March the 6th, 2024 – Jadrolinija’s newest vessel is called Oliver, named after the man who put Dalmatia’s soul into song – Oliver Dragojević. Poignantly, it will also sail into his hometown, Vela Luka.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, Jadrolinija’s very newly acquired ship, which will sail along the Split – Vela Luka – Ubli line, and during daily sailings will dock in the birthplace of the great Croatian musician Oliver Dragojević, will aptly be called “Oliver,” Jadrolinija stated.
The latest vessel, which joined the fleet of the well known domestic passenger shipping company at the end of last year, and was previously named “Vela Luka”. At the suggestion of the Croatian Music Union, it has been renamed “Oliver”, as few loved the Adriatic Sea, Dalmatia and its islands as the one and only Oliver Dragojević.
“This incredible Dalmatian musician touched the whole of Croatia with his music, especially those who live by the sea and from the sea. He was transported to his final resting place from Split to Vela Luka back in 2018, precisely aboard a Jadrolinija catamaran, and in this way he is being honoured in the way he so truly deserved,” Jadrolinija said.
They noted that the “Oliver” ferry will be included in the line by the season and that they believe that, in addition to its maritime capabilities, which will raise the quality of the service, it will fill passengers with pride and memories of the irreplaceable Oliver Dragojević every day.
It seems too little to call him merely “Croatian singer Oliver Dragojević”, as he was far more than a performer with a good voice. He was a cult figure and a household name. There are very many Croatian musicians from both past and present who enjoy or have enjoyed huge support and love from the public, but few have ever managed to reach the heights he did.
An enduring symbol of the Croatian music scene who effortlessly blended traditional Dalmatian klapa style music with more modern twists, and even jazz, he was adored even beyond Croatian borders. To truly understand what a fantastic move Jadrolinija is making by giving this vessel his name, click here.
