BIG JUMP
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Vision
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10 000 beaches for Europ's living rivers - only
a vision ?
No, the Elbe River is the example
In
2002, a pilot “Big Jump” project, the "International
Elbe-Swimming Day” gathered 100.000
people who celebrated the rediscovery of their River Elbe, a
river that was the most polluted river in Europe in 1989 (Reunification
of Germany).
Project
"Lebendige Elbe"
Hundreds
of actions, from a simple event to the revival of old traditions,
including the reopening of beaches and historical bathing equipments,
took place during this unique project. The event was created
by Roberto Epple from the ERN European Rivers Network and realized
by the Living Elbe project partners Deutsche Umwelthilfe and
Gruner+Jahr.
From
the source of the Elbe in the Czech Republic, through Eastern
Germany to the estuary near Hamburg, 55 swimming spots on thousand
kilometres were counted and supervised by more than 200 local
organizing groups.
What
has been made possible for the Elbe river will be achieved too
for other rivers, water basins and countries, everywhere !
