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.