Becoming an Island

The multidisciplinary event ‘Becoming an Island’ will be held on the beach Štrand from 22 to 31 July within The Danube Sea programme arch.

Becoming an Island is a pilot programme of The Danube Transformation Agency for Agency led by artists: Solmaz Farhang, Alexandra Fruhstorfer, Ege Kökel and Lena Violetta Leitner.

Try on a coat full of gravel, prepare your lunchbox covered in mud and take a sip of a vaccination cocktail with the taste of water! In the framework of the ‘Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture’ Foundation, The Danube Transformation Agency for Agency will guide you safely through the process of ‘Becoming an Island for a Danubian bird species – the Little Ringed Plover.’

For decades, the Danube riverbanks were shaped for the needs of humans alone. The regulation of the river promised control – for the production of power and for the prevention of flooding. However, this did not serve all critters equally well, including the Little Ringed Plover. The loss of habitats due to the river regulations made the birds’ population decline.

DTAFA – The Danube Transformation Agency for Agency – provides services and actions in order to mediate between species. The experimental agency developed a pioneering systematic training programme that enables human beach goers to become an island for the Little Ringed Plover. After successfully completing the courses, you will be well equipped with skills and tools to become a resting, mating and breeding ground for this migratory bird during their seasonal stay in Novi Sad.

From 22 – 31 July visitors of the programme within the ‘Beach’ pavilion and casual beachgoers are invited to learn more about the pilot programme and try out some of the training units while enjoying refreshments at DTAFA’s pop-up booth. Come by and embody the restoration of the bird’s habitat with us!

Photo: Photo by DTAFA, created with the kind support of the Bird Collection, Natural History Museum Vienna