World Water Day 2009

Wasserland Steiermark
Graz, Austria, 27 Mar 09

Wasserland Steiermark

The International World Water Day takes place every year on March 22nd. Due to the fact that this was a Sunday the events in Graz took place on Friday the 27th of March. On this day the importance and value of water resources are brought to mind, this year with a focus on “Transboundary Water”.

This years programme included presentations and discussion on the Management of Water Resources with a focus on Africa in the AAI (Afro Asiatisches Institut). Other interesting events were guided tours through Graz, discovering a lot of new things about the valuable resource water, in the city. As every year a 9,8 km long running course has been organised passing through the sewer system under the city, which was joined by many enthusiastic athletes. The track followed the river Mur, starting from the water plant of Andritz until the Augarten. There is an entrance into the sewer system of the Grazbach which continued underground until Raimundgasse and then crossed the city park above ground until the finishing line at the Karmeliterplatz. Nordic walkers were cordially welcome.

The evening event that took place in the auditorium of the old university was framed with music from “Musikwerkstatt Ed Luis” and “Insingizi”. One of the highlights was the award ceremony of the “Neptun Wasserpreis”, an award designed to bring forward the peoples awareness on water. Everybody was delighted to finish the evening enjoying the traditional fish soup with a glass of cool beer or simply water.

Contact: Elfriede Stranzl