DAYS IN THE BAY have been enriched with new content. The Old Town of Hvar and the historic bay will soon be filled with traditional boats. Visitors to “Days in the Bay” will be able to enjoy not only concerts, exhibitions, and workshops but also more than 15 dishes collectively known as “Dalmatian Marenda.” This year, they can experience the primal spirit of the Mediterranean and the benefits of seaside life through their taste buds.
DAYS IN THE BAY will feature an enhanced gastronomic program and offerings this year, promoting the “Dalmatian Marenda” project initiated by the Tourist Board of Split-Dalmatia County, led by Director Ivana Vladović. Restaurateurs from the Old Town will prepare authentic “spiza” for guests and participants throughout the event, with traditional Dalmatian ingredients that will transport you back to forgotten times. Particularly exciting is the return of the “queen of the sea,” sardine, to the menus. It will be accompanied by anchovies, squid, shrimp, shark, as well as pasticada, meatballs, tongue in sauce, dolce garbo, and the menu will also include risottos, pasta, and the indispensable gregada.
On Friday, September 20th, from 5 PM, a competition in preparing “Dalmatian Marenda” will be held on the Riva. Both amateurs and professional chefs will be able to showcase their skills. The aim is to bring local cuisine closer to guests seeking something truly authentic. Interested participants can apply via the Facebook page of Stari Grad – Hvar. The Dalmatian Marenda project is not solely gastronomic; it serves as a link between all social components, revolving around the philosophy of our local people. Through these dishes, guests are presented with the full experience of the destination, where sitting at the table at a certain time of day allows for enjoyment in traditional flavors characteristic of our region. Dalmatian Marenda dishes are designed to be simple, from preparation to serving, requiring only a “teća” or “pjat.” The fullness of taste and aroma keeps you at the table, along with music, conversation, and a bit of gossip. We strive to showcase these specifics to guests to highlight the beauty of living in Dalmatia.
These are the restaurants that have joined the “Dalmatian Marenda” project during “Days in the Bay” and whose offerings will be available throughout the festival of boats, the sea, and sailors, from September 19th to 22nd: Bistro “Kod Damira,” Restaurant “Kod barba Luke,” City Restaurant “Vala,” Restaurant “Albatros,” Restaurant “Eremitaž,” Restaurant “Jurin podrum,” Restaurant “Velo misto,” Restaurant “La Gitana,” and Pizzeria “Marko.” The program for this traditional festival of boats, the sea, and sailors, organized by the City of Stari Grad, the Association for the Promotion of Croatian Maritime Heritage “Cronaves,” and the Tourist Board of Stari Grad, has also been defined. While the final details of the program are being finalized, we will reiterate that the central concert of the festival will feature our musical diva, Doris Dragović. The partner country for this year’s “DAYS IN THE BAY” is the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which will showcase its maritime heritage with a special emphasis on 4 traditional boats. These are part of a fleet of around 60 traditional boats coming from associations dedicated to preserving Croatian maritime heritage, along with similar vessels from other countries. Traditional boats and the people who care for them will sail from all over the Adriatic to present Croatian maritime and cultural heritage, traditional crafts, culinary, fishing, shipbuilding, and nautical skills in Stari Grad. Participants will present these shipbuilding and nautical skills through promotional sailing, rowing, programs, exhibitions, and workshops, starting with a ceremonial parade of the festival procession and culminating in the famous night parade “Dance of Sails and Lights.” It’s almost impossible to list all the events and participants, but while the program is being finalized, we can announce the appearance of Neretva boats, Lovran guc, Komiža falkuša, boats from Prvić, Dutch traditional boats, boats from Krk, Murter, Zlarin, Pašman, Hvar, and traditional boats from Brač, Split, Kaštela, and Drvenik. We also highlight the arrival of the historic galley Karaka from Dubrovnik. The public will be informed in detail about all participants and content once the complete event program is finished and published.
This year’s edition of DAYS IN THE BAY on the legendary Trg Tvrdalj will offer several concerts that will delight all guests who reserve the weekend from September 19th to 22nd for a stay in Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. As mentioned, the central concert is planned for Saturday evening with the performance of music diva Doris Dragović. It is important to emphasize that cultural and entertainment programs will be rich throughout the event and suitable for this type of event. As for educational content, it will be particularly focused on children, with a special emphasis on fishing and other maritime skills and sports.
The organizers greatly appreciate the exceptional contribution and participation from all associations and boaters from Istria to the south of Croatia. Their skills and experience, which they pass on to the younger generation, are the most valuable part of this event. Guests of Stari Grad who secure accommodation in advance will be intertwined with sailors and their boats through maritime cuisine, music celebrating the sea, and enjoyment of seaside life.
