The Eger Stream… A Unique Project of Art and Nature near the Lake Balaton
„Culture of the landscape, landscape of the culture”
One of the most wonderful natural treasures of the northern highlands of the Hungarian Lake Balaton and the Southern part of the Bakony hills is the 32 km long Eger stream. It flows out into the Lake Balaton and got its name from the beautiful alder trees (“éger”) growing along this small stream.
The thirteen settlements along the stream are ancient witnesses of the “waterfront” history, such as a Roman martial road – the „via magna” – that passed through here. Furthermore several castles, monasteries, the magnific prehistoric volcanic basalt hills and, of course, the 39 old water mills – once upon a time all parts of the history along the stream.
The special project, called „The role of art in preserving the ‘EGER-Víz’ stream, in thirteen villages in the northern Balaton district” has been created for the promotion of the sustainability of the energetic “living water”. The tools applied here are the power of art and science, and the mutual efforts of the community.
For the preservation of the wetlands and sources, local governments and civil organizations of the settlements are joining their forces. Another goal is the exploration of the natural values and mapping out the problems of this micro-region.
In the course of the programmes of “Veszprém-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture”, held from spring to autumn 2023, thirteen special eco-art events and tours will take place in and around the villages. The title of this unusual program is “The Eger-Water Days”.
One of the project’s aim is to set up a number of water-related exhibitions and land art installations along the stream, under the title „Bridge and Landscape Path of Art”.
With the involvement of young people and the inhabitants of the villages, there will be a joint action “Let’s clean the stream”, furthermore several educational and pilot programs in the local schools.
Topics related to water management and climate problems will be discussed at various conferences and workshops, realized with the professional support of the Balaton Highland National Park, the Pannon University, the Central Transdanubian Water Services Regulation Authority, the Tihany Limnological Research Institute and the WWF Hungary.
The organizers are also planning to create an eco model garden on the waterfront. Depending on the experiences and practical outcome, their aim is to continue the 2023 project in the coming years after.