2014 Review

Ukraine marked the day with 7 events in Zakarpattya, Ivano-Frankivska and the Danube Delta. Highlights included a ‘Battle of Plastic!’ clean-up campaign in Baranintsi; a record-attempt to create Ukraine’s largest map; opening of a water drill-hole and ‘Alley of Divine Heroes’ in Kvasovo; and restoration of the source of the Rika in Pryslip. Download the fact sheet to read about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Ukraine.

In Moldova, 700 national & local government officials, NGO representatives and local people gathered for festivities, speeches and Danube solidarity in Giurgiulesti, near Cahul. Read more about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Moldova.

Bulgaria’s day flowed from Vidin to Silistra, with actions in every Danube municipality and Sofia, led by councils, WWF, local NGOs and eco clubs in partnership with the Danube River Basin Directorate and Regional Environment & Water Inspectorates. Read more about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Bulgaria.

In Romania, 150 organisations from Oradea to Tulcea produced the biggest Danube Day: 110 events in all 11 Danube regions led by Water Basin Administrations, local authorities, Apele Române, pan-national NGOs, Coca-Cola HBC Romania and local organisations. Download the fact sheet to read more about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Romania.

Serbia launched a flood relief campaign: billboards publicised an SMS 1003 donation number while practical assistance came through a volunteer programme in Krupanj. Riverside festivals were held along the Danube from Banoštor to Negotin. Read more about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Serbia.

Montenegro celebrated with a river and bank clean-up day in Bijelo Polje. Local residents, fishermen, environmentalists and kayakers joined with kayakers from Prijepolje, Serbia, to clear rubbish from the River Lim. Download the fact sheet to read more about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Montenegro.

In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Danube Art Master competition brought a little cheer to some of the families affected by severe flooding. Instead of a celebration, extra prizes were given to winners affected. Download the fact sheet to read more about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In Croatia, most of the planned events couldn’t take place due to the May flooding. The day was marked at Kopački rit with an eco-fair, boat trips, workshops and youth dance. Download the fact sheet to read more about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Croatia.

In Slovenia, youngsters were inspired by their rivers to become song writers, Art Masters and Water Detectives in 3 national competitions. 2000 young people found highly imaginative ways to have their say on river issues. Download the fact sheet to read more about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Slovenia.

In Hungary, events included public river festivals in Budapest, Győr and Komárom; a ministry seminar in Budapest; entries from 39 schools in the Danube Art Master competition and a ceremony to remember those who died in the 2013 floods in Győr. Read about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Hungary.

In Slovakia, festivities took place in Devín, NW of Bratislava, organised by Vodohospodárska výstavba and the Ministry of the Environment. Roman Bomboš introduced a packed programme of fun events both on and about the Danube. Download the fact sheet to read more about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Slovakia.

In Austria, Vienna’s Museumsquartier was transformed into a Danube extravaganza to mark 10 years since the first celebration - check out the video below. Children from across the country shared camaraderie and inspiration in the Danube Challenge and Danube Art Master contests. Read about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Austria.

In the Czech Republic, Environment Ministry staff waved goodbye to the 'Danube Day United flag' as it resumed its 14-year tour of the 14 Basin countries, travelling next to Germany. The flag features 14 fish in the national colours of each country, a symbol of cross-border solidarity. Download the fact sheet to read more about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in the Czech Republic.

In Germany, celebrating rivers, securing sustainable flood protection and assisting upstream fish migration were key priorities at events in Deggendorf, Neuburg, Ingolstadt, Rottenacker & Ulm. Download the fact sheet to read more about events & organisers: Danube Day 2014 in Germany.

International events

  • Danube Art Master
    2014 saw 200 schools enter the 14-country Danube Art Master competition, with the international crown going to Elena Gorobeț from Elizaveta, Moldova. With more than 30,000 artworks entered in the last 5 years, it adds up to a strong message of environmental concern. To view the wealth of creativity inspired across the region, see Facebook & Flickr.
  • Blue Danube Week
    A fiesta of the arts took place in Bulgaria, Romania & Serbia at the Danube Competence Centre’s 'Blue Danube Week'. Working with local councils and clubs, the annual festival celebrates the Danube through music, art, theatre, folklore and sport. Cycling, wine and conservation tasks featured in 2014.
  • WWF Caravan for a Living Danube
    WWF & Coca-Cola teamed up in 2014 to highlight the world's most international river and its floodplains in a 7-year project to re-naturalise and restore floodplain areas in 6 countries. As part of this, WWF launched a 'Caravan for a Living Danube’ in Belgrade on Danube Day. Providing educational workshops, it is touring Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania & Serbia until end of summer 2015.

The ICPDR would like to thank all the organisations involved in Danube Day 2014. View the country factsheets for organisers in each country or download the full list of 2014 Danube Day Partners.

Gallery

  • Danube Day 2014 in Ukraine: Kvasovo children map-out a Ukraine united by rivers © Ostap Tsapulych
  • Danube Day 2014 in Kvasovo, Ukraine © Ostap Tsapulych
  • Danube Day 2014 in Ukraine: Coca-Cola sponsored events in Zakarpattya and across the region © Ostap Tsapulych
  • Danube Day 2014 in Ukraine: The ‘Alley of the Divine Heroes’ is blessed © Ostap Tsapulych
  • Danube Art Master 2014: one of the winning entries in Ukraine.
  • Overall winner in the International Danube Art Master competition: 'Friends of the water' by Elena Gorobeț from Elizaveta, Moldova.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Moldova: Valentina Tapis (Minister for the Environment); Lazar Chirica (Deputy Minister) with government and NGO representatives.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Moldova: celebrating traditions in Giurgiulesti, near Cahul.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Moldova: Deputy Minister Lazar Chirica awards Art Master winners.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Bulgaria at Persina Natural Park.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Bulgaria: Superb spectacle at Persina Natural Park.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Bulgaria: Vidin’s Danube Bridge marks the start of Danube Competence Centre’s Blue Danube Week.
  • Danube Art Master entry in 2014: Bulgaria's contest was organised by the Centre for Environmental Information and Education.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Romania: Children got together for sport and art in Brăila, courtesy of Brăila City Hall © Cătălin Mihai Popescu
  • Danube Day 2014 in Romania: festivities led by Eşelnita Commune Hall & Cazanele Dunării NGO © ABA Jiu
  • Danube Day 2014 in Romania: Oradea children analyse water samples © Anca Mihociu/ABA Crisuri
  • Danube Day 2014 in Romania: children visiting Balta Mica a Braila Natural Park © Radu Moisei
  • Danube Day 2014 in Romania: riverbank clean-up within the Dobrogea-Litoral Water Basin Administration © Nicusor Buzgaru
  • Danube Day 2014 in Serbia: actions were focussed on an SMS donation campaign for those affected by the flooding.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Serbia: actions were focussed on an SMS donation campaign for those affected by the flooding.
  • Danube Art Master 2014 in Serbia:  Winning entry in the contest organised by the Young Researchers of Serbia.
  • Danube Art Master 2014 in Bosnia-Herzegovina: Prize winner, Ena Havic, and her family © Ekotim
  • Danube Art Master 2014: Winning entry in Bosnia-Herzegovina by Azemina Mašević & Adna Dudević from Ilidža.
  • Danube Art Master 2014 in Bosnia-Herzegovina: entry by pupils from Šesta osnovna school in Ilidža
  • Danube Art Master 2014: Winners in the Croatian contest organised by Green Osijek © Zeleni Osijek
  • Danube Art Master 2014: concern for Sand martin conservation in Croatia © Zeleni Osijek
  • Danube Art Master 2014: first place in Croatia went to Lovro Ujlaki from Koprivnica © Zeleni Osijek
  • Danube Day 2014 in Slovenia: exploring water & energy in the Ministry/Coca-Cola HBC Slovenia ‘You’re My River’ contest © Moja Reka Slovenia.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Slovenia: last year’s winners perform a play for a VIP audience in the ‘You’re My River’ contest © Moja Reka Slovenia
  • Danube Art Master 2014: students from Roje school, Domžale were Art Master runners-up in the Slovene contest.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Hungary: Péter Kovács (State Secretary for Water) & Imre Hoffmann (Deputy State Secretary for Public Employment) at the Danube seminar in the Ministry of the Interior © Csattos Pál
  • Danube Art Master 2014: Hungary's winners in the GWP Hungary competition.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Hungary: the Danube came to Győr city centre © Gábor Szabó
  • Danube Day 2014 in Hungary: hands-on science at Kopaszi Dam in Budapest © Danube Flow/Coca-Cola HBC Hungary.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Hungary: yoga in the park at Kopaszi Dam in Budapest © Danube Flow/Coca-Cola HBC Hungary.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Slovakia: river festival in Devín organised by Vodohospodárska výstavba & the Ministry of Environment © Vodohospodárska výstavba
  • Danube Day 2014 in Slovakia: Peter Žiga (Minister of the Environment); Ladislav Lazár (CEO of Vodohospodárska výstavba) & host Roman Bomboš (media personality) © Vodohospodárska výstavba
  • Danube Day 2014 in Slovakia: showcasing traditions © Vodohospodárska výstavba
  • Danube Day 2014 in Slovakia © Vodohospodárska výstavba
  • Danube Day 2014 in Austria: from right: Ivan Zavadsky (ICPDR); Doris Bures (Minister for Transport); Reinhard Mang (General Secretary of the Lebensministerium); Ulli Sima (Vienna Environment Councillor) & Karin Zipperer (Hafen Wien) © Danube Day Austria/Matthias Hombauer
  • Danube Day 2014 in Austria: smiles at the Lebensministerium festival in Vienna © Danube Day Austria/Matthias Hombauer
  • Danube Day 2014 in Austria © Danube Day Austria / Matthias Hombauer
  • Danube Day 2014 in Austria: coming face-to-face with Danube reptiles © Danube Day Austria/Matthias Hombauer
  • Danube Day 2014 in Austria © Danube Day Austria / Matthias Hombauer
  • Danube Day 2014 in the Czech Republic: staff from the Water Protection Dept. say goodbye to the ‘Danube Day Fish United Flag’ as it continues its 14-year journey through the Basin.
  • Danube Day 2014 in the Czech Republic: Karel Vlasak (Czech ICPDR Head of Delegation) passes the 'Danube United' flag to his German counterpart, Heide Jekel.
  • Danube Day 2014 in Germany: Marcel Huber (Bavarian Environment Minister) at the State Garden Show in Deggendorf © Bavarian Ministry of the Environment & Consumer Protection
  • Danube Day 2014: Hermann Strampfer (Tübingen District President) opening a fish migration facility at Rottenacker Hydroelectric Power Plant © Regierungspräsidium Tübingen
  • Danube Day 2014 in Germany: Rottenacker Hydroelectric Power Plant © Regierungspräsidium Tübingen