Fiumare Festival in Rijeka is in full swing!
Fiumare, the Kvarner Festival of the Sea and Maritime Affairs in Rijeka is currently taking place all over town, filling the port and the streets in the centre with dozens of vessels of all kinds. The annual manifestation was launched five years ago to help preserve the local maritime heritage and present the visitors with a rare chance to see the traditional boats up close.
The festival kicked off with a ceremonial opening on 31 May and will go on for eight days, jam-packed with events, lectures, exhibitions and workshops on multiple locations in the centre that are somehow related to the naval history of the wonderful harbour town. Featured sites include the port, the breakwater, bus and train stations, the Old town and the fish market, all of them known as focal points in Rijeka's long tradition of commerce and seafaring.
(Boats at berth at the so-called Dead Canal)
Korzo, Rijeka's main promenade in the centre, is currently lined with charming traditional boats, their sails gently swinging in the summer breeze. Some of the boats on display are known to take part in traditional regattas that don't have a competitive character, but serve as an attractive reminder of Croatia's rich historical and cultural heritage.
(Korzo)
Rijeka's waters are seeing even more activity than usual with a somewhat confusing but an equally delightful mix of mega yachts, wooden boats for tourist trips, traditional fishing boats and elegant sailboats at berth by the pier.
Every time you try to snap a photo, a couple of tiny 19th century boats quickly slide into the frame, leaving you with dozens of images dotted with specks of white.
