Lošinj sails around the world festival

Lošinj has returned to the time of the golden age of seafaring through the Lošinj Sails Around the World Festival, which is dedicated to the rich maritime and shipbuilding tradition of the island of Lošinj.

The idea to create this kind of festival originated from the desire for preservation, revitalization and tourist valorization of the maritime heritage, through the revival and presentation of the historical and cultural heritage of Lošinj maritime affairs, which lived its golden age from 1853 to 1884. Sailing reached its peak between 1855 and 1870, when 1,400 captains and sailors sailed on Lošinj's sailing ships.

This segment of Lošinj history was chosen for tourism promotion because of its specificity and intent to bring to the Lošinj guests, as well as to the local population, a rich and overly interesting life of brave, devoted and capable Lošinj sailors, shipbuilders and shipowners who made this island, which is actually unsuitable for the development of the shipping industry, the centre of the maritime affairs of the eastern Mediterranean of the 19th century.

During this Festival, everyone interested will get an insight into the rich maritime heritage of Lošinj, history will be revived while sticking to the historical facts, and Lošinj will be promoted through tourism and marketing activities as the destination of the "revived maritime history" hitherto unknown to the wider public. Events are spread across the island, mostly in Mali Lošinj, Veli Lošinj and Nerezine. This year's edition is particularly marked by two big stories - the return of the renovated Olympic sailing boat Primorka and the 50th anniversary Nerezina Regatta of traditional sailing boats on 19th o September.

The official opening of the festival will take place on September 5th at the Riva of Lošinj Captains in Mali Lošinj, followed by a rich maritime and regatta program. The 6th Veloselska Regatta of Imagination will be held in Veli Lošinj on the same day, with a presentation of seafaring skills, a gastronomic offer and a concert by the TBF group. The maritime program continues with the 14th Lošinj Regatta of Oarsmen, while on September 11th the port of Mali Lošinj will be illuminated by the 9th Night Regatta of Traditional Sailing Boats. The weekend will be marked by the 44th Lošinj Regatta – Regatta of Lošinj Olympians, with a navigation regatta on the 12th and regatta on September 13th.

This year, the Primorka, a wooden Star-class sailing ship built in the Lošinj shipyard for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, in which five Lošinj residents competed, is attracting special attention. 74 years after its Olympic appearance, the Primorka has been restored and returned to its hometown, where it is temporarily on display at the Bellevue Hotel, before its future permanent display at the Maritime Collection.

During the festival, various daily workshops and lectures on maritime topics for children and adults will be organised on the main square of Mali Lošinj. Local artisans will be offering their products, and you will have the chance to learn maritime and fishing skills, as well as take photos and take home the most beautiful memories from the maritime history of the island of vitality. 

Experience at least a part of the Lošinj atmosphere through our webcams.