Danube-Networkers
Multicultural Experiences along the Danube River
Text: Antica Popovic
In the Danube Networkers project there are participants from seven (out of ten) countries settled on both sides of the Danube river. We work together in different activities and promote cooperation and understanding between people. Although English and German are the official project languages, during the meetings in Vienna last autumn, we spoke additional six languages among us!
This project brings together the older generation of people who have a life-long experience from different political states and regimes and can tell interesting stories about the Danube River and its influence to people during the last century and recent history, national culture and modern life as well. The river runs from West to East and it does not divide, but connects people along its way.
Although from different countries, we have a lot in common. Here are some small examples: a word “hren” (horseradish) is used in Croatia, Romania and Austria and means the same thing, the plant used in cooking. Albert Einstein, the world-famous physicist, was born in Ulm (Germany), was married to Mileva Maric from Novi Sad (Serbia) where they lived for a while, then moved to Prague (Check Republic), Berlin (Germany) and finally to the US.
During our last gathering in Vienna, we sang songs about the Danube river in all different languages and enjoyed the time together. Let’s hope the ideas and achievements of this project will continue to exist even beyond the project’s final date.
