The all-day programme in Mírové Square combined science, environmental awareness, entertainment, and practical demonstrations of modern technologies, showing that environmental topics can be presented to the public in a clear, attractive, and engaging way across generations.
The ceremonial opening was also attended by Tomáš Kirbs, Deputy Governor of the Ústí nad Labem Region, who praised Litoměřice’s long-standing commitment to projects beneficial to the environment. Together with the Mayor of Litoměřice, Radek Löwy, the Head of the Environmental Department of the Municipal Office, Pavel Gryndler, the SYNERGYS project manager, Antonín Tym, and the Director of the Radioactive Waste Repository Authority (SÚRAO), Lukáš Vondrovic, he symbolically opened a day whose purpose was to demonstrate how closely nature conservation, air quality, responsible waste management, energy, and the future of the city are interconnected. The programme was intended for children, schools, families, and the general public alike.
Already in the morning, the event was attended by several hundred children, from nursery schools to secondary schools. These were not only pupils from Litoměřice, but also schoolchildren from Třebenice, Třebívlice, and other places in the region. For many of them, the educational and interactive activities offered by nearly twenty partners and exhibitors were a major attraction. Particular attention was drawn by the science show presented by Marstafit Libochovice, The Air We Breathe, or What Is Around Us, which explained phenomena around us in an entertaining way and captivated both younger and older visitors. Older audiences also appreciated the display of drill core samples taken from depths of up to one kilometre, as well as microfossils and macrofossils under the microscope, through which staff of the Czech Geological Survey introduced the geological past of the Litoměřice region.
It was precisely the diverse range of partners that gave the event its exceptional character. ASEKOL attracted attention, for example, with a mobile-phone throwing activity into a recycling container; ELEKTROWIN brought an inflatable attraction called Climb Over, Jump Over, Recycle and an exhibition on the recycling of electrical appliances; EKO-KOM highlighted the importance of everyday sorting of packaging waste; the Administration of the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area presented a travelling exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the protected landscape area; SÚRAO focused on radioactivity around us and the possibilities of shielding ionising radiation; and the SEVER Environmental Education Centre in Litoměřice prepared interactive activities on waste. The municipal technical services brought a mixed waste container and, before the eyes of visitors, staff of this municipal contributory organisation demonstrated how imperfect our sorting habits still are. The company MEVA presented a smart sorting bin, HENNLICH brought a mist cannon and other innovative technologies for cleaner and more efficient operation, Ekologické zdroje vytápění Čepička attracted attention with a solar-powered mini-brewery, a photovoltaic carport, and a demonstration of heat pumps, FCC BEC highlighted the importance of everyday work in waste management, and KIS plus brought equipment that helps maintain public spaces, greenery, and the cleanliness of the city.
The programme also included a lecture on what lies ahead in the field of the environment. Hydrogeologist Jaroslav Řihošek spoke about how water flows underground and what it reveals about itself. Geophysicist Lucie Janků explained where the heat beneath our feet comes from, how it travels, and how we actually know this. There was also a block devoted to geothermal energy, followed by a presentation by the popular science communicator Václav Cílek. The entire day concluded with a concert by the Litoměřice band Nestel Postel. Regional food producers were also represented at the event, including Pršuterie Chovaneček, New Kalich, Farma Držovice, BoMbon, and Chuť naší vesnice.
“I would like to thank all the partners who joined the event. They helped us show that environmental protection can take many forms — from scientific demonstrations and modern technologies to entirely practical matters that concern the everyday lives of each and every one of us. Thanks to them, today’s programme was so varied, illustrative, and inspiring for both children and adults,” said Pavel Gryndler, Head of the Environmental Department of the Municipal Office of Litoměřice, and Antonín Tym, SYNERGYS project manager, on behalf of the main organisers. “I am pleased that together we managed to prepare a day that was not only a celebration of Earth Day, but also a strong reminder that each of us must contribute to the future of our city and our landscape,” added Mayor Radek Löwy.
The event was co-financed by the European Union and the Ministry of the Environment במסגרת the SYNERGYS – Systems for Energy Synergy project.
