Rovinj’s night - A Magnificent Attraction – The Batana Boat's First Encounter with the Sea
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After shipbuilder Mladen Takač had worked on the construction of his fourth batana board by board for two full months at the Riviera Square in front of the museum called Kuća o batani (The House of the Batana Boat), it was festively launch
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After shipbuilder Mladen Takač had worked on the construction of his fourth batana board by board for two full months at the Riviera Square in front of the museum called Kuća o batani (The House of the Batana Boat), it was festively launched into the sea in the framework of the Rovinj Night Festivities.
Twenty robust men from Rovinj carried the batana boat for 50 meters from the town waterfront in order to launch her into the sea. The launch was accompanied by a huge applause, song and the bang of a Champagne cork.
The batana boat named Arupina, in honor of the 100-year anniversary of the Arupinum Rowing Club from Rovinj, was sent off with song thanks to the members of KUD Marco Garbin and welcomed by the rowers in the sea.
The entire happening, especially attractive for the tourists, was broadcast live as part of the show called 30 u hladu (30 Degrees in the Shade) by the HTV crew. Numerous passers-by and curious people also recorded the launch with their video and photo cameras.
The five-and-a-half-meter-long batana boat, a symbol of the city of St. Euphemia, will be presented as gift to the town of Gospić in honor of a longtime friendship and cooperation between the people of Istria and Lika.
The launch ceremony was accompanied by fishermen’s dishes, homemade sweet delicacies, as well as good wine.
The night before the spectacular fireworks show, which has been organized for more than two decades to mark the end of the tourist season and which represents a kind of festive occasion to thank the visitors who chose to spend their summer vacation in the city of St. Euphemia, radiated the spirit of the fishing tradition.
The evening was marked by the promotion of the monograph called The Batana Boat and its Sail (Batana i njezino jedro), and later by the launch of the batana boat named Arupina into the sea.
The entire day was dedicated to this original Rovinj boat. The launch of the batana boat gathered around more local people who have contributed in one way or another (as builders and constructors, singers and musicians, net and demijohn makers) to the preservation and restoration of the value of this Rovinj boat, which is special in many different ways, than any other event.
Wishing to continue the festivities even after the launching of the boat, the employees of the Tourist Association organized two stages featuring excellent musicians.
After the performances by two folk ensembles, Plesarina from Rovinj and KUD Stjepan Žiža from Rovinjsko Selo, the main stage featured a late-night performance by the excellent a cappella vocal ensemble from Šibenik called Bonaca and the rich voice of Đani Stipanić, who reminded the audience of some of the most famous Croatian evergreens, as well as the songs of the beautiful Dalmatia and the Mediterranean.
At the same time, the other stage featured performances by local performers, primarily Mirko Cetinski.
Thanks to him and other recognizable and well-known voices of Rovinj – the Batana Band, Sergio Preden Gato, Biba and Vlado Benussi, hard-core musicians – Klaudio Božić, Giannte Pokrajac, Eligio Bosazzi, and maestro Mario Bogliuni, the Riviera Square radiated a true family vibe.
The musical events were accompanied by Mediterranean specialties prepared by diligent hands of Maistra’s employees, as well as sweet delicacies and products made by the members of the Agrorovinj Association and Darna Liquor Factory.
