The fourteenth of March this year marks not only Summer Day, a traditional Albanian holiday symbolizing the revival of nature, but also the nineteenth anniversary of the creation of the International Day of Action for Rivers and Against Dams in 1997.
This day was born out of a need to make our voices heard around the world about the problems brought about by destructive hydropower projects, to improve the health of watersheds and to demand fair and sustainable management of our rivers.
The International Day of Action on Rivers and Against Dams is a day to celebrate the world’s rivers and those who fight to protect them, victories such as dam removal and river restoration. But it is also a day to come out to protest and demand improvements in policies and practices of decision makers. It is a day to educate and make people aware of the problems that threaten our rivers and environment and to learn about the best and most sustainable energy production and anti-pollution solutions.
Each year a certain theme is chosen to bring us together and to symbolize that these issues are not just local, but global. This year, songs about rivers have been posted on the official website of the day in honor of the art that rivers have inspired in all cultures of the world over the centuries. We are committed to the path we have set out to save the rivers of the Balkans from the mania of dams. As a sign of solidarity for this day, we would like to share with all our followers the song about the river Vjosa.
By Fiona Zekthi
