30th ANNIVERSARY
This year we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the foundation of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River. This is a significant event; the signing of the Convention on the Protection of the Danube River initiated cross-border cooperation aimed at the protection of the Danube and its tributaries. The Convention was signed on 29th June 1994 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
20th ANNIVERSARY
Danube Day was announced by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River on the 10th anniversary celebration of the signing of the Convention. So, this year marks 20 years since the first celebrations took place of this important day for the Danube.
Thanks to the joint efforts of various organizations, Danube Day celebrations have become an annual event that pay tribute not only to the river itself, but also to its tributaries. Over the course of 20 years, organizations and institutions at all levels of society have gradually joined the celebrations, from kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, through non-governmental organizations
and scientific institutions, to national and local governments as well as churches.
The celebrations commemorate the vital role that the Danube and its tributaries play in people’s lives – providing water, food, energy, recreation, and livelihoods. At the same time, Danube Day is considered a platform for raising awareness of the diversity of the common Danube habitat and the interconnectedness of the individual elements of this complex ecosystem. Also, it creates opportunities for informing citizens about the possibilities of improving this ecosystem and for strengthening cultural, economic, and ecological integration.
The aim of various activities (such as water-related games, excursions, round tables, workshops, and educational and awareness-raising activities for the public) is to strengthen the emotional connection of the entire society with the Danube basin and its unique biodiversity. Artists and other well-known personalities who inspire the public in the field of sustainable behaviour are also
involved in these activities. Danube Day should not only send a clear message, but also set the direction in the area of future management of the Danube ecosystem in order to ensure its preservation for future generations.
In cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment, TGM WRI plans to celebrate Danube Day on Tuesday 25th June 2024 by organizing an Open Day for public and present interesting examples of the work of its scientific teams.
Fig. 1. Danube Day celebrations are held every year in many countries
Fig. 2. Croatia, Vukovar, 2023
Fig. 3. Hungary, 2021
Fig. 4. Austria, Vienna, 2019
