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Children joined in the celebrations
with singing and dancing to honour the river basin and its peoples. |
Citizens of Belgrade are very proud of their rivers, the Sava and the Danube.
Residents gathered in the morning hours of June 29 at the summer stage on
the Danube quay in Zemun, a part of the city that, with its promenades and
a host of restaurants, lives on the river. Danube Day was marked in Serbia
and Montenegro by a variety of events, particularly in towns situated on
its banks – Apatin, Novi Sad and Smederevo, and the central ceremony
in Belgrade. The Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management
- Republic Directorate for Water, coordinated the event nationally. In a
striking image of love for this great river, children in Novi Sad gathered
to write hundreds of messages about their hopes and dreams for the future,
as well as their concerns for the river. The notes were launched in paper
boats out onto the water, sending hand-written messages of hope and peace,
greetings and well wishes to the river.
Inspiration from the water
Literary, artistic and music programmes created an agreeable and merry atmosphere,
encouraged by the ‘Danube Art Master’ competition, co-organized
by the Danube Environmental Forum for Serbia and Montenegro. Primary school
children from various towns competed for best sculpture made of river material
and best poem on the topic of the Danube. Jovana Rajsic, an eighth-form
pupil at a school near Belgrade, was awarded first prize for her poem entitled
‘The Danube’. "Every day I descend to the banks of the
river beside which I live and which has enchanted, relaxed and inspired
me from my early childhood. It has also given me the strength to study and
help my parents,” Jovana said. "I often fantasize and brood about
the secrets of the river, the fact that it bonds nations and that many significant
historical events took place on its banks.”
Cleaning and conservation
The Environmentalists’ Union of Belgrade and the Young Researchers
of Serbia staged a Danube clean-up drive and collection of plastic PET packages.
A small ‘green fleet’ of boats emphasized the importance of
recycling on a cruise around War Island, a unique natural oasis and habitat
of birds at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube. Geoffrey Barrett,
head of the European Commission delegation in Serbia and Montenegro, discussed
the importance of the protection agreement reached on behalf of the Sava
River, the largest tributary of the Danube in this part of southern Europe.
"Not only does [the river] link very important parts of Europe, but
it also bonds people. It is my wish that all these countries enjoy the holiday,
but also commit themselves to protecting this river.”
Danube Day also made citizens aware of the ‘environmental black spots’
along the river. Branislav Bozovic, the city secretary for the environment,
said Belgrade was aware of the significance of this event and that it was
investing efforts in improving the quality of river waters. "However,
the problem lies in the fact that Belgrade, just like most of our cities,
does not dispose of municipal wastewater purification systems. Solutions
are being sought and the drafting of relevant projects is underway, but
their implementation will call for international aid in the form of favourable
loans and donations,” Mr Bozovic said.
Back to nature
Danube Day encouraged citizens to tour nature reserves in northern Serbia,
such as the upper Danube River Basin nature park near Apatin, and to promote
the programme of the Apa Ecoland ethno-nature park. Visitors enjoyed cruises
along the Danube around Novi Sad and Smederevo, as well as sporting competitions,
rowing regattas, tasty fish specialities, music concerts and folk dances.
The events staged to mark Danube Day inspired citizens, particularly the
young, to try to understand the importance of preserving the great river
basin and to feel part of the big family of European nations living on its
riverbanks.