Danube Watch 2/2017 - Danube Day 2017

GERMANY
Creativity and environmental awareness were celebrated at the ‘Danube Art Master’ awards at Schloss Grünau. Teenager, Jakob Bauch, impressed ministry judges with his ingenious animation on pollution. In Baden-Württemberg, the public joined ministry officials for a tour of Sigmaringen Sewage Works, a model for how effective treatment can protect wildlife.

THE CZECH REPUBLIC
In Moravia-Silesia, Mosty u Jablunkova‘s end of term ‘Children‘s Challenge’, supported by the Environment Ministry, saw toddlers to teens join in river-themed puzzles, art and eco activities to win the latest ICPDR Danube goodies.

AUSTRIA
Austria embraced its rivers with 40 organisations contributing to Danube Day. A young Slovak delegation joined 1000 children in racing to solve action-packed eco challenges in the Vienna Stadtpark Puzzle Race. Actress Julia Cencig donned special wellies and partnered Minister Andrä Rupprechter for a group waltz. Across Austria, 900 pupils got creative in the Art Master contest.

SLOVAKIA
Around 4500 Slovaks joined the festivities. An exhilarating day at Gabčíkovo saw rescue displays, riding, climbing, and for many, their first trip through the dam. Being engulfed in foam and bouncing on inflatables was a big hit, as were performances on the main stage. Cruises in Komárno and Bratislava brought 1400 residents closer to their river; while 36 districts undertook bank clean-ups.

HUNGARY
Thousands got active at events in Barcs, Budapest and Győr. The Drava set the stage for a joint Hungary-Croatia day: neighbouring communities shared traditions, boat trips and fish soup; while international, state, local and civil society officials discussed flood and sustainable river management. Flood education was the focus for an EUSDR workshop in Budapest. While water-themed family fun attracted many to the Children‘s Island and Győr festivals.

SLOVENIA
Thousands of people were mobilised to act for cleaner rivers. Communicating concern for the Sava and Drava, young Art Masters from Zagorje, Voličina and Maribor were awarded alongside corporate winners of a 3-country Bled Water Festival stewardship contest. 15,000 people cleared 8 tonnes of rubbish in the 8th ‘Moja reka’ and 1000 pupils took on microplastic pollution in the 20th ‚Water Detective‘ contest.

CROATIA
The ‘Month of Rivers’ delivered action in Vukovar, Županja, Slavonski Brod, Sisak, Zagreb and Hungarian borderlands. High-level officials rolled up sleeves to assist divers in rubbish clearance and met with water management stakeholders in Vukovar. The ministry‘s youth awareness roadshow launched a new book and riverside fairs celebrated the 10th year of ‘Our Beautiful Sava’.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Ilidža students were crowned Art Masters in 2017 for ‘Bridge’, their ingenious construction of plastic bottles and plaited bags. Traversing a Bosna tributary, it emphasized both the river‘s role in linking people, but also the pollution pressure faced by all Danube rivers.

SERBIA
20 actions in 12 towns energised young people to act for their rivers. In Prahovo, WWF Serbia‘s role-play and eco games cultivated sturgeon ambassadors within fishing communities. At Zemun Quay, the ministry held its annual family festival; and at the 10th ‘Save the Danube’ eco camp, students gained water management experience from national experts.

ROMANIA
With 70 activities in 11 Water Basin Administrations, thousands were inspired by events. State Secretary Negru joined 150 experts and stakeholders to discuss projects and visit Galati‘s Danube fiesta. Attracting 1000 visitors, there was something for everyone: a grand summer parade, treasure hunt, cruises, water pollution lessons, music, sport, art and rubbish clearance!

BULGARIA
2000 visitors enjoyed events in all 7 Danube provinces. Culinary delights were showcased at Vidin‘s floating feast, Kozloduy‘s fish festival and Baykal‘s wreath ceremony. Hard-working volunteers cleared banks in Lom and Nikopol. In Ruse, Romanian experts joined Bulgarian counterparts for a scientific conference; and in Belene‘s ‘Danube Days‘, WWF inspired children to become sturgeon champions.

MOLDOVA
Revisiting traditions and forging sustainable futures were central to events that attracted 1000 visitors and nationwide coverage. Moldovan and Romanian counterparts met to facilitate cross-border cooperation. Regional customs were celebrated at folk festivals in Djurdjulesti and its port. Danube Day messages were spread through summer camps and lectures for Chisinau University students.

UKRAINE
Tyachiv‘s Ukrainian-Romanian festival featured basin-wide solidarity, celebration and sustainability! A platform for informal discussions, it nurtured cross-border relations between ministries, agencies, communities and children. Innovative actions - the ‘River Quest‘ youth challenge; video ‘Water Oscars‘; ‘Plastic Treasures‘ rubbish clearance contest; and unveiling of a beautiful mural of Tisza life - promoted the growth of Danube awareness well into the future. Pupils from 35 schools also vied to become ‘Danube Art Master‘.