Our NGO ‘Parallel-Silistra’ NGO has launched its new project “Memory and Future. Stories for the Danube Civilization “, funded under the Cross-Border Cooperation Program INTERREG V-A Romania-Bulgaria 2014-2020, ROBG-420. The first kick-off event was held on September 24th.
The aim of the project is to contribute to the sustainable use of Danube resources by exploring the cross-border heritage of the fishing communities and presenting this legacy as an example of preserving the ecosystems of the river.
The project aims to:
– Explore and present to the general public the unique cultural heritage of fishermen and their practices for preserving a sustainable ecosystem in and around the river;
– Preserve this legacy for future generations through more measures to protect natural and cultural heritage in joint development strategies and policies;
– Demonstrate that economic profitability can be combined with protecting and preserving the natural and cultural environment by creating and developing integrated tourism products based on Danube fishing heritage.
Within the framework of the active cross-border partnership under the project, the following concrete results will be achieved:
1. There will be identified, described and visualized 10 existing fishing communities in the Bulgarian-Romanian section of the Danube, through field and audiovisual research and application of a scientific approach, as a result of which will be created an Internet-based digital database of the fishing cultural heritage on the Danube.
2. 9 strategic documents related to the conservation and sustainable use of cultural and historical heritage will be developed and promoted as well as the development of the 10 fisheries communities as tourist destinations
3. 15 integrated tourism products based on the materials and knowledge accumulated within the project will be created, promoted and tested.
The project covers the whole cross-border region and is implemented within the specific settlements where active fishing communities have been identified.
Project partners are:
Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rousse, Bulgaria (Lead Partner);
Non-profit Association “Parallel – Silistra”, Bulgaria;
Regional Historical Museum – Rousse, Bulgaria;
Akchez Association – Calarasi, Romania;
Local fishing group “Dunarii Calarasheana” – Calarasi, Romania.