PEFC Slovakia’s photo contest winner shows the passage of time in the forest

15 September 2021 Forests in photos

We are delighted to present the impressive winning images of PEFC Slovakia’s 2021 Photo Contest, showing wildlife and human traces in the forest.

The jury picked the winners out of more than 140 photos that were entered into the contest. As in previous years, the winners of all national photo contests will advance to the international contest.

“Photos from Slovakia were among the finalists in all four international contests so far. I believe that also this year we will not be missing in the international shortlist," said Hubert Paluš, National Secretary of PEFC Slovakia.

The winners

Jozef Kovalík won first prize for the photo ‘Stopa lesného času’ (‘Footprint of forest time’), taken in Vysoké Tatry in Northern Slovakia.

“Time passes slowly but surely, as we can see on different signs and traces. This trace shows us how powerful nature is although sometimes it may not show it right away,” explained the winning photographer. 

“We need nature, but it doesn't need us. Nature has a great power, let's use it to our advantage.”

Leonard Molnár won second prize for the photo ‘Pohlad z vrchu’ (‘View from above’). Taken in Central Slovakia, the photo shows a magical forest in the morning.

Viera Duchoňová finished third with her photo ‘Zvedavec’ (‘Curious’), taken in the Malá Fatra National Park in Northern Slovakia.

“While hiking, I accidentally saw little foxes playing in the grass. I took a moment to admire the adorable and carefree cubs, took a few photos and continued on my way,” she explained.

The prizes

Jozef Kovalík receives a voucher of 150€ for the holiday accommodation of the state enterprise Lesy SR, an offer for an interview and presentation of his work in the photography section of the LES & Letokruhy magazine, a book of aphorisms by Ján Heinrich Lesovina III. and forest honey. 

For second place, Leonard Molnár wins a voucher of 150€ from the GRUBE store, a book of aphorisms and forest honey. Viera Duchoňová receives a voucher of 100€ for delicacies of the state enterprise Lesy SR, a book of aphorisms and forest honey.