Cres island – A week dedicated to maritime tradition and heritage
This week, visitors of the island Cres will be introduced with the traditions of the locals. They will be able to see how they were spending their time on the island – from the games of ballots and mora cantada to songs. Still, the most interesting events will be related to maritime heritage – from a regatta of traditional boats to shipbuilding workshops.
Creski Kaic – Days of Cres maritime heritage and tradition
One of the most significant events is called Creski Kaic – Days of Cres maritime heritage and tradition. It is organized by the Sailing Club “Reful” in cooperation with Cres associations and institutions. The main goal of the project is to preserve and valorize the traditional way of life.
This year, Creski Kaic was originally scheduled to take place in June, but was postponed to the second part of August due to the corona crisis.
On the first day of the event, two exhibitions were opened in Mate Solis Gallery. First one was In memoriam to the recently deceased Cres artist, and the other one of the Italian Cres Community, the exhibition “About life at sea – my captain” where you can see various objects preserved by retired Cres captains.
The event was officially opened by Deputy Prefect Marina Medarić where she emphasized the importance of maritime tradition for the people of Cres.
People here have always lived off the sea, by the sea and for the sea. It is our tradition that we are very proud of and it relates to maritime, shipbuilding and fishing. Today, we are doing this festivity in honor of all those who have maintained this tradition.
President of “Reful” Marčelo Damijanjević explained that the seven-day event Creski Kaic is part of a broader, three-year project of the same name, funded by European Union thanks to a partnership with the Island Development Agency and the City of Cres.
This week, we will go back to the time when people lived from the sea and the fields. We will feel how those who lived on the island centuries before us had fun in their free time. On holidays, they would play ballots, gather in courtyards and taverns, play cards and mora cantada, and after a good meal and drink, they would sing.
Damijanjević also adds that during this week, everyone can join various activities, from children to adults, all on the topic of shipbuilding and maritime heritage.
Boćanje – a trademark event
After the opening of the event, one of the most attractive games began, a bowling tournament, locally known as boćanje, for which the bowling alley was arranged along the waterfront, in front of the stage where the klapa Burin performed that evening. For the musical part of the program members of the Orlek folklore and Wind Orchestra “Josip Kašman” from Mali Lošinj were in charge.
At the same time, the bravest and most curious could taste forgotten local dishes with unusual names krijica, mozjini and gista, i.e. lamb’s blood and lamb’s brain pate, while most were satisfied with Venetian livers with polenta.
On the 18th of August, a bowling tournament continued and a competition in briškula and trešeta (card games) began, as well as a shipbuilding and sailing workshop. The competitive part of the program continues every day for the rest of the week. In the afternoon hours, there will be various workshops, and in the evening, entertainment with klapa and popular bands.
On Thursday evening, music lovers will be able to choose between the performances of the folklore societies and Cres musicians on Frane Petrić Square, as well as the Crescendo music festival in the summer cinema.
Nerezinac – a traditional vessel will dock in the port of Cres
On Friday, traditional boats including Nerezinac will arrive in the port of Cres, where, as announced, a chess tournament will be held in the evening, while the Cres open championship in mora cantada will be held under the city lodge. In the evening, pulling of the rope will be held on the square. The novelty of this year’s Creski Kaic is the swimming marathon on the route Valun – Cres.
A particularly rich program has been announced for Saturday, from competitions in angling and spearfishing, regattas of traditional vessels, brudetijada, and finally the performance of Mauro Staraja & La banda with night sailing of traditional vessels.
Source: Otoci.eu
