Solstice on the Danube offers also swimming in teh Danube (source: Courtesy of Dunajský Fond )
The Danube River with its arms and tributaries is a zone rich in life and an extensive spectrum of activities for individuals, communities and organisations. The Solstice on the Danube (Slnovrat na Dunaji), a chain of 45 events lasting from late May until early July, brings an opportunity to get to know the river and those connected to it. This is second time such a programme has been organised.
“This is a time of open embankments and the open river. The time when those living or acting on the river make it accessible to the wider public and show them all the wonderful hidden places on the water,” said Juraj Čorba of the Danube Fund (Dunajský fond), the organiser of Solstice on the Danube. “They demonstrate what the river means for them and what they are experiencing.”
The events are taking place on the whole stretch of the Danube in Slovakia, i.e. from Bratislava up to Štúrovo, and its arms and tributaries, including the Small Danube. The events range from various competitions, family programmes and concerts to cruises on the river and open houses at the docks for canoeists and kayakers.
Danube Day, the towboat Šturec, swimming in the Danube and more
One of the highlight of the Solstice series will be the Danube Day taking place at the Gabčíkovo Water Works on Saturday, June 17. The event takes place on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the hydropower station coming into operation. Its programme starts at 10:00 and the organisers have prepared competitions, a cultural programme and guided tours of the power station for visitors. There will also be cruises on the Danube while those interested can take a ride on an emergency boat as well.
On the same day, from 10:00 until 17:00 lovers of industrial history can visit the towboat Šturec at the Winter Port in Bratislava. The towboat completed its active life in the 1980s and now, while undergoing restoration, is waiting to be turned into a museum. There will be five guided tours, at 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00 with information also available in English.
Those interested can try rowing in the Karloveská Zátoka Bay on June 17 at 10:00. This will be the launch event for the Return of Rowing to the Karloveská Zátoka Bay project.
On June 18 at 10:00 or 14:00, people can discover the beauty of the river from a paddleboard. The small circuit is suitable even for absolute beginners as it will take place in the Jarovecké rameno arm of the river. The expeditions start at the Vyza buffet near the Petržalská bay and the Jarovecké arm.
The same day, there will be a River Show close to the Eurovea Galleria at 12:00. It will feature an exhibition of luxurious ships, meetings with yachtsmen and lectures about the Danube.
In the evening, from 17:00, people can take an elevator to the top of the SNP Bridge and admire the sunset and stars from its observation platform, 95 metres above the Danube’s surface. Experts from the Bratislava Astronomy Club will show those interested sunspots, planets and all that the summer night sky has to offer.
On June 23, the Kriváň ship will ferry people from one bank of the Danube to the opposite side until midnight so that they can enjoy the shortest night of the year and the cultural programme on Magio beach.
Devín castle will host the Solstice on Devín event, recalling the Celtic presence in this area, on June 24. The whole-day event starting at 10:00 will offer music, dance, workshops and interactive lectures, all connected with the Celts.
The same day experienced swimmers can join members of the Slovenské Ľadové Medvede civic association uniting hardy men who swim in the Danube during the winter. Their ambition will be to swim below all five bridges in Bratislava. The event starts at 10:00 and those who wish to participate must register with the association.
For more information about the programme go to www.slnovratnadunaji.sk, but the website is only in Slovak.
