Cansiglio In Vita

The Cansiglio InVita Festival returns for its third edition, for four days, once again in the enchanting setting of the Cansiglio Forest. At the end of the previous edition, we said our goodbyes with the promise to see each other soon. And here we are, with new energy and proposals!

The Festival was created to bridge the gap between science and society, between different sectors and fields of research, and this year it further broadens its horizons by addressing the theme of planetary health.

According to this perspective – supported by the international scientific community – human health is closely connected to that of animals, ecosystems, and the planet. Maintaining the Earth System in health and balance, in all its environmental, social, and cultural components, and in their complex and dynamic relationships, requires a collective commitment aimed at promoting well-being and equity.

During the Festival, we will explore these complex connections through a multidisciplinary scientific conference, documentary screenings, workshops, excursions, and practical activities in nature, immersive guided experiences, and moments of open dialogue. The activities are designed to satisfy the curiosity of people of all ages and offer the opportunity for direct experiences of the effects of nature on human health, even for groups of people with specific conditions or pathologies. It will be an opportunity to hear expert voices, experience firsthand the bond that unites us with nature, and look at it – and ourselves – with new eyes.

All activities are free. From Wednesday, June 4 at 7 PM, you can register for the activities that have limited capacity and therefore require participant registration (check the website for updates), while some will be open access.

The Festival is promoted and organized through the established collaboration between the TESAF Department (Territory and Agro-Forest Systems of the University of Padua), the non-profit association Società Selvatica ETS, and AUSF Padova (University Association of Forestry Students). The 2025 edition is co-financed by the European Union and the University of Padua, through two projects. The international Interreg Italy – Österreich CONNATURALP project aims to promote an integrated approach for protecting and promoting the health of ecosystems and humans to protect both. The project involves GAL Prealpi and Dolomiti, the University of Padua with the TESAF and General Psychology Departments, Paracelsus University of Salzburg, the University of Trieste, UNESCO Biosphere Lungau Park, IPA Terre di Asolo and Monte Grappa, the Hohe Tauern National Park, and the ANGOLO OdV Association. And the University of Padua's Third Mission project, RINASCO - Together Regenerating Nature, Environment, Health Consciously, aims to enhance scientific knowledge about the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. RINASCO involves six departments of the University of Padua: BCA (Comparative Biomedicine and Nutrition), MAPS (Animal Medicine, Production, and Health), TESAF (Territory and Agro-Forest Systems), DAFNAE (Agronomy, Animals, Foods, Natural Resources, and Environment), DCTV (Cardio-Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health), and DNS (Neurosciences).

We look forward to seeing you from June 12 to 15, 2025, come visit us at the INFOPOINT next to the Vallorch Alpine Refuge: here you will find a new feature of this year, a permanent meditation space available to visitors of all ages – even without experience – willing to take a moment to meditate together on planetary health, the theme of this edition.