The Rovinj Regatta of traditional boats with lug and lateen sails represents far more than just another event; it is a proud and nostalgic look back at the past and a celebration marking two full decades of this flagship event organized by the "Batana" Ecomuseum. From the initial idea sparked by a visit to the grand *Regata Storica di Venezia* in 2005 to the present day, the Rovinj Regatta has become synonymous with one of Croatia’s most stunning sights—a day where the city’s beautiful skyline merges with the colorful sails of traditional boats. Even more importantly, year after year, the regatta has offered enthusiasts of the sea, sailing, and tradition the chance to hone their skills, enjoy the beauty of the waters off Rovinj, inspire future generations, and forge bonds of friendship through unforgettable gatherings.

The people of Rovinj celebrated this major, significant 20th anniversary with heart and hospitality evident in every detail. Over the course of three days, a succession of more than 20 maritime experiences showcased traditional maritime heritage in diverse ways, bringing it closer to people of all generations. In an exciting competition featuring boats from Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia, the overall winner was the Kvarner *guc* MD 551 from Mošćenička Draga; its crew, led by Robert Mohović, has remained loyal to the Rovinj Regatta since its very inception. In addition to the hosts, the opening ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prefect of Istria County, Jessica Acquavita; the Mayor of Rovinj-Rovigno, Emil Nimčević, accompanied by Deputy Mayors Gianfranca Šuran and Dino Sošić; and representatives of the Italian Community ("Comunità degli Italiani") "Pino Budicin" of Rovinj-Rovigno, Matteo Tromba and Esmeralda Kresina. The grand Rovinj celebration was further graced by the presence and gifts of esteemed guests—Shane Smyth and Thorsten Wohleser, President and Vice-President of Douzelage (the European Union Town Twinning Association)—as well as organizers and participants of the *L’AMMIRAGLIA* regatta (Venice – Rovinj – Mali Lošinj).

A diverse array of events in the accompanying program connected visitors with the value and beauty of maritime heritage. Many awestruck faces and happy smiles were captured at the "Rovinj Postcard" photo point—featuring precise illustrations of all the boat types that have competed in Rovinj regattas over the decades, colored in by local elementary school students. A voyage through a sea of ​​memories found its finest expression in the exhibition "Memories of 20 Rovinj Regattas," which chronologically brought to life the event's evolution—a journey that inspired and encouraged many others to launch regattas in other parts of Istria and Kvarner. Archival photographs once again told stories of anecdotes, weather conditions, joyful gatherings, and winning crews, as well as of those sailors who will never again sail the waters of Rovinj. Moderated by Marino Budicin, Ennio Cherin, and Alvise Benussi, a lecture on the history and significance of the Rovinj Regatta united hosts and guests in a discussion on the methods and necessity of collaboration to reverse the trend of declining numbers of traditional boats at regattas. In this context, the presentation of the new EU project *TRANS MARIS* (Interreg Italy-Croatia)—a joint initiative by the "Batana House" (*Kuća o batani* / *Casa della batana*) institution and the Municipality of Cesenatico—by project manager Tamara Nikolić Đerić offered a promising outlook. A mentorship program combining practical and theoretical work was presented for young people aged 15 to 35; through skills transfer, the use of modern technologies, an introduction to cultural policies, and study trips, they will acquire the competencies needed for their first professional steps in the field of heritage preservation.

Since the main goal of the Rovinj Regatta has always been to promote traditional sailing and ensure the transfer of knowledge to younger generations, the event’s accompanying program fostered a new group of enthusiasts who love the sea and tradition—alongside the seasoned "old salts" who once again demonstrated their passion and skills. As boats large and small—including the batana "Regina," sailed by Rovinj Mayor Emil Nimčević alongside Ennio Cherin—glided along the Rovinj horizon, children enjoyed the "I peîci marinièri" (Little Sailors) program. They set to work crafting small boats out of corks to sail on the water of a pool, where they were also fascinated by a small model of a Venetian "topo". Guided by association member Eufemija Benussi, little fingers bent wire to create miniature fish traps; with the help of Serena Santin, Ornella Godena, and Roberta Silvi Malusà, they learned about the colorful Rovinj sails through a memory game, arranged islands on a map of the Rovinj waters created by Diego Giuricin, and listened to the story of Katarina the turtle and her encounter with Rovinj fishermen, conceived by Milan Medak and Sanja Lađarević. Some young visitors found refreshment inside the museum by playing the educational game "Discovering the Batana." Earning a reward also required some learning: various prizes had to be precisely "fished" out of the pool, after which it was much easier—with the help of members from the Meduza fishing club—to land a real catch during the fishing workshop on the Big Pier.

The atmosphere on the Great Pier maintained a festive mood and a sense of joyful camaraderie from moment to moment. This was especially true during the popular "Virada in pignata" program, where regatta participants shared traditional dishes prepared from authentic recipes with the crowd. Friends from Venice prepared *bigoli in salsa*, *pedoci in tocio*, and *sarde in saor*, bringing the distinctive flavors of the Venetian Lagoon to the table. Guests from Genoa presented traditional *trofie con il pesto genovese*, while members of the "Molaj Cimu" association cooked homemade tripe, evoking the simple, primal cuisine of seafarers. Friends from the "Mandrač Tivoli" association prepared a fragrant *maneštra* (vegetable stew), and "Batana" members Sergio Ferrara and Fabio Cherin cooked a fisherman's *brodet* (fish stew). Marino Budicin, Vice-President of the "Kuća o batani" (Batana House) Association, and Janez Sabec—owner of the 120-year-old boat *Stari Maček* and a regular participant from Slovenia since the inception of the Rovinj Regatta—demonstrated the traditional method of salting anchovies to visitors. They used salt from the Piran Salt Pans, gifted by regatta participants from that region, thereby passing on knowledge preserved across generations in coastal communities.

The “Udùri da cà∫a” program highlighted the irresistible flavors and aromas of Istria, as well as the way they are presented. Students from the Eugen Kumičić Secondary School in Rovinj-Rovigno, led by their mentor Tanja Ranić Rovis, showcased handcrafted and hand-painted plates, menus, and placemats; these elements enhanced the visual appeal and quality of the gastronomic presentation at *Spacio Matika*—the last remaining traditional wine cellar in Rovinj where the Ecomuseum hosts music and gastronomy evenings that blend traditional heritage, youth creativity, and a contemporary interpretation of local culture. Numerous local producers and guardians of Istria’s culinary heritage also joined the program. The Darna factory presented its signature liqueurs, while Agrorovinj offered visitors traditional Istrian *supa*. Manuela Petek showcased a wealth of wild and medicinal herbs alongside products made from carefully selected natural ingredients, and the Dellbiecco Distillery delighted visitors with its spirits and other authentic products. Momento Mori – Wine is Art and Sapori di Gio also presented their unique blend of oenology and art, demonstrating how a modern approach can successfully build upon tradition. Friends of the Batana—Luka Škabić, Leana Buršić Križić, and Martina Aničić—created a special experience by demonstrating the live preparation of *fioki* (a signature traditional pastry from the Rovinj area) and serving the "Carletto" drink to visitors, thereby rounding out the gastronomic journey with the authentic flavors and customs of Rovinj. A birthday celebration in Istria would be unthinkable without music; performances by the groups Le Cronache and Viècia Ruveîgno, as well as the Rovinj Town Brass Band, wove familiar melodies into the festivities, while also featuring the premiere of a song dedicated to the Rovinj Regatta in honor of this major anniversary.

An expert perspective on maritime heritage was offered by the impressive traveling exhibition from the Croatian History Museum, "Adriatic and Ionian Vessels in the Early Modern Period (1650–1850)," which adorned the ground floor of the "A. Gandusio" Theatre with 62 drawings and descriptions of traditional vessels—the result of extensive international research. The project was presented by the exhibition's author, Zrinka Podhraški Čizmek—accompanied by the Director of the Croatian History Museum, Matea Brstilo Rešetar—through both a brief presentation and lively conversations with regatta participants and visitors.

A moving exhibition of jewelry by Ukrainian artist Tetiana Katsara—inspired by the colors of the sails of the Rovinj batana —demonstrated how maritime heritage can be transformed into art objects that highlight its beauty in a unique and feminine way. Discovering Rovinj’s traditions at the "Batana" Ecomuseum during a visit last year became a source of inspiration for the artist; using a traditional Ukrainian jewelry-making technique, she expressed her respect for Rovinj’s vibrant maritime heritage and its preservation, while also finding a comforting escape from the harsh realities of wartime life.

The organization of the milestone 20th edition of the Rovinj Regatta was defined by the dedication, experience, and collaborative effort of numerous individuals whose commitment ensured the event's success. The long-standing vision and continuous development of the Regatta—spearheaded by Institution Director Nives Giuricin and Association President Ennio Cherin—combined with the professional approach and wealth of experience brought by Alvise and Grazia Benussi, served as a vital foundation for a program that once again affirmed the Rovinj Regatta’s reputation as one of the Adriatic’s most significant maritime heritage events. Young participants Gabriel and Elia Cherin, Kristijan Aćikov, and Vito Marjanović added special value to this year’s edition; through their energy, sense of responsibility, and attention to detail, they demonstrated the importance of involving new generations in the preservation and evolution of tradition. Their contribution fostered an atmosphere of community and hospitality, shared equally by seasoned figures such as event host Vukica Palčić, who guided every segment of the program with evident love for her city.

The Regatta’s visual identity and media presence were further enriched by the work of Silvija Jacić, Alessio Sponza, and Tanja Huljev; their photographs, visuals, and texts faithfully captured the beauty of the sails, the emotions of the participants, and the unique atmosphere of the Rovinj waterfront. Their creative contributions ensured that the story of the 20th Rovinj Regatta reached those unable to attend the grand celebration and remains permanently recorded as a memory of this significant anniversary. Print Studio, led by Mišel and Stefy Tonkić, also made a special contribution to the event's overall visual impact; their creative solutions, superb execution, and carefully designed promotional materials and signage further enhanced the festive atmosphere of this year's celebration.

For the event's milestone 20th edition, the rich culinary spread prepared for the participating sailors was the result of the dedicated work and enduring enthusiasm of numerous members and volunteers. Luciano Ugrin, Mladen Sošić, Ennio Sošić, Edi Poropat, Roberto Zaharija, Antonio Popović, Jasna Bešker, and Maja Farago Toplak were responsible for organizing this unique gastronomic experience; through their experience, expertise, and hospitality, they once again demonstrated that tradition, a sense of community, and a love for the sea and local cuisine are best shared around a common table.

A major highlight of the Rovinj anniversary celebration was undoubtedly the *lugger* "Nerezinac" from Mali Lošinj—a welcome guest at many regattas—whose presence proves that the restoration and revitalization of maritime heritage can successfully find a place in modern times. On three separate occasions, with Captain Karlo Asl at the helm and under the expert guidance of historian and "Batana" Ecomuseum founder Marino Budicin, the "Nerezinac" took visitors on an educational and picturesque tour of Rovinj’s twenty islands. On the final evening, the "Nerezinac" transformed into a magical concert stage; surrounding boats performed a celebratory dance in honor of Rovinj and its grand anniversary. The following day, the vessel led the regatta participants on a final group sail before the farewell, concluding yet another gathering that warmed the hearts of both guests and hosts alike.

Ennio Cherin, President of the "House of Batana" (*Kuća o batani* / *Casa della batana*) Association and an expert sailor of traditional boats, summarized his impressions of the 20th Rovinj Regatta as follows: "I would like to thank all the regatta participants and everyone whose contributions enabled the Rovinj Regatta to endure and reach its grand twentieth anniversary. The greatest joy comes from reuniting with old friends and having the opportunity to share the diverse experiences that shape our way of life at sea. Connecting coasts, cities, and nations, while preserving tradition, is the primary goal of these events."

Following the celebration of the first twenty Rovinj Regattas, a new era begins in the preservation of Rovinj’s heritage—a sentiment highlighted in her closing remarks by Nives Girucin, Director of the "House of Batana" Institution: "It is our duty to continue passing on the values ​​of our maritime heritage to new generations, creating opportunities for learning and collaboration, and safeguarding the identity of a city that has always lived with and from the sea. That is why we look back with pride on the past twenty years, but also with even greater optimism toward all the new sails that will traverse the waters of Rovinj in the years to come. The Rovinj Regatta is more than just an event; it is a story about people, the sea, and a community that lives its heritage, preserves it, and proudly passes it on to future generations."

The organizers of the 20th Rovinj Traditional Boat Regatta are the Association and Institution "Kuća o batana - Casa della batana" and the Sailing Club "Maestral" Rovinj-Rovigno in cooperation with the Tourist Board of the City of Rovinj-Rovigno/Ente per il turismo della Città di Rovinj-Rovigno and the Sports Board of the City of Rovinj-Rovigno/Unione sportiva della Città di Rovinj-Rovigno and under the auspices of the City of Rovinj-Rovigno/Città di Rovinj-Rovigno. Sponsors are Valalta d.o.o. Rovinj-Rovigno and Cromaris Zadar.