WE PLANT THE FOREST, THE FOREST IS PLANTING US!
Call for participation
in the reforestation of the Pešter Plateau
What: International volunteer reforestation of the Pešter Plateau and production of the film It Rains Differently
Where: Pešter Plateau, close to Sjenica, Serbia
When: August 18–25, 2024
Applications are open until July 15, 2024!
SEE YOU AT PEŠTER!
We invite you to join the reforestation of the Pešter Plateau in Serbia, organized as part of the Forest Encounters cooperation project and the making of the film It Rains Differently by Dušica Dražić. The reforestation will take place with the cooperation and assistance of the Institute of Forestry in Belgrade and the Forest Management department in Sjenica.
Each summer between 1978 and 1988, thousands of young people from all over the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia volunteered to reforest the Pešter Plateau. The labor was organized through Youth Work Actions, which brought new generations together in the spirit of “Brotherhood and Unity”. The father of the film author, Milutin Dražić, was the head forest engineer of the project. He was a witness to the long-term dedication, (volunteer) labour, and care and trust (or belief) in a social and political imaginary outside the conditions of consumption.
Forty years later, 150,000 hectares of mature forest dominate the landscape. Despite all the societal changes that have unfolded – the collapse of Yugoslaiva, wars, privatizations, ecocides, and despite all the secrets that are buried in the forest.
It Rains Differently steps away from the symbolic realm, producing a new forest while also producing a film. This summer, volunteers will gather once again on the Pešter Plateau, but this time they will come not only to plant a new forest but to participate in the collective making of this film.
Volunteers are provided with:
- Bus transport from Belgrade to Sjenica (Sunday, 18/08) and back (Sunday, 25/08).
- Accommodation in Sjenica (double and triple rooms).
- Full meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- Professional reforestation training led by forestry technicians from Sjenica.
If you are interested, you must meet the following requirements:
- You need to be over 18 years old.
- You need to agree to be filmed and photographed during your stay.
- You need to be physically fit to work in the field (digging and planting).
- The participation of all volunteers is voluntary and unpaid.
Applications are open until July 15, 2024.
If you are interested in participating fill out the form below or send an inquiry to: itrainsdifferently@gmail.com
A detailed work program will be sent to all applicants after the call is closed.
SEE YOU AT PEŠTER!