September 5, 2023 – The traditional art of sailing with lateen and lug sails has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage and, as of this year, has formally made its way into the Register of Cultural Property of the Republic of Croatia. The Homo na Jidra traditional Croatian regatta which kicked off yesterday, on 4th September in Malinska on the island of Krk is just the event to witness a late summer spectacle.
As Morski writes, registering sailing with lateen and lug sails as cultural property is the result of the dedication of many individuals, associations, and cultural institutions that have been preserving and promoting Croatia’s maritime heritage. For many years they have persistently organized and conducted activities to pass it on to new generations, often through regattas of traditional vessels, which the island of Krk does not lack.
After the largest and oldest such regatta, Krčka Jedra took place mid-August, another, somewhat younger, but no less valuable or meaningful traditional regatta Homo na Jidra is kicking off.
The full program will last until Saturday. Fans of traditional vessels and maritime heritage will find a handful of interesting events, a good part of which will also take place on dry land.
The fifth edition of Homo na Jidra started with the photo exhibition “Croatian Homeland of the Sea” by the CROnaves association in the Malinska Maritime Heritage Interpretation Center. It testifies to the importance of wooden ships in the history of Dalmatian towns, as well as their role in shaping Croatian maritime culture. The exhibition, its hosts point out, has already connected many places along the Adriatic coast, telling stories about gajeta, leut, kaić and other traditional boats. The exhibition remains open for the whole duration of the regatta. It is the result of the efforts of members of the CROnaves association – Boško Lučeva, Andrina Luić, Dubravka Pajk, and Vislav Torre.
The doors of the Kraljić family’s shipyard will be opened to visitors of Malinska and its regatta for the finale on Friday. Everyone who wants to learn more about the connection of the forests of Dubašnica with traditional shipbuilding, as well as the centuries-old coexistence of the local people and the sea, can join the guided interpretive walk From Mul to Škver (from the docks to the shipyard).
The sailing program ends on Friday afternoon, as part of which Malinska’s boats, as well as keepers of traditional vessels from the surrounding towns, will “parade” their boats on the route. A Dance Under the Stars starts at 8:30 p.m. – a gathering of traditional boats in sailing, accompanied by music and light effects.
The final day on Saturday brings a boat show to honor the beauty and harmony of the wooden beauties moored at the port. They will participate in the Nikola Jurić Memorial Regatta at noon.
This traditional Croatian regatta, a gathering of lovers of traditional vessels and sailing, guardians and promoters of everything that presents the centuries-old connection between the islanders and the sea that surrounds them, will be held in Malinska for the fifth time. This week-long event has been organized jointly by the Tourist Board and the Municipality of Malinska – Dubašnica, Maritime Heritage Interpretation Center – DUBoak, Malinska Sailing Club and Termen association.
