Vienna's Danube River: Preserving the Fading Tradition of Krandaubel Fishing

Along Vienna's Danube River lies a hidden cultural treasure: the 'Daubelfischerei,' a traditional form of net fishing practiced from small, distinctive boats. These vessels, often moored just meters from the shore, are characterized by a square net, the 'Daubel,' suspended in the air, indicating that fishing is in progress or nets are being repaired.

Access to these boats typically requires swimming or knowing the owners, who then allow visitors to board and use a rope system to reach the 'Krandaubel.' This specific type of boat utilizes a rope-and-pulley mechanism, making the process less physically demanding than hand-operated methods. The practice emphasizes returning unwanted fish unharmed to the river.

Artist Natascha Muhic has become deeply involved with this tradition, inspired by a film project. She now actively participates in the Krandaubel community, finding profound beauty in observing the Danube's seasonal changes from her boat. Muhic is dedicated to preserving this ancient practice, which is increasingly threatened by modern development and changing lifestyles.

Muhic has documented Vienna's remaining Krandaubel boats through a unique art project. She created a series of sound-and-image postcards, capturing portraits of each existing boat. For the audio component, musicians were invited to reinterpret Johann Strauss's 'Danube Waltz.' This project, exhibited and presented live, aims to bring attention to and celebrate the Krandaubel tradition, ensuring it is not forgotten.