This year’s edition of Escale à Sète will feature several Croatian traditional boats
We recently reported that the members of Palagruza Association from Vis island had been invited to participate in the Escale à Sète, the world-famous festival of maritime heritage that will take place in the French port of Sète from March 27 to April 2.
Well, gundula and sandula of Komiža won’t be the only Croatian traditional wooden boats presented to the festival audience in Sète. As Morski.hr reports on February 17, 2018, the boatmen of the river Neretva will soon be heading to France as well.
The Neretva lađa
The Association for Preservation of Heritage of Neretva and the Association of Neretva Boatmen will present their traditional vessels known as lađa and trupa, along with culinary specialties indigenous to Neretva Valley and the area’s overall tourist offer.
Maraton Lađa 2011 / MaGa on Commons
You might have heard about Neretva’s boats before, as they’re the central feature of a riveting sports event: tens of thousands of spectators gather on the riverbank to watch the spectacular Maraton Lađa, a traditional amateur rowing marathon held each year in August.
Maraton Lađa / Commons
Actually, boatmen wasn’t the best choice of words – the traditional lađa will be presented in France by an all-female crew team. The ladies of Neretva will be wearing special checkerboard uniforms designed for this very occasion.
Wooden boats of Komiža and Neretva will be joined by the Lošinj pasara, the Kvarner guc and the Condura Croatica from Nin. A fine display of Croatian traditional shipbuilding with gems originating from all parts of the coast.
Condura Croatica / Commons
The festival in Sète is seen as a valuable opportunity for promotion of Croatian maritime heritage, as 400.000 visitors from all over the world are expected at this year’s edition.
