(VATICAN RADIO) Central and Eastern Europe is trying to overcome a stubborn heat wave
that has overshadowed Europe's largest music festival and caused wild fires in the
Balkans. Organizers distribute drinking water among many of the near 400,000 visitors
at the Sziget Festival in Budapest, where people can watch some 1.000 acts on 60 stages
in soaring temperatures. Even water hoses are used to keep revelers cool on the Óbuda-island
in the Danube river.
Temperatures have hit all-time highs in Hungary
and neighboring Austria as a stubborn heat wave nears the end of its second week.
Thursday's 40.5 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit) in Austria marked the the
first time that country has ever eclipsed the 40 C mark since daily records began
in 1858. The drought has also caused troubles in the nearby Balkans. Croatia sent
two water-dropping planes to nearby Bosnia to help battle wildfires set off by drought
and sweltering heat that threatened several villages.
A Russian aircraft was
dispatched to fight blazes in Serbia, a traditional ally of Russia. Temperatures also
nearly broke records in Poland. Here in Hungary, temperatures were have hit close
to 40 Celsius, officials have issued a heat warning, while some government ministries
have relaxed dress codes. For men, that means ties and jackets can be left at home.
For women, nylon stockings are optional. Yet at the Sziget Festival, thousands
walk in swimming suits as they rock their way, in plenty of sunshine.