The island of Lošinj, a pearl of the Adriatic known for its healing climate and lush nature, in the coming weeks once again becomes the epicenter of maritime heritage, reviving the glorious days when its sailing ships sovereignly ruled the world's seas. From September 6 to 20, 2025, the island of vitality will host the long-awaited "LOSINAVA" festival, an event that uniquely combines past and present, celebrating Lošinj's unbreakable bond with the sea, shipbuilding, and seafaring. Through a rich and diverse program, this festival transforms the entire Mali Lošinj into a dynamic stage where the spirit of sport, culture, music, and education intertwine, offering visitors a deep and authentic insight into the island's identity.

The ceremonial introduction to this year's edition of the festival was held on Thursday, September 4, at a press conference organized at a symbolic location – the Botel Marina in Rijeka. The detailed program and vision of the festival were presented to media representatives by the key people of the organization: the director of the Mali Lošinj Tourist Board, Dalibor Cvitković, the president of the Lošinj Mariners' Club, Lucio Jurjako, the head of the Jugo Sailing Club, Vedran Kabalin, and the representative of the Škarpina Sports Association, Ferdinando Zorović.

A blend of tradition and modernity as the key to success

"Losinava is more than a festival; it is a tribute to the sea and the people who have woven their lives into it. For two weeks filled with events, our island becomes a grand stage where we celebrate a centuries-old maritime tradition. Our goal is to tell the story of Lošinj's captains, shipbuilders, and sailors through regattas, sports competitions, concerts, educational lectures, exhibitions, and interactive workshops. We want to give all generations, from the youngest to the oldest, the opportunity to discover the skills, customs, and stories that have shaped the identity of this unique island in a creative and fun way," emphasized Dalibor Cvitković, director of the Mali Lošinj Tourist Board, highlighting the educational and cultural dimension of the event, which enriches the tourist offer and extends the season.

Ferdinando Zorović from the Škarpina Sports Association followed up on the importance of preserving heritage, pointing out that Losinava is the central event that most faithfully depicts Lošinj's maritime history and the art of navigation. "Sailing has never been just about calm seas; it also meant facing storms from which one had to know and be able to bring the ship and crew to a safe harbor. It is precisely this skill, courage, and resourcefulness that characterized Lošinj's sailors. I hope that our young generations will draw the most important message from these events – which is, in my opinion, the importance of perseverance, knowledge, and dedication to life on the island, which has always been inseparable from the sea," said Zorović.

The grand opening marked by oars, barrels, and klapa songs

The ceremonial opening of the festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, and will begin with a spectacular promenade in the Mali Lošinj harbor. The colorful array of participants in this year's regatta of pasaras (small boats) on oars, accompanied by the energetic Lošinj majorettes and the sounds of the Josip Kašman Wind Orchestra, will create an overture for the first major competition – the 13th Lošinj Regatta of Pasaras on Oars. This traditional rowing race, which revives the spirit of regattas from the late 19th century, is divided into two categories: wooden pasaras up to 4.3 meters and those larger than 4.3 meters. It is a sight that takes you back to the past, celebrating the strength of human hands and the beauty of traditional shipbuilding. After Mali Lošinj, the celebration moves to Veli Lošinj, where the 5th Veloselska Maštela Regatta will be held – a unique and fun race in barrels that always attracts a large number of spectators. The highlight of the first day will be the evening program filled with a rich gastronomic offer of local specialties and a major concert featuring the legendary Tomislav Bralić and Klapa Intrade, whose songs about the sea, Dalmatia, and love perfectly round off the maritime story.

"With great anticipation, we are preparing the 13th Pasara Regatta, which will take place on Saturday, September 6, at 10 a.m., and with which we officially open the LOSINAVA festival. Our Mariners' Club, in cooperation with the Jugo Sailing Club and the Škarpina Sports Association, is the proud carrier of a significant part of the program. In addition to the regatta, we have prepared a series of interesting lectures on maritime history and presentations of tying sailors' knots for visitors, thus offering one of the richest and most educational segments of the festival," said Lucio Jurjako, president of the Lošinj Mariners' Club.

The spirit of Venice in the heart of Lošinj

This year's edition of Losinava also brings a special treat – a touch of Venice in the Mali Lošinj harbor. Thanks to a special guest appearance from Venice, visitors will have a unique opportunity to experience the charms of sailing in an authentic Venetian gondola. Free rides on this elegant vessel will provide an unforgettable view of the harbor and the city from the sea. The cultural bridge between the two maritime powers, Lošinj and Venice, will be further strengthened by the performance of the renowned Italian choir "Coro Serenissima," whose performance of traditional Italian songs will echo through the harbor. The program will also be enriched by a presentation of traditional Venetian products, thus creating a unique synergy of two rich maritime cultures of the Adriatic.

The highlight of the festival: the 43rd Lošinj Cruisers Regatta

Sailing enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the second weekend of the festival, when the most prestigious competition is scheduled – the 43rd Lošinj Cruisers Regatta, also known as the Regatta of Lošinj Olympians, which will be held on September 13 and 14. Vedran Kabalin, president of JK Jugo, announced an exceptionally rich program on sea and land.

"This year too, we have prepared a weekend filled with adrenaline and fun. On Friday, September 12, as a prelude to the main regatta, we are organizing the 8th Night Regatta of Traditional Boats. It is a truly magical sight, a promenade of illuminated traditional vessels in the Lošinj port. A special atmosphere will be created by the performance of the female choirs Coro Serenissima and Vittorio Craglietto, who will sing from the deck of the loger Nerezinac, our floating museum anchored in the very heart of the harbor," revealed Kabalin.

The main event begins on Saturday with a navigation race. The route, approximately 27 nautical miles long, will take sailors from the start in front of the Lošinj shipyard, around a buoy placed in front of the island of Susak, then to a second buoy near Žalić bay, and back to the finish line in Mali Lošinj harbor. Saturday afternoon and evening are reserved for a rich gastro-cultural program on land. Visitors will be able to enjoy concerts, a ride in a Venetian gondola, and view and purchase authentic products from local artisans and craftsmen. A joint dinner will also be organized for all regatta participants. Sunday brings the grand finale with two tense stick races in the Mali Lošinj bay. These short and dynamic duels on the sea provide spectacular scenes for spectators from the shore. After the competition, there will be a ceremonial awarding of prizes to the best crews.

"As an organizer, it remains for me to thank all the sponsors, friends of the club, and volunteers whose selfless commitment for the 43rd consecutive year makes it possible to hold this unmissable event, which in the best way promotes our beautiful Lošinj and its sailing tradition," concluded Kabalin. The program of the entire festival is co-financed by the Kvarner Tourist Board, and its importance has been recognized by its application to the European Union's program for fisheries and aquaculture, which confirms its quality and significance for the preservation of European maritime heritage.