Together for a Clean Ljubljanica
18 Apr 2025
On Saturday, April 19, the traditional spring environmental campaign For a More Beautiful Ljubljana will conclude with the cleaning of the Ljubljanica River. Between 10:00 and 14:00, the Shoemaker’s Bridge (Čevljarski most) will transform into a cozy open-air living room, where passers-by can relax, enjoy live piano performances, or take part in creating a large collaborative drawing inspired by Ljubljana and the Ljubljanica. During this time, numerous divers and other volunteers will be removing waste from the riverbed, accumulated over the past year. The collected waste will be weighed and put on display as a reminder that the river is not a dumping ground, but a shared space and responsibility.
This year’s river cleanup, the 34th in a row, will take place from Špica to the central Ljubljana market. Divers from the Vivera Underwater Activities Association and other members of the Slovenian Diving Federation will participate, along with fishermen, firefighters, boaters, rescuers, and others dedicated to keeping Ljubljana and the Ljubljanica clean. The waste will be gathered at the Shoemaker’s Bridge, where it will be displayed from 10:30 onwards as a visual reminder of the importance of protecting our river.
Open-air living room on the Shoemaker’s Bridge, piano performance, and collective artwork
As part of the final celebration of the For a More Beautiful Ljubljana campaign, the Shoemaker’s Bridge will be turned into an outdoor living room. At its heart will be a grand piano, where a young pianist will provide a pleasant musical ambiance. Visitors can sit on iconic pieces of Slovenian furniture, discover various recreational and cultural opportunities in Ljubljana, or simply take in the lively city atmosphere.
Meanwhile, a collaborative drawing will be created on a long canvas laid out on the ground, with participants invited to contribute illustrations inspired by the Ljubljanica and everything that lives near or beneath its surface. Using a special natural clay-like material, they will be able to imprint city details - like a manhole cover or a bolt from a city lamppost - dip it in paint, and press it onto the canvas. This creative workshop, developed by the company Sitar 1920, is designed especially to engage the youngest visitors in exploring their city and paying attention to its details, while also inviting people of all ages - locals, domestic, and international visitors - to take part.
Adding to the festive atmosphere will be elegantly dressed performers in tailcoats and bourgeois attire strolling along the riverbanks. Among them will be the mythical Povodni mož (Water Man), who will be looking for his beloved Urška and trying to lure her into the Ljubljanica.
The event will symbolically end with flowers being handed out to passers-by as a thank-you for their environmental awareness. The entire celebration will encourage locals and visitors alike to take shared responsibility for the Ljubljanica, its bridges, and riverbanks - beloved gathering spots - to help keep them clean, orderly, and welcoming for all, now and in the future.
Environmental Campaign For a More Beautiful Ljubljana
The traditional spring campaign For a More Beautiful Ljubljana, organized annually by the City of Ljubljana, runs from March 22 (World Water Day) to April 22 (Earth Day). It aligns with Ljubljana’s goals on the path to carbon neutrality. Through various activities, the campaign encourages residents to care for a green, clean, and well-maintained city.