Balkan Rivers Tour - Event # 2: Soča River (Si), April 18-19

River Soča is Slovenia’s most famous river and a hotspot for the global flyfishing community. It surfaces as an impressive karst spring in the Trenta Valley, inside Triglav National Park in the Julian Alps. After 137 km, it discharges into the Adriatic Sea in Italy. Along the river, climatic conditions change from harsh alpine to submediterranean, creating a picturesque region of high biodiversity. The highly diverse valley is characterized by deep narrow gorges as well as wide alluvial gravel plains. It is one of the very few places where genetically pure marble trouts (Salmo marmoratus) can be found.

Soča © Irena Kavčič Učja © Irena Kavčič

While five big as well as many small hydroelectric power plants are already operating on the river, many more are planned in the upper Soča Basin, particularly on the Učja River, one of the most intact tributaries of Soča. Učja is geomorphological, geological and hydrological monument of national importance and one of the last wild rivers in Slovenia.

Program

Monday, April 18th 9.45 – »Riverwalk« with 5th grade students of elementary school Bovec 10.30 – »More wild rivers for nature!« - decorating the bridge over Soča with the art work prepared by elementary school Bovec students (Prijon sport center, address: Čezsoča 12b, 5230 Bovec, Slovenia) 11.15 – Common photo 11.30 – »Throw rope game« with kayakers 13.00 – Kayakers departure for paddling Soča and Koritnica 15.00 – The arrival of the kayakers and warm lunch (free!) prepared by local association »From Sheep to Product« (Prijon sport center) 15.30 – Press conference (Prijon sport center) 19.00 – Announcement of the best art work and »Balkan Rivers Tour« presentation (Stergulčeva hiša, Bovec) 20.00 – »DamNation« movie screening (Stergulčeva hiša, Bovec) 22.00 – After party at Črna ovca, Bovec (Črna ovca, Bovec )

Tuesday, April 19th 10.00 – Kayakers departure for paddling Soča from Prijon sport center 11.00 – Kayakers stop at Boka to visit threatened Učja river 11.30 – Gathering at the Soča and Učja confluence and walking to the lower Učja canyon 13.30 – Kayakers continue to paddle along Soča (until Trnovo or Kamp Koren) 15.00 – Gathering at Kamp Koren and lunch 19.00 – Lecture about Balkan Rivers Tour (Kamp Koren) 20.00 – »One for the River – The Vjosa Story« movie screening (Kamp Koren) 22.00 – Party or just chilling out

Participants are invited to camp at Camp Prijon (€8/night) or Camp Koren (€11/night).

Contact:

Martin Šolar [email protected] +386 41 627 891 Irena Kavčič [email protected] +386 40 169 179

***** More info about the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign at www.balkanrivers.net *****