj House offers creative workshops, small exhibitions, and educational activities for all generations during this time.
Festival visitors can take part in various hands-on creative workshops, primarily designed for children, where they explore natural materials, plants, and express their creativity through play and practical work. The programme also includes presentations that raise awareness about the importance of preserving Bohinj’s natural and cultural heritage, as well as a temporary exhibition of botanical illustrations.
