BaNEx meets TinyGreen
Exciting Fun at the "We own the meadow here!" Festival
On May 9-10, 2025, the beautiful Alsó-rét in Kőszeg hosted an outdoor adventure you won’t want to miss! The "Miénk itt a rét!" festival brought together families, friends, and nature lovers for two days full of playful learning and outdoor excitement, co-organised by two projects, BaNEx and TinyGreen.
The event was packed with interactive stations where visitors could enjoy hands-on activities and discover fascinating facts about nature. On Saturday, three stations in the "small circle" and seven in the "large circle" offered fun challenges for teams of all ages. The goal? To make nature accessible and enjoyable for everyone, including children and young people with disabilities! All stations were thoughtfully designed to be accessible and inclusive.
Through sensory and movement-based activities, participants could explore the changing seasons, the wonders of the animal world, and the importance of protecting our environment. Young children could dress up as frogs, identify their friends while blindfolded, or match signs of the seasons, while older kids walk barefoot on different textures, cooperate under a parachute, or experience navigating in a wheelchair. The goal is not just fun, but also awareness and learning through real, hands-on experiences.
Among the participants were students from the Dr. Nagy László Unified Special Education Methodological Institute, adding extra joy and energy to the festivities.
The fun kicked off at 9:00 AM on Friday, with the first groups arriving at 8:45 AM aboard the charming “Banex Experience Train,” a special little train that whisked visitors to the meadow and back, making the journey part of the adventure! German-speaking visitors were also well taken care of with dedicated interpretation services.
Sunday’s program was just as lively, with families rather than institutional groups taking part, including a special arrival by small train from the Kőszeg Retirement Home, where local seniors joined in the fun.
After exploring the stations, teams and families received colourful commemorative gifts - an exciting souvenir that brought smiles to kids and grown-ups alike!
Throughout both days, friendly volunteers were on hand to guide visitors through each activity, sharing helpful tips and making sure everyone had a great time. Volunteers enjoyed hearty, cold picnic meals behind the scenes, keeping their energy up for the busy festivities.
Of course, the event also cared for our environment, with compost toilets and drinking water freely available for all.
It was two days of laughter, learning, and community spirit — a true celebration of nature’s beauty and accessibility!
