Written by: Krsta Pašković (below), President of the Danube Propeller Nautical Association and member of the presidency of the International Association IWI
Life paths often unfold in unpredictable ways. I recall the beginning of a remarkable collaboration that not only endures to this day but has grown into a unique and invaluable relationship. David and I were united by our passion for aquatic environments—rivers, canals, lakes, and all water bodies that can contribute to nautical tourism.
Our connection began when Mr. Michel Paul Simon recommended me to David Edwards-May, based on correspondence I had sent him years earlier. Shortly thereafter, David extended New Year’s greetings to me in 1998, and that initial contact established the foundation for a long-lasting friendship and professional cooperation.
My affinity for rivers and canals deepened significantly during my visit to the Nautical Fair in Paris in 1990. There, I witnessed how France, now the preeminent force in inland waterway tourism, cultivates and advances this sector. Through years of correspondence and intellectual exchange with nautical enthusiasts worldwide, collaboration with David—a genuine authority in this field, whose expertise and insights have become an integral part of my professional development—emerged naturally.
REVIVAL OF SERBIA'S NAUTICAL POTENTIAL
The impetus for this presentation and celebration of our partnership stems from a desire to chronicle the key initiatives and accomplishments throughout these past two and a half decades. Encompassing all we have achieved together presents a challenge, particularly regarding our endeavors to revitalize nautical tourism in the Middle Danube Basin, where Serbia occupies a strategic position.
My significant revelation in 1991 was that throughout Europe and beyond, awareness of Serbia’s extensive network of rivers, canals, and lakes—the most comprehensive in the Balkan Peninsula—was virtually nonexistent. During the conference, we arranged two study excursions—from Belgrade to Kladovo and from Novi Sad to Bezdan.
This partnership unveiled an entirely new realm for me—a world where waterways are not merely utilized but thoughtfully maintained and nurtured with exceptional dedication. Over the years, I have had the privilege to observe firsthand how communities across Europe have developed and preserved their canals, not just over decades but through centuries.
This partnership unveiled an entirely new realm for me—a world where waterways are not merely utilized but thoughtfully maintained and nurtured with exceptional dedication
My first study expedition took me to France, where we explored the Alpine region from Grenoble to the port terminal in Lyon. Subsequently, thanks to the World Canals Conference (WCC), I visited numerous countries and regions: Liverpool and Scotland in the UK, Rochester, NY, USA and Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Groningen in the Netherlands, Toulouse in France, the Lombardy Canals in and around Milan in Italy, Leipzig in Germany, Ghent in Belgium, as well as regions of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Each journey yielded valuable insights into the development and preservation of waterways across centuries, including canals constructed more than 450 years ago (Canal du Midi, 1667-1694).
In addition to field research, the WWW newsletter, authored and edited by David, provided an indispensable source of information. Through this publication, I regularly monitored developments in nautical tourism globally—from China to Africa. A particularly significant milestone in our cooperation was my presentation at the European Parliament in Brussels, where a conference dedicated to rivers and canals, from Limerick to Kiev, was held at the initiative of IWI and other organizations, piloted by David.
JOINT INITIATIVES IN SERBIA
I wish to highlight the notable initiatives we implemented together in the Middle Danube Basin in 2003. We brought a delegation of experts from England, France, Belgium, and Denmark to the “Danube – River of Cooperation” conference, organizing a comprehensive study tour through Serbia.
One of our most significant undertakings was hosting the World Canals Conference (WCC2009) in Serbia, which gathered 115 experts and enthusiasts from numerous countries, most of whom had decades of experience in this field. During the conference, organised by Vode Vojvodine in Novi Sad, we arranged two study excursions to Bezdan and to Belgrade.
I particularly emphasize that over the previous two decades, we enhanced the Belgrade Nautical Fair with a series of lectures and photographic exhibitions at the Captains’ Club, drawing attention to the significance of inland waterways. David, as a gesture of support for this mission, once opened the Belgrade Nautical Fair and also delivered inspiring lectures on multiple occasions.
We also organized a study voyage from Budapest to Kladovo with nautical experts. A key project we pursued was the revitalization of the lock in Bezdan and the reopening of the waterway toward Timisoara—which was also the formal conclusion of the conference held in Novi Sad in 2009.
Through our collaboration, David has published hundreds of pieces of information about Serbia’s nautical potential in professional journals and bulletins of the United Nations and the European Parliament. I believe his efforts significantly contributed to raising awareness about the challenges facing rivers and canals in Serbia within the European Union, resulting in grants for the restoration of the Bezdan and Šebešfok locks, as well as for improvements to the waterway to Timisoara.
One of our greatest achievements was showcasing Serbia’s water resources at the world’s largest boat exhibition in Düsseldorf, where we organized presentations for three consecutive years.
This collaboration has facilitated numerous positive developments, contributing to heightened awareness regarding the importance of our rivers and canals. I hereby express my gratitude to David Edwards May, the international organization IWI, association members, organizers of the World Canals Conference (WCC), and editors of the WWW newsletter, because our collective mission has left an enduring impact.
