For the twentieth time we celebrate the Danube Day on 29 June. The campaign, which takes place in all countries along the Danube river, aims to express the connection of the people in Danube countries with the river and testifies to the important contribution of the Danube to the economy, environment, and culture. The campaign is organised and coordinated by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube. In Bulgaria, Danube Day is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Danube Basin Directorate.

This year’s theme for the international initiative is “Keeping the Danube Blue”. It is inspired by the fourth Joint Danube Survey JDS4 and aims to draw attention to the importance and conservation of the Danube and its tributaries.

On 29 June 1994, the Convention on Cooperation for the Protection and Sustainable Use of the Danube was signed in Sofia. This document plays an important role in international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of one of Europe’s most important rivers. In 2004, at the suggestion of the International Commission for the Conservation of the Danube, a “Danube Day” campaign was organised for the first time on 29 June.

This year, the Danube Day program in Bulgaria includes again a variety of initiatives - festivals, plein air events, clean-up actions, concerts and exhibitions, various city celebrations. Once again, students between the ages of 6 and 18 can take part in the traditional international Danube Art Master competition.

Detailed information can be found on the website of the Danube River Basin Directorate at: http://www.bd-dunav.org/news/29-iuni-Den-na-reka-Dunav-2135/