There is no giving up and now, all of us together, we must close our ranks in defense of the magical nature of the Balkans. Let’s go! naši!
Journalist: Maja Isović Dobrijević
The concert for the preservation of the Balkan rivers, where the Partibrejkers and Darko Rundek & Ekipa will perform, organised by the Center for Environment as part of the regional campaign “Save the blue heart of Europe”, will be held on September 17th at Kastel Fortress in Banja Luka, starting at 8:00 p.m. Entrance to the concert is free.
Before the concert in Banja Luka, Darko Rundek talks about the importance of protecting rivers, the campaign for river protection and other topics.
In the last year, significant progress has been made when it comes to the protection of rivers on the territory of the entire BiH, as well as the region. How much is this an incentive not to give up the fight for the protection of rivers, but to fight even harder?
Yes, significant progress has been made toward river protection, giving up must not be an option. I’m often on the road and don’t manage to support all the initiatives, but I’m really happy with all the positive news that comes to me. I remember well the day when I was informed that the law on electricity in BiH had been amended and thus prevented further invasions by SHPs cementing rivers, as well as that criminal charges had been filed against the minister responsible for most of the ecological tragedies in BiH, the impounding and cementing of the Doljanka river on where I met some wonderful local people last summer and saw with my own eyes that concrete despair and tragedy, as well as everything that happens on the rivers around Kraljevo in Serbia. Again, it seems to me that we now have a problem of large dams on rivers such as the divine Neretva, Bosna, Drina, Bistrica, and I also heard about Komarnica in Montenegro.
Preservation and protection of rivers and forests will certainly be another decade-long stage in our joint efforts, but we are on the right track: dedication, principles, association and solidarity are our allies in this.
I have noticed that the awareness of people in the Balkans regarding the issue of ecology, and thus the topic of the health and freedom of our rivers, is much greater and is getting stronger. It is the result of the hard and dedicated work of many Balkan eco-organizations, the “Save the Blue Heart” campaign has managed to do a great deal with the artists in this regard, and I hope that I myself with my team made at least a small contribution to that. There are too many environmental problems, but there will be more and more of us who care.
The whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina was shocked by the statement of one municipality head (Šipovo Municipality) that the rivers flow in vain, just because of such statements we must be ready to protect the rivers, that, if necessary, we defend the rivers with our bodies?
It’s funny but also devastating that someone can even dare to think such a thing in such a challenging time when the whole world is running out of water. In my head, however, the statement of the activists from Neretvica rings louder and more often: blood or water! So, there is no giving up and now, all of us together, we must close our ranks in defence of the magical nature of the Balkans. Let’s go!
How important is it for famous artists to get involved in the river protection campaign, so that the voice of their salvation is heard more strongly?
Public figures from non-political spheres who have integrity and credibility are very important, because we can trust them to defend the common interest, not private and short-term profits.
How important is it to talk publicly and point out the situation with the rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so that the public understands the gravity of the situation?
It is extremely important, because people must become aware that there are values of life and survival that go beyond daily politics and private greed and that citizens have the right and power to protect and defend. Bosnia and Herzegovina is rich in rivers and water and must be aware of its wealth and protect it, for its own good and the good of the whole world.
What specifically encouraged you to get involved in this river protection campaign, there are not many artists who are ready for that step?
Rivers and forests are the basis of life, biodiversity and resistance to the climate changes that have begun. There are no forests without rivers. The time of growing up is ahead of us. A time when we can joyfully rely on what is important, on life itself. I’m glad if I can help protect rivers and I’m glad that there are people and organizations that succeed in that fight.
How important is it to raise public awareness when it comes to environmental issues, according to the latest reports, the time for salvation is running out?
The time to save the civilization as we knew it fifty years ago and which is now already taking distorted forms, is gone. But perhaps there is time for a thorough adaptation to the collapse of the economy and changes in nature that would spare us violence and vandalism. It requires an objectively informed public and self-aware citizens ready to self-organize by representing the general interest.
What, according to you, can everyone do in their life to change things at least a little. What are the messages you would give to the people who like, follow and listen?
It is important to create as little garbage as possible and use as little energy as possible. It is important to boycott the meat and dairy industry because of its cruelty and because of its enormous consumption and pollution of water, emission of greenhouse gases and participation in deforestation. It is important to try to be as less dependent on systems as possible, grow at least part of your own food, switch to solar energy and perhaps most importantly, join forces with others in search of what really makes us happy and fulfilled. Take life into your own hands in cooperation with nature.
This September you will perform on a big concert in Banja Luka, where the main slogan will be “Freedom by rivers!” What are some other messages you will send from the concert in Banja Luka?
The free flow of rivers enables life and freedom around it. Rivers in pipes are the next step in the covering everything with concrete, which leads to disaster.
Let us remind you that Darko Rundek and Zoran Kostić Cane (Partibrejkers) are one of the first artists in the region who raised their voice for saving the rivers of the Balkans and joined the “Artists for Balkan Rivers” campaign, whose aim is to spread awareness about alarming plans for the construction of over 3,000 small hydroelectric power plants on rivers in the wider territory of the Balkans, of which over 400 are planned or already under construction in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The concert for the preservation of the rivers of the Balkans, at which Partibrejkers and Rundek & Ekipa will perform, organized by the Center for Environment as part of the regional campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe”, will be held on September 17th at Kastel Fortress in Banja Luka, starting at 8 p.m. Entrance to the concert is free.