Flowing waters: voices of the rivers

Join our Night of Ideas along the Danube: a journey with BatoLabo to explore rivers, art, science, and nature’s voice.

Night of Ideas 2026 - “Flowing waters: voices of the rivers”

When and where ?
This year, the Night of Ideas will take place on the Henriette-Fahrbach-Promenade, along the Danube Canal, on 7 July from 5 to 10 PM, in partnership with BatoLabo. This traditional Loire barge has journeyed from France along Europe’s rivers, bringing with it a unique space for dialogue, creativity, and reflection.

Detailed Programme:
5:00 PM - Opening remarks

H.E. Mr. Matthieu Peyraud, Ambassador of France to Austria ;
Ms. Monika Mörth, Head of Section “Water Management”, Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BML)

5:30 PM - Musical performance aboard “La Fillonerie” & Spoken readings

A poetic and musical interlude on the river, featuring artistic performances and readings.

With Chloé Löwy-Girardeau, the BatoLabo crew, Tatiana Paris & Franziska Füchsl

6:30 PM - Break, refreshments & “low-tech” funfair

7:00 PM - Keynote: “When nature becomes a subject of rights”

by Emmanuel Schlichter & Thomas Wallentin

7:30 PM - Roundtable discussion: “Voices of the rivers”

This roundtable will explore river rights, particularly in the context of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), alongside river navigation practices and fluvial narratives.

Speakers:

Chloé Löwy-Girardeau & Samuel Botreau (BatoLabo)
Birgit Vogel, Executive Secretary (ICPDR)
Thomas Wallentin (Rights for Nature)
Moderator: Marguerite Comoy (Institut français d’Autriche)

8:45 PM – Break & refreshments

9:00 PM - Cinema on the sails: Short films screening

“BatoLabo Vogue sur l’Eau” (4min41), directed by Caroline Le Roy
“Loire, film de bord” (42min), directed by Simon Serna followed by a Q&A session with the BatoLabo crew.

10:00 PM - Closing of the event

Useful information:
The event will be held in English
Food will be available on site