One river, several countries, many places, millions of people. That is the story about Danube.
It connects several European capitals: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade. It originates in Germany and becomes Black Sea via the Danube Delta in Romania and Ukraine. If there is a bond in this part of Europe, that is Danube (along with good part of food and some music).
Protecting it is a safeguard for the lives of people and their environment, but also for their cultural identity.
On the web site of the Tourist Organization of Belgrade it is rightly said:
"The idea of Danube as a river that connects was expressed at the Council of Europe in 1956, when its Program Water Chart was created (Wassercharte). The principle: “Water knows of no national borders. It demands international cooperation, joint efforts to preserve its endangered life” was published there. To fulfill this principle, there is no task more important than the one obliging the united Europe to jointly care for the preservation of its key river... there is a belief that Danube springs from heaven. The person who first wrote this wanted to warn the world of the size of gifts that can spring as a sign of heavenly mercy and generosity. It was also a warning to people not to waste the value of that which was given unto them by nature and to approach their river as careful custodians... Danube is to be loved as the fateful river of European unity. Only joint care over its preservation can rid us of the careless selfishness and ruthless robbery of its power... "
I love Danube and many places on its banks. Above is a selection of photos I took in Austria, Hungary and Serbia with Danube in its different modes, from ice to floods, along with bright summer and spring days and people living by and with the river.
You can also see photos here.
HI Larisa,
I love the Danube! I’ve seen it from Prague and Vienna. It’s beautiful.
Ciao Iris,
Yes, it’s beautiful and quite a symbol of what unites this part of Europe.
It does not go through Prague, though. Prague has lovely Vltava river
Ah Larisa let me correct that. I must have seen it from Bratislava, Slovakia when I went from Slovakia to Prague some years ago….But it really is beautiful. I didn’t realize that it’s a symbol for Europe. Good point. Thanks!
It’s a symbol in good and bad ways..I intend to reflect on it in future posts.
Nice to see you again, Iris!
Okay Larisa,
Looking forward to it. Thanks!
Hi Larisa,
nice post with strong message. When Danube gets “crazy” in one country, other countries get affected. We experienced it during floods throughout Europe.
The Danube is beautiful, I like it best in Budapest and Bratislava - together with amazing architecture of the cities - wonderful.
Thank you, Radka. Yes, Danube really persuasively reminds us from time to time how close and interconnected we are
Danube has the same significance as the European Union! Loved your post :) - I have never been there but hopefully will be soon! -
I hope too, Andrea:)
Glad you liked it, there will be more about Danube
Yes, really interesting Larisa. I didn’t realize that Danube is so important for the EU.
Btw, there is really interesting project I’ve found about, that will connect Danube with its history and modern art and technology - Hologram Bridge: “Serbian archeologists and engineers are working on a hologram to be projected over the Danube river to reproduce parts of a Roman bridge that once stood on the spot…” http://www.ras-international.org/eng/news/2011_01_serbia-to-project-historic-bridge-hologram.html
Really looking forward!