The 20th
Donaufest to celebrate free-flowing rivers took place on the 18th of May 2023 in Niederalteich,
Germany.
The reason
for the first Danube Festival was a resolution passed by the Bundestag in 2002
to develop the free-flowing Danube without barriers. However, as the Bavarian
state government continued to demand barrages for many years, the Danube
Festival in Niederalteich was initially also intended as a protest action by
conservationists and residents.
It was not
until the beginning of 2013 that the Bavarian cabinet under then Prime Minister
Horst Seehofer (CSU) also decided to focus on a more nature-friendly expansion
and the event turned into a colourful family-friendly celebration of
free-flowing rivers.
The event
was attended by hundreds of visitors and many official guests. One of the key
speakers was Mr. Georg Frank, coordinator of the WILDisland project and
Secretary General of DANUBEPARKS.
"Only when a
river flows freely is there a diversity of animals and plants", said Mr. Georg Frank from DANUBEPARKS. "In
addition, the free-flowing river creates inspiration for people. They are
places "where we like to go", said Frank.
The
honorary chairman of Bund Naturschutz, Mr. Hubert Weiger also made it clear on
the fringe of the festival that the free-flowing Danube between Straubing and
Vilshofen is not only a centre of biodiversity in the whole of southern
Germany, but also an island of survival for many endangered species as well as a
natural sewage treatment plant.
"In the
free-flowing section, the water quality improves by one level, and the oxygen
content in the water is also higher than elsewhere. The water can even be used
as drinking water, which means that the free-flowing Danube also brings
economic advantages", Weiger said.
The
festival offered a very diverse programme. In addition to a Danube quiz and a
Danube puzzle, there was a dance workshop and handicrafts for children. Young
visitors could also climb a large lime tree near the festival tent, announced
the Bavarian League for Nature Conservation. The programme also included
excursions and guided tours along the free-flowing Danube, so the festival has
developed over the years into a large and beloved village and family festival.