What would the world be like if it worked like a forest? Somehow this question seems deeply related with the purpose of this entire Symposium. For this reason, all participants are warmly invited to enrich their experience of this event by taking part in a free Forest Bathing walk. This practice was born in the 1980s in Japan, where it's called Shinrin Yoku, to promote the benefits of a deep connection with nature, confirmed by more and more scientific studies. For approximately 2 hours, you will be guided through a sequence designed to enchance your connection with nature. Expect to be surprised as you discover both the deeper, more introspective parts of Forest Bathing - which some people describe as a form of "mindfulness in nature" - and its more dynamic, playful side. It will be interesting to see how your experience of the Symposium will change after this.

The Forest Bathing walks will take place on the Certosa island, just a few public boat stations away from the Symposium venue. Part of the walk will be in the dark (with headlights provided). Please, bring warmer clothes than you would normally wear in the daytime, long trousers and mosquito protection. While the walks will be free, each participant will have to pay for their own boat ticket (around €20 for a return ticket, or €25 for a day pass). We recommend having water and comfortable clothes. Since a maximum of 20 people will be admitted to each walk, more walks may be scheduled based on the number of requests. Due to the additional element of darkness, the nighttime walk offers a distinctly different experience from the daytime one; the guide will provide headlamps to participants who need them.  
*In case of rain, on Wednesday, Forest Bathing time might be changed to another day. We will inform you by email and live during the symposium.

PRACTICAL INFO

MATTEO VEGETTI

FOREST BATHING

Matteo Vegetti is a Forest Bathing guide and an environmental hiking guide. He is based in Spain, but also works in Italy. He has been the co-organizer and artistic director of the Cansiglio InVita festival from its first edition in 2023, in collaboration with the University of Padua. He is the founder and president of non-profit association Società Selvatica (IG: @societa_selvatica). He has a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, a Master's degree in emotional accompaniment (equivalent to psychotherapy for non-psychologists) and has been practising Cos-Art, Yiya Diaz's method of body awareness, for years. He is also trained in Family Constellations. Matteo also works as a travel designer and a translator, with over one hundred books published (economics, politics, psychology and other topics) and international clients such as Apple and Amazon. Through decades of research and experience at the intersection of thought, body, spirit, art and nature, he has found in nature connection a particularly effective and inspiring way to promote planetary health.

If you have any questions, email Matteo Vegetti

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