15
»Water is not a commercial product like any other but, rather, a heritage which must be protected, defended and treated as such.« – EU Water Framework Directive
Danube Day Every year at the end of June, children from all over the Danube River Basin celebrate one of Europe’s greatest river systems.
I Every year Austria’s »Generation Blue« celebrates water, e.g. during Danube Day.
t is an annual event that brings together people from several countries to celebrate the world’s biggest river: Danube Day. In 2019, hundred of events in Germany, Czechia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine joined forces along the banks of the river, attracting mostly children and teenagers. Set up in 2004, the festival’s main aim is to encourage younger generations to take part – and feel responsible for their common river. Organised by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, the public participation expert group is a worldwide role model for how to communicate on river ecosystems. One of its most important and successful activities is the Danube Art Master Competition. This encourages pupils to create artworks inspired by materials they have found in and around the Danube. Austria plays a leading role in all the organisation’s activities.
danubeday.at danubeday.org Contact: susanne.brandstetter@bmlrt.gv.at helene.masliah-gilkarov@icpdr.org
