Danube Day in Bulgaria

Danube Day has become one of the biggest events in Bulgaria. Festivals, concerts, environmental activities, historical presentations, clean-up actions and educational activities were organized from the village of Vrav to the Silistra village. This year, the events were even more diverse and original than in previous years. Around June 29, many localities celebrate traditional holidays.  Danube Day is a bridge between traditions, folklore and environmental protection. 

The village of Vrav, the first settlement in the Bulgarian section of the Danube River, celebrated June 29 with several events. An action was organized to clean up garbage on the river bank, a fishing competition, drawings on asphalt, a celebration for young and old. The participants received special certificates, with the message to be a friend and protect the Danube every day.

The town of Vidin celebrates June 29 - the International Day of the Danube River with the Art Festival "The River" from June 28 to July 1. For another year, the highlight of the event was the Light Show - a combination of music, light effects and 3D Mapping of Vidin's emblem - the fortress "Baba Vida".

For another year, the program in the town of Kozloduy was very rich with another fish festival, numerous clean-up actions, environmental activities and quizzes.

Educational activities and fun but useful games were part of the Danube Day program in Dolni Vadin, organized by the local community center and the town hall.

Keep the Danube Blue! - this is the message sent by the Minister of Environment and Water Eng. Petar Dimitrov to the participants in the traditional celebration on June 29 in the village of Baikal, municipality of Dolna Mitropolia. Minister Dimitrov recalled that Danube Day has been celebrated in all countries of the Danube basin for 20 years. He took part in the traditional ritual in the village of Baikal by throwing a wreath into the river and sending messages for its protection.

Thematic lessons, drawings and modelling with natural materials and competition on the theme "My adventure by the Danube" were held for another year in the town of Guliantsi.

A music program, quiz, children's drawing competition, fun games were just some of the initiatives in Nikopol. Traditionally, events for the Danube are held in Nikopol for more than a month.

And this year, for a few days, the city of Belene was in the arms of a big festival dedicated to the Danube River, organized by the Municipality of Belene. The program included dozens of concerts, educational initiatives, competitions. 

Many events took place in the largest Danube city in Bulgaria - the city of Ruse. A cruise on the Danube River for students with the ship "Ruschuk" is organized by the regional administration. On June 29, there was a children's art happening - "On the banks of the river", applied workshops, blitz - quiz and "magical" science experiments, water battles - summer 2024 with fun competitive games. The Naval Tower in Rousse opened its doors on the occasion of the Day of the Danube River at the initiative of the Executive Agency "Research and Maintenance of the Danube River". Concerts, competitions, discussions enriched the program.

These events were held in coordination with: DRBD, Vidin Municipality, Lom Municipality, United Children's Complex, SERAW, Kozloduy NPP, Kozloduy Municipality, Dolna Mitropolia Municipality, Ivo Jokin, Nikopol Municipality, NAPREDAK 1871 Community Center, Belene Municipality, RIEW, IAPPD, Ruse Municipality, Tutrakan Municipaliti, and Silistra Municipality. 

For more information please visit:

• Administrative Address of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
• Ministry of Environment and Water

Contact & further information

For the latest news, please contact the country coordinators:

Vesela Komarevska  or Ivan Kalamerov of the Danube River Basin Directorate in Pleven on +359 64 885 100; or dunavbd@bddr.org .