On Saturday, April 25th, 2026, the event “Cleaning of the Hornád River” culminated in the Slovak Paradise National Park. The event had been running since April 4th under the auspices of the Administration of the Slovak Paradise National Park, with support from the project “Tourists and Nature Together” within the Swiss-Slovak Cooperation Programme. At the same time, the Water Day event—initiated by paddlers from several Slovak canoeing clubs—also took place and culminated on Saturday, April 25 in the Slovak Paradise.

Both events recorded exceptionally high participation this year, partly thanks to favorable weather. A total of 346 volunteers took part in the Hornád River cleanup (the highest number in all editions yet), and 45 paddlers participated in the Water Day event. Together, they managed to relieve the Hornád River of waste amounting to a record 726 bags. Participants cleaned the river both from boats on the water and on foot from its banks.

The educational and professional dimension of the event was provided by Associate Professor Peter Manko from the Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences of the University of Prešov. At the beginning of the cleanup, he presented a study focused on researching the cleanliness of the Hornád River. At a station at Hrdlo Hornádu, he collected a water sample from the Veľká Biela voda stream, where, together with curious participants, he observed the species composition and abundance of invertebrates on site. Based on the occurrence of specific species and their numbers, the quality and cleanliness of water can be evaluated according to the Standard Table for the Biotic Index. He repeated the survey at another station at Letanovský mlyn using a sample from the Hornád River, where a different species composition of invertebrates was confirmed, indicating higher water pollution compared to the Veľká Biela voda stream. Associate Professor Manko emphasized that if visitors to the national park witness pollution of the river, it is necessary to report it to the Administration of the Slovak Paradise National Park.

Participants collected waste very diligently—none of the bags remained half-empty. As a symbolic reward, tasty refreshment in the form of goulash was provided to them. The participants greatly appreciated the event. Together, they enjoyed a sunny day and a good atmosphere while also doing a good deed for the nature of the Slovak Paradise.

We sincerely thank all entities, companies, and organizations that supported this year’s Hornád cleanup: 200 ton z lesa von, Správca zálohového systému, Municipality of Hrabušice, OZ Pstruhy Raja, Brantner,  KST Breznovica, KST Spišské Tomášovce, KST Prielom, Embraco Slovakia, Municipality of Betlanovce, Municipality and Primary School Spišské Bystré, Local Organization of the Slovak Angling Association Spišská Nová Ves, canoeing clubs from Smižany, Košice, Poprad, Čadca, Moldava nad Bodvou, and others.