Revival of the stories of the Sava River

A project open day for the ERDF-funded project Reviving the Stories of the Sava River took place on 20 June 2025 in Radeče. The aim of the event was to present the project, its goals, and deliverables to the general public. The project was carried out by the lead partner Cultural Tourist Recreatonal Centre Radeče together with the Municipality of Radeče and the Posavje Museum Brežice. It was also one of the short-listed finalists of the EU Project, My Project campaign.

Reviving the Stories of the Sava River put a spotlight on the longstanding tradition of rafting, aiming to promote and preserve local heritage, while engaging local community in sustainable tourism decision-making to attract visitors to Radeče and the region of Posavje.

As part of the project presentation, participants walked along the Savus educational trail and learned more about the riparian area. Later, they embarked on a ride on a wooden raft, the result of traditional craftsmanship and knowhow of local artisans and the centerpiece of the project. Its launch 6 years ago signalled the start of the project. They navigated the Sava River, which allowed them to experience the river from a different perspective. During the ride, the raftsman told the participants about the life and work of raftsmen in the past. The participants also watched two videos that provided important rafting-related general information and showcased the hidden gems of the municipality and learned all about the project, its milestones, and deliverables. They received a booklet called Stories of the Sava River. The booklet provides both the historical background to the events that took place on and along the Sava River and tips on what to do in the region of Posavje. The two videos and the booklet are project deliverables.  

Some of the project partners and stakeholders that took part in the project, i.e. local artisans, caterers, and craftsmen joined the event. Their collaboration has been close since the start of the project 6 years ago; many of them have been an indispensable part of annual raft ride days, which are one of the best experiences the region has to offer.  

The project was positively received and very successful in all respects. It helped revive the story of rafting, bring together the relevant actors and improve the quality of tourism services, while strengthening local identity. Moreover, the project opens up new possibilities, increases the visibility of the rafting heritage and builds awareness of the rich and longstanding tradition of rafting that profoundly shaped the communities in the region of Posavje.