A handmade, woolen „River-carpet“ made by people coming from all Danube countries as a sign of understanding between people.
In order to demonstrate the solidarity among the Danube countries, the “Danube-Networkers” in Ulm started in November 2013 the European project „Die gewollte Donau“ / „The wanted Danube“.
The project aims at demonstrating understanding between people, in spite of the lack of common language. It should also inform about the various civil society initiatives with similar goals along the Danube. The river carpet represents preparedness to work together in Europe. It inspires getting to know the people and cultures, the history and the politics along the second longest river in Europe. On many of the locations, knitting actions are accompanied by events in the areas of country cultures, literature, politics or music.
The measured and registered knitted carpet will be sewn together by passionate “knitters” to squares (50×50 cm).
On the 13.7.2014 in the frame of the International Danube Festival, the individual parts will be brought together at the Cathedral Square in Ulm to form a huge river carpet representing the course of the river Danube. Numerous guests from the Danube countries are expected to take part in this event. At the end of the action, the individual pieces of this joint piece of art will be sold as sitting cushions or wall hangings. The profit from the sale will be used to support social, cultural, as well as ecological initiatives in the south-eastern European countries. Then this community project should foster sustainability.
The project is coordinated by the Association ILEU e.V. (Institut für virtuelles und reales Lernen in der Erwachsenenbildung an der Universität Ulm) and receives financial support from the Bürgerstiftung and the Baden-Württembrg Stiftung.
Further information: www.-diegewolltedonau.de, www.danube-networkers.eu