From the 9^th until the 15^th of August, the EVS volunteers at IYNF, Dushko Janakiev and Thomas Gits, as well as our e-volunteer Tamara Milovanović had the unique opportunity to visit the Sziget Festival in Hungary, representing IYNF together with the Hungarian Naturefriends.

Our tent was well decorated with IYNF publications, leaflets, Green Toolboxes, as well as some rock climbing equipment that showcases the Naturefriends’ dearest hobby.

On the warm August sun we were engaged in rounds of offering free hugs to people that passed by, informing them about the Naturefriends, giving a quiz on environmental issues, offering a Hungarian puzzle task, and what was most needed, a cold cooling session with sprinklers. Despite the heat, we tried to be visible. We believe we managed to get some people on the island inspired. Whether we got them connected is yet to be seen…

The hospitality of the Hungarian Naturefriends amazed us. Much thanks to Zoltan Kriston, Ildiko Holczhakker and Katalin Kolonics for their care and support throughout the festival. Interestingly enough, our volunteer Thomas Gits’ birthday coincided with the festival, and we celebrated it with tasty slices of Tiramisu with a birthday flare on top.

During the quiz sessions it became apparent that many of the visitors of the festival were well versed in environmental issues; many of them recycle and reuse materials, are aware of the Kyoto Protocol and were interested in joining the climate movement in Paris in December.

For the most interested and most knowledgeable visitors of the festival, we gave a Green Toolbox, which will hopefully help spread our cause further into their lives.

The festival itself was wonderful. Between the various music performances, theatre groups, the traditional Hungarian folk dance scene and the many games and activities available on the NGO Island, the festival proves itself as one of the best events of the year.