Over the past few days, Novi Pazar has become a hub of environmental awareness. As part of EU Green Week, hundreds of participants took part in city clean-up activities and learned about the importance of protecting nature. Among the key events were the 10th edition of EkoFest, held in the City Park under the slogan “Picnic in Nature”, and a clean-up campaign at the popular Borići picnic area.
Organized by the Duga Center for Children and Youth with the support of the Europe House Novi Pazar, EkoFest brought together hundreds of preschool children, primary and secondary school students, and university students. In addition to a picnic and social gathering, the event featured performances, workshops, interactive lectures, an open-air art colony, and exhibitions of artwork and design projects.
As part of the creative recycling workshops, students sorted waste, decorated reusable bags, planted flowers, and left messages on a ‘wish tree’.
“This is a wonderful event that takes place every year and promotes environmental awareness, nature conservation, socializing, and youth engagement”, said Azra Šahović, a teacher at ‘Bratstvo’ Primary School.
Her colleague, Fazila Kamberović from ‘Halifa bin Zajed al Nahjan’ Primary School, noted that children today are increasingly immersed in the virtual world.
“Unfortunately, we face the challenge of fostering a love of nature among children. They spend more and more time in the virtual world and have less contact with nature. Events like this are extremely important in helping to change that”, she added.
Students from the State University of Novi Pazar presented the university’s biology study programme and performed a play titled The Ancient Whisper of Plants, designed to introduce children to the plant world in an engaging way and highlight the importance of plants for life on Earth.
“I play the role of lavender, a plant known for reducing stress and improving sleep. Our goal was to send a message, especially to children and young people, about the importance of plants for people and for life on our planet”, said student Adela Zeković.
Organizers emphasized that EkoFest has grown into one of Novi Pazar’s most important environmental events for children and young people.
“Our goal is to keep this topic in the public spotlight through creative and engaging activities and to encourage the long-term development of environmental awareness among future generations. We want young people to build a more responsible relationship with the environment and with the world they live in”, said Fatima Durović, Director of the Duga Center.
Denisa Curić, a member of the Novi Pazar City Council, stressed the importance of teaching children about environmental protection from an early age.
“That is why I am delighted to see so many children from kindergartens here. What is learned at an early age stays with us throughout life. All these activities are organized so that children can learn what they can do today and continue to enjoy our beautiful natural surroundings in the future”, she said.
While EkoFest was taking place in the City Park, students from the Hospitality and Tourism School were cleaning two of Novi Pazar’s most popular recreational sites near the famous Borići pine grove overlooking the city.
“The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness of the importance of preserving natural spaces, encourage responsibility towards the environment, and strengthen the spirit of community and volunteerism. Through this activity, students demonstrated that caring for nature begins with each of us and that, by working together, we can contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful environment”, the school stated.
In addition to educational institutions, local public companies and institutions from Novi Pazar also took part in organizing EkoFest and the clean-up activities.
