Slovenia recognizes mountaineering and alpinism as cultural heritage

Mountaineering and alpinism have been officially inscribed in Slovenia's register of intangible cultural heritage, a move initiated by the Slovenian Mountaineering Association (PZS). The Ministry of Culture made the inscription on July 30.

These mountain activities are recognized for their significant symbolic meaning in Slovenia, contributing to the formation of the nation's cultural identity. The PZS noted that they are founded on volunteerism, respect for nature, and the intergenerational transfer of knowledge and experience, making them more than just activities in the mountains but a way of life.

Within the register, mountaineering is defined as a collection of knowledge, values, practices, and organizational forms associated with visiting mountains, mountain education, trail maintenance, and the operation of clubs and mountain huts. It fosters the preservation of traditions, the transmission of skills for safe mountain movement, and promotes a responsible relationship with the mountain environment.

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skupek znanj, vrednot, praks in organizacijskih oblik, povezanih z obiskovanjem gora, planinsko vzgojo, urejanjem poti, delovanjem društev ter planinskih koč. Prispeva k ohranjanju tradicij, prenosu znanj in veščin varnega gibanja v gorah ter k odgovornemu odnosu do gorskega okolja.

Alpinism, meanwhile, is described as a mountain activity combining climbing, movement over challenging terrain, snow and ice ascents, and ski mountaineering. It relies on knowledge of the mountain environment, technical expertise, experience, ethics, and camaraderie in overcoming difficult mountain challenges.

Martin Šolar, president of the PZS, called the inscription an important recognition for all generations of mountaineers and alpinists who have shaped Slovenia's mountain tradition for over a century. He emphasized that these pursuits represent a way of life and expressed pleasure that the state acknowledged their cultural value, affirming that heritage includes not only built structures but also the values people live by and pass on to younger generations.

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gorska dejavnost, ki združuje plezanje, gibanje po zahtevnem terenu, snežno-ledne vzpone in alpinistično smučanje. Temelji na znanju o gorskem okolju, tehničnem znanju, izkušnjah, etiki in tovarištvu pri premagovanju zahtevnega gorskega sveta.