On Sunday, July 20, 2025, 24 members of the Bohinj Tourist Association and the Bohinjska Bistrica Pensioners’ Association went on a trip to Dobrovnik, where this year’s main event as part of the 2000 Golden Grains for the New Millennium project took place. It is a special project that was born in 1999 in Babinci, and was conceived by three members of the Babinci Tourist Cultural Association. From a simple, but symbolically rich idea, a pan-Slovenian initiative grew that connects places, people and societies.
The project is centered around the symbolic sowing and harvesting of wheat, where each year one of the participating societies adds new grains of wheat – as a symbol of the continuous flow of time, friendship and cooperation. Every seventh year, the tradition symbolically returns to where it began – to Babinci. The project is centered around the symbolic sowing and harvesting of wheat, where each year another participating society adds its grains of wheat – as a sign of respect for tradition, nature and community. Every seventh year, the harvest returns to Babinci, as a reminder of the beginnings and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
We visited the Jakob’s Fair and the begging ceremony, followed by a traditional harvest demonstration that impressed visitors with its authenticity and respect for former farming work. Along with good food and pleasant music by the Fekonja band, new friendships were made. The cultural program was followed by the handover of 2,000 golden grains – this year to the Slovenian Model Farm in Porabje, which gives the project an additional cross-border dimension and the importance of connecting Slovenians at home and abroad. The day continued with a tour of the natural and tourist pearls of the surrounding area. We visited Bukovnik Lake, stopped at energy points, the chapel of St. Vid and the spring, and felt the tranquility of this special place. Finally, we visited the Adamič Garden, where we enthusiastically admired the diversity of flowers and the park layout, and also had the opportunity to purchase plants.
The event in Dobrovnik was not just a revival of tradition, but a living testimony that values such as respect for nature, cooperation between people and love for roots are still alive and important. Next year we will again participate in the harvest in Porabje, you are cordially invited.
Author of the article: TD Bohinj
Author of photography: TD Bohinj
