Regatta of traditional boats in Rovinj

(Photo credit: Dalibor Talajić)

The Rovinj Regatta celebrates coming of age and important anniversaries with an attractive program

The traditional boats of the Rovinj Regatta, celebrating its 18th edition, will set sail from June 7 to 9. The event will feature the attractive sailboats “Nerezinac” and “Tartana”, a night parade, workshops for children, and a unique gastronomic experience called “Viràda in pignàta”.

This year’s regatta holds special significance as it aligns with important anniversaries for the city of Rovinj-Rovigno.

The Ecomuseum “Batana”, which is listed in the UNESCO Register of Good Practices, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Over the past two decades, the museum has been dedicated to preserving Rovinj’s maritime heritage. As part of the Coordination of Associations for the Preservation and Revitalization of the Maritime, Fishing, and Shipbuilding Heritage of Kvarner and Istria, it has been active for 10 years and has successfully completed numerous joint projects.

The Rovinj regatta, which brings together around 40 traditional boats from the broader Adriatic area, provides an ideal opportunity to celebrate another significant milestone. In the last two years, the art of traditional sailing with lug and lateen sails along the Croatian coast has been officially recognized and included in the National Register of Cultural Properties of the Republic of Croatia.

(Photo credit: Dalibor Talajić)

This year’s regatta is particularly important as it is being held as part of the Adriatic PorTLand Interreg Italy-Croatia project, where the “House of Batana – Casa della Batana” Institution is the leading partner. This project aims to connect river and coastal traditional navigation and shipbuilding, as well as to define new tourist routes through the promotion of heritage.

There are many reasons to celebrate, and they will be reflected in the three-day attractive program that will take place at the Big Pier, the Rovinj waterfront, and the area stretching from the Small Pier to the Big Pier and from Montrava to Figarola.

FRIDAY, JUNE 7 – VIEW OF THE LOŠINJ SAILING BOAT “NEREZINAC”, ADRIATIC PORTLAND EXCHANGE LAB AND GASTRONOMY FESTIVAL FOR REGATTA PARTICIPANTS

The impressive Lošinj logger “Nerezinac” transformed into a floating interpretation center will add to the festive atmosphere of the Rovinj Regatta. There will be organized guided tours of the outer part of the sailing ship and a multimedia display on the lower deck from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will be an exciting attraction for the lower grades of Rovinj elementary schools. Students will have the opportunity to learn about life on board and Lošinj’s maritime tradition through five thematic units: crew, food, cargo, maritime routes, and ship construction and maintenance.

(Photo credit: Dalibor Talajić)

Joining the event will be last year’s guest, the sailing ship “Tartana”, which features a 16-meter deck and a mast over 20 meters tall. Tartans were once the most common ships in the Mediterranean, used by pirates, fishermen, and even warriors. This model was primarily used for trade and transport along the coast.

Friday will also feature new activities as part of the Adriatic PorTLand project, which will include a full-day program organized by the leading partner, the “House of batana” institution. The project partners will first gather at local tavern Spacio Matika for the theoretical workshop part of the program (Exchange lab), featuring interesting lectures and an exchange of experiences. The practical part will take place at sea, where traditional rowing techniques will be demonstrated to the participants.

(Photo credit: Dalibor Talajić)

The competing boats will arrive in Rovinj-Rovigno between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and will be docked at the Great Pier, creating a small outdoor exhibition. At 7:00 p.m., there will be a greeting to the participants and the official opening of the event. From 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., there will be a cooking show called “Viràda in pignàta!” offering a new and delicious experience.

In addition to showcasing their traditional boats, the participants of the Regatta will also present their culinary skills this year. Each invited association will introduce visitors to the authentic flavors of their region through stands and tastings. This culinary experience will complement the entertainment program provided by the “Viècia Ruveìgno” group.

(Photo: Visit Lošinj)

SATURDAY, JUNE 8 – 18TH ROVINJ REGATTA, WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN AND NIGHT DEFILE OF ALL CREWS

The event’s main goal is to preserve the knowledge and art of sailing with a mainsail, as well as the technique of manufacturing and painting it. Experienced competitors will be preparing for an adrenaline-filled race in the morning, while young visitors can enjoy various workshops on the coast. There will be a children’s workshop titled “I’m fishing on my own!” in cooperation with the Sports Fishing Club – Club di pesca sportiva “Meduza” on Big Pier from 10 am to 12 pm. Children can paint small lugsails, create cardboard models of small batanas, and add color to the large lugsail of the oldest batana “Risorta”.

At 11:30 a.m., the Rovinj regatta will start, with the winner being announced at 2:30 p.m. Afterward, there will be a traditional joint dinner on the big pier, followed by the award ceremony at 8:30 p.m. The folklore ansamble “Marco Garbin” – Italian Community “Pino Budicin” Rovinj-Rovigno will perform at 9:30 p.m. The day will end with a night parade of all the boats, promoting the preservation of maritime heritage and fostering bonds of friendship. The regatta will conclude on Sunday, June 9, with all participants sailing together to the islet of Figarola at 10 a.m.

(Photo credit: Silvija Jacić)

The organization of this important manifestation Ecomuseo-Ecomuseo “Batana”, Association-Associazione and Institution-Institution “House of Batana – Casa della Batana” will be realized in cooperation with the Sailing Club – Club di vela “Maestral” Rovinj-Rovigno with the support of the Tourist Board of the City of Rovinj – Ente per il turismo della Città di Rovigno and under the auspices of the City of Rovinj-Rovigno – Città di Rovinj-Rovigno and with the sponsorship of ACI d.d. Rijeka, Valalta d.o.o. Rovinj-Rovigno and Proficio d.d. Zagreb.