From September 11 to 16, Rovinj's heart beat faster, happier and stronger because its tradition and heritage were brought to life in the most beautiful way before the eyes of numerous visitors to the event Days of the City of Rovinj-Rovigno dedicated to the celebration of the City Day and the feast of the patron saint of St. Euphemia.
The Batana "Fiamita" replaced the sea with the Small Pier where, with her raised mainsail, she welcomed everyone who came to taste Rovinj and Istrian delicacies, and then socialize in an authentic, old-fashioned corner sitting on hay bales next to a wooden train, enjoying a rich musical and gastronomic program.
The members of our association prepared unforgettable and impressive fish evenings in which one could feel the simple, relaxed and cordial past of Rovinj. The menu featured fresh seafood (sardines, anchovies, tuna, and shark), as well as sweet bites - Rovinjski fijoki, fritule, and Carletto, a favorite Rovinj combination of liqueur and coffee.
The small pier was also the stage for two traditional competitions. The flag with the image of St. Euphemia at the end of the oiled pole was reached in record time this year by Ivan Jančić, so the tournament was short and extremely exciting, and numerous competitors will wait for their chance next year. Fortunately, the batana race could not be accelerated so much, so Mauro Venier, Gabriel Cherin and Eufemia Benussi-Krelja rowed to victory at the traditional 4th Batana Rowing Regatta in memoriam Corrado Pellizzer.
On the large pier, many visitors also enjoyed echoes of the past, namely traditional games that united both guests and locals in cheering and supporting the brave participants of numerous tournaments.
"Briškula and trešete" and "mora" and "mora cantada" with a glass of wine and conversation were the main entertainment of the people of Rovinj at a time when spacio (wine cantina) could be found at every step, and on this occasion, both locals and dear guests played and demonstrated them in front of the Ecomuseum. Tugging the rope and carrying fishing nets were outdoor activities that tested strength, perseverance, but also brought a lot of fun and excitement. All of this came to life on the Riviera Square, with parents and children competing, young, old and old, ensuring a lot of excitement and fun in the magical atmosphere of a joint celebration of the most important days of the year in Rovinj.
It was especially fun at the Youth Center-Centro Giovani "dr.ing Dino Škrapić, MBA" where numerous groups of kindergarten and school children got to know the games that marked the childhood of their peers from times gone by. Also, like other visitors, they viewed the exhibition "I ∫òghi da oûna vuòlta – Stare igre – I giochi di una volta" of the Ecomuseum-Ecomuseo "Batana" with a multitude of nostalgic photographs. The children were able to express their creativity through a series of workshops that were held at the same location, including our workshop "My First Batana".
Five days of socializing, welcoming, togetherness and celebration were rounded off by two special moments: the performance of the city's Brass Band-Banda d'ottoni on the ship "Orsera" which symbolically sailed around the Rovinj peninsula at dusk, and the night sky, after many years, was once again lit up with fireworks in honor of Rovinj-Rovigno and its patron saint who watches over it and preserves its identity.