At this year’s 37th Pika Festival, which took place from September 5 to 11, we introduced the youngest visitors to the coal-mining history of the SAŠA region and the importance of a Just Transition in a playful and age-appropriate way. As part of the “Black Treasure Hunt” activity, the children embarked on a real exploratory adventure, discovering the story of the place where they live through puzzles, searching for clues, and exploring the festival grounds.

Armed with a map, they searched for individual stations, solved puzzles, and entered the answers into a crossword puzzle, which guided them step by step to the final clue: “SREČNO!” In the process, they learned about mining, coal, and their importance to the development of the SAŠA region in a fun way. Throughout the festival, approximately 1,000 children participated in the activities.

Coal mining has, in fact, had a profound impact on the character of our valley, its economy, and the lives of many generations of residents. That is precisely why it is important for children to learn about the history of the coal-mining region—not through complex explanations, but through play, exploration, curiosity, and questions that encourage them to reflect on the environment in which they are growing up.

However, the black treasure hunt was not intended solely to explore the past. The activity also focused on the future. The SAŠA region is facing significant changes related to the phase-out of coal and the transition to a different economic, social, and environmental future. The activity was also intended to introduce even the youngest participants to the idea of a Just Transition— changes in which we think not only about new energy sources and environmental protection, but also about people, new opportunities, and a high quality of life for future generations.

With its playful atmosphere, creativity, and many young visitors, the Pikin Festival provided an excellent setting for this kind of activity. The children showed great curiosity and happily searched for clues and solved the challenges presented to them. Thus, the “black treasure” became the starting point for their curious questions about where we come from, what coal is, why our valley is changing, and more…

With the “Black Treasure Hunt” activity, we wanted to show that the topics of a Just Transition aren’t just for adults. Children, too, are part of the changes taking place in the SAŠA region, and above all, they are the generation that will live in a post-coal future.

We invite you to watch a video showing the activity: The Hunt for the Black Treasure

The photos are courtesy of the Pikin Festival (Velenje Festival).