Danube - A Tribute to the River and Its People 2025
On Monday, November 24, 2025, we hosted the event Danube – Tribute to the River and People on board the ship Harmónia. This exceptional gathering connects the story of the Danube with the stories of the people who live, work, and create around it. The event is an expression of respect for the river, which shaped the urban development of Bratislava, influenced the routing of its roads, bridges, and promenades, and became the natural center of cultural and social activities. It is also an annual remembrance of those who lost their lives working on the river – on ships, fishing, or other activities associated with the Danube. We honored their memory again this year with the symbolic laying of wreaths on the river's surface.
The following letter presents an expression of thanks and a summary of the cooperation on the event Danube – A Tribute to the River and the People, which took place in 2025. We are sharing it as a token of appreciation to our partners and to everyone who contributed to its preparation.
Dear Ms. Masariková,
This year’s ceremonial event Danube – A Tribute to the River and the People, together with the Commemoration of the Victims of the Danube, turned out to be truly exceptional. Thank you for the cooperation, even though it is a pity that you could not attend the event in person. In my texts, in the speeches of the guests, and in the performance of Ms. Gregorová, you were actively present as LOD, a.s., as well as the Harmónia boat.
I also highly appreciate the involvement and cooperation of your team. Tomáš Ondrča and colleagues Ms. Gregorová, Horská, Hruška, and Dingová were a great help in preparing the new concept of the event as well as in its execution.
Over the 20 years of the event’s modern tradition, this was the first time we managed to bring together major institutions connected to the river, such as Verejné prístavy, a.s., SPaP, a.s., the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic, the Transport Authority, LOD, a.s., and the Transport Museum, as well as smaller associations, sports clubs, Olympians, international companies such as KVANT, and city districts (I personally contacted and informed the mayors of Ružinov, Staré Mesto, and Karlova Ves).
The number of attendees and their participation were also exceptional – including CEOs, the state representative Ms. Žiláková, more than 30 captains, representatives of companies, and countless guests both on board the boat and on the riverbank.
I believe that this year’s project was also beneficial for LOD, a.s. I am pleased that we once again brought the Danube project, the importance of the river, safety, and the beauty of the Harmónia boat to RTVS, TV Markíza, as well as Radio Vlna and Slovak Radio.