The past weekend began their long journey of responsible and sustainable development of Croatian islands
Over 80 people and representatives of 10 Croatian islands – Šolta, Brač, Hvar, Vis, Mljet, Lastovo, Korčula, Silba, Prvić and Krk – set sail this past weekend, 22 and 23 October, 2016, with the Polaris vessel from Šolta through Brač, Hvar and Vis. This unusual voyage titled Movement of Movement ended with a Sunday arrival on the mainland in Split, with a clear question: “Can you hear your islands?”, aimed at pointing out the current problems of Croatian islands, such as the abandonment of islands and their neglect beyond the tourism season. The question was accompanied with a second message: “Thank you, island!”, used by the many island inhabitants supporting the Island Movement to notify the mainland of messages about everything that makes them proud islanders who, despite difficulties, are not ceasing to advocate their sea-locked home. It is the strongest message of the informal initiative Island Movement: the islands are people and on every island there are isolated and socially active individuals who are networked and with the support of other islanders, and everyone else, especially decision makers, can and will constructively aid the development and revitalisation of all Croatian islands.
The Island Movement is recognised by the Association Alliance Klubtura through whose exchange and cooperation programme this networking of islanders was realised. The programme is financed by the Culture Ministry, Kultura Nova Foundation, National Foundation for the Development of the Civil Society and City of Zagreb. However, this inter-island connection would have been impossible to organise without the help of many islanders whose donations and support enabled the entire project to be realised, demonstrating how cooperation can realise ideas which the Island Movement supports.
This was the first journey, but certainly not the last meeting of individually who are only one part of islanders and island lovers gathering through he Island Movement. The next activity in the programme “Movement of Movement” will take place from 4-6 November in Hvar, a three-day event titled “Serum-antihibernation vaccine, dose 1.” This will be an opportunity for island organisations in the culture-art sector from different islands to present themselves, with the goal of motivating and inspiring visitors to further act in social, cultural and artistic areas in their island communities.
Island Movement was envisioned as a virtual platform which will bridge spacial distance and island isolation and through exchange of information, skills and knowledge aid the strengthening and development of islanders and islands. Anyone who wants to aid changes in the life on Croatian islands and work together on the realisation of a better island future based on responsible and sustainable development is invited. Solutions the Island Movement offers are people gathered around a joint vision, as only connected individuals are more available and clearer in communicating concrete needs and solutions.
The Island Movement will continue to work on this issue by realising financial support for the further development of a base of islanders and island resources, maintaining a website in Croatian and English languages for the continuing collection and sharing of information about islands and creating a line of educational services and consultations to support active islanders. The Island Movement wants to continue further work through socially responsible activity in the form of a social company as an example to island communities and also in the financially sustainable development of social activity.
To learn more about the Island Movement, follow them on Facebook.
