by Eleonora Anello
150. This is the number of “Big Jump” that Sunday, July 11 to 3 p.m. will be held in all major European river basins. This is not a Eastern mystical experience or a purification ritual, and you can imagine taking a look at our rivers, but it is a campaign promoted by the European Rivers Network (ERN), which provides that the same hour, in a same day, a collectively jump in the major rivers of European cities. The big jump has the function of awareness of unsuspecting passers-by and those who will enjoy the show and, thanks to the media response that will raise the unusual gesture, today, it put the spotlight on the quality of the water and on the recovery of bathing into largest rivers. The demonstration will also encourage the institutions to take action to carry out large urban projects that include these parts of town now falling into neglect and indifference.
150. This is the number of “Big Jump” that Sunday, July 11 to 3 p.m. will be held in all major European river basins. This is not a Eastern mystical experience or a purification ritual, and you can imagine taking a look at our rivers, but it is a campaign promoted by the European Rivers Network (ERN), which provides that the same hour, in a same day, a collectively jump in the major rivers of European cities. The big jump has the function of awareness of unsuspecting passers-by and those who will enjoy the show and, thanks to the media response that will raise the unusual gesture, today, it put the spotlight on the quality of the water and on the recovery of bathing into largest rivers. The demonstration will also encourage the institutions to take action to carry out large urban projects that include these parts of town now falling into neglect and indifference.
What today seems a bizarre initiative, only a few decades ago a dip in the river was considered as a normal remedy for cooling the summer heat, will be an opportunity to invite people to reappropriate these areas, to reconsider a common resource. As the movement through its website says, the twentieth century was a time when our continent rivers have lost appeal: their access is often not possible and some basins have become veritable open-air dumps. It is as if people and governments have turned their backs to the river, often the true symbol of some cities, such as the Po in Turin, the Seine in Paris or the Danube in Vienna... and the examples are many.
In Italy there are several Big Jump, from the Po to the Adda, or even the marred Lambro. On the website of Legambiente you can see a map of places initiative. To the demonstration for water in the water is given particular emphasis on Facebook but now the official accessions are contained for Turin (North Italy).
Through the their actions, the ERN has shown that the "reconciliation" between citizens and their rivers, the return to have strong ties, may be possible. The Big Jump in 2002, the International Swimming Elbe-Day, gathered 100,000 people to celebrate the rediscovery of the Elbe, a course that appeared to be among the most polluted in Europe. From the source of the Elbe in the Czech Republic through East Germany, at the mouth, near Hamburg, were organized into 55 points thousands of miles operated by more than 200 local groups. Since then, those of the ERN swear what has been achieved for Elbe, will also be realized for rivers, lakes and villages, everywhere! The event also kicked off a serious redevelopment project that allowed the Germans to defend not only the river but also to live it.
The administrations at central level have moved in favour of water conservation through a directive given by the European Community. This is definitely a great legislative instrument is not efficient enough to achieve good results. The ERN and all the divers have understood that it is essential to obtain public support.
We hope that the Big Jump may be the precursor of a new era as a urge for new urban projects that make return the rivers popular, as they were not long ago, and also the setting for cycling, theatre of workshops and hiking paths.
In Italy there are several Big Jump, from the Po to the Adda, or even the marred Lambro. On the website of Legambiente you can see a map of places initiative. To the demonstration for water in the water is given particular emphasis on Facebook but now the official accessions are contained for Turin (North Italy).
Through the their actions, the ERN has shown that the "reconciliation" between citizens and their rivers, the return to have strong ties, may be possible. The Big Jump in 2002, the International Swimming Elbe-Day, gathered 100,000 people to celebrate the rediscovery of the Elbe, a course that appeared to be among the most polluted in Europe. From the source of the Elbe in the Czech Republic through East Germany, at the mouth, near Hamburg, were organized into 55 points thousands of miles operated by more than 200 local groups. Since then, those of the ERN swear what has been achieved for Elbe, will also be realized for rivers, lakes and villages, everywhere! The event also kicked off a serious redevelopment project that allowed the Germans to defend not only the river but also to live it.
The administrations at central level have moved in favour of water conservation through a directive given by the European Community. This is definitely a great legislative instrument is not efficient enough to achieve good results. The ERN and all the divers have understood that it is essential to obtain public support.
We hope that the Big Jump may be the precursor of a new era as a urge for new urban projects that make return the rivers popular, as they were not long ago, and also the setting for cycling, theatre of workshops and hiking paths.
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