A Peddling Paradise
Dober Dan! Welcome to Slovenia.
The people of Slovenia have had a strong connection to trees for thousands of years. The rolling green hillsides and steep mountain passes of this tiny country are covered by trees both big and small. Brown bear, lynx and wolves make their home in the dense and diverse forest cover.
People in Ribnica, Slovenia have been using the trees to make and sell woodcrafts for over 500 years! A long time ago, the king who ruled the land gave the villagers of Ribnica special permission to sell woodcrafts to surrounding areas in the kingdom without having to pay tax. The villagers were very pleased with this idea, because their families had very little money, due to the fighting that was happening in their land. Many families became good at making particular woodcrafts. The people of Ribnica made vases, dishes, sieves, baskets, toys, and even toothpicks. But, they were most famous for making wooden spoons of all sizes.
The villagers not only made the woodcrafts, but they also sold them. Traditionally, the man of each family would gather all of the woodcrafts the family had made, and tie them to a special pack on his back, called a “krosnja.” He would leave his home and walk for months selling the goods to people in villages all over Slovenia.
People who sell things this way are called peddlers. The peddlers became known all over the kingdom for having the best wooden products. Many people in Ribnica still make and sell woodcrafts today, but instead of tying their goods on their backs, they now take them from town to town in a car. Every September, people come from all over the country to attend a special festival to celebrate the tradition of woodcarving. The streets are lined with beautiful woodcrafts to purchase.
Forests are respected and cared for in Slovenia. Many families in Slovenia have their own patch of forest that they selectively cut from when they need wood for building, burning or making crafts. The people of Slovenia know that the trees are one of their greatest natural resources, and they try to make sure that they keep the forests strong and healthy, so they will be around for years to come.
The people of Slovenia have had a strong connection to trees for thousands of years. The rolling green hillsides and steep mountain passes of this tiny country are covered by trees both big and small. Brown bear, lynx and wolves make their home in the dense and diverse forest cover.
People in Ribnica, Slovenia have been using the trees to make and sell woodcrafts for over 500 years! A long time ago, the king who ruled the land gave the villagers of Ribnica special permission to sell woodcrafts to surrounding areas in the kingdom without having to pay tax. The villagers were very pleased with this idea, because their families had very little money, due to the fighting that was happening in their land. Many families became good at making particular woodcrafts. The people of Ribnica made vases, dishes, sieves, baskets, toys, and even toothpicks. But, they were most famous for making wooden spoons of all sizes.
The villagers not only made the woodcrafts, but they also sold them. Traditionally, the man of each family would gather all of the woodcrafts the family had made, and tie them to a special pack on his back, called a “krosnja.” He would leave his home and walk for months selling the goods to people in villages all over Slovenia.
People who sell things this way are called peddlers. The peddlers became known all over the kingdom for having the best wooden products. Many people in Ribnica still make and sell woodcrafts today, but instead of tying their goods on their backs, they now take them from town to town in a car. Every September, people come from all over the country to attend a special festival to celebrate the tradition of woodcarving. The streets are lined with beautiful woodcrafts to purchase.
Forests are respected and cared for in Slovenia. Many families in Slovenia have their own patch of forest that they selectively cut from when they need wood for building, burning or making crafts. The people of Slovenia know that the trees are one of their greatest natural resources, and they try to make sure that they keep the forests strong and healthy, so they will be around for years to come.