Cast in Bronze and Nursed in Seaweed – Apoxyomenos’ 1st Festival coincides with the 11th Festival of Lošinj Cuisine.
The most famous inhabitant of the Lošinj archipelago is the tall, handsome, Croatian Apoxyomenos; an ancient Greek statue, cast in bronze in the 2nd or 1st century BC. It represents an athlete, Apoxyomenos (the Scraper), caught in the act of scraping sweat and dust from his body. His story is sad and poetic, the tall work of art was discovered in 1996 on the bottom of the sea near the Croatian islet of Vele Orjule, Southeast of the island of Lošinj. He was kept secret for two years before finally being reported to the Croatian Ministry of Culture in 1998. Introduced finally to the World; he is the most complete and best preserved of eight other known Apoxyomenos. After nine years of touring world museums, the statue was given a permanent home in the Museum of Apoxyomenos in Mali Lošinj. A stunning and impressively put together work. Absolutely worth including in your Croatian sailing itinerary; click here to view the impressive website.
The first festival of Apoxyomenos and Ancient Times and the 11th Festival of Lošinj Cuisine are currently active on Island Mali Lošinj and will continue until May 22nd. The festival is a a great opportunity to experience historical life on Lošinj. It showcases historical elements such as Apoxyomenos ancient cuisine, ancient maritime sailing routes, diving on archaeological sites and traditional natural cosmetics. Fifteen local restaurants have created a dynamic and diverse offering of specialities made with typical ingredients of the ancient times; wheat, olives, and wine coupled with seafood; the basis of a modern day Mediterranean diet. More information can be found here.
The Croatian Apoxyomenos was lying, barely submerged on the sea floor, covered in sponges and other marine life. Detail on the statue is exquisite; including red copper inlaid lips and nipples. Bronze statues, such as this, are rare and many did not survive antiquity as they were melted down to make dishes, weapons, tools and coins. How many sailed directly over his watery resting place while he quietly waited to make his impact on us.
