FISHERMEN FIESTAS

Rovinj is unique for its folk traditions repeatedly offered to visitors. Romantic atmosphere of old town and picturesque port awakes images of ancient time. Fishermen fiestas occur in this ambient during summer season and present an exquisite event out of time. At these fiestas citizens and visitors become actors of artistic happening. Entire port turns into a stage.

With the sound of Rovinj's “bitinada” and mandolins you can enjoy fish specialties prepared by fishermen from fresh catch and presented on their ships. These fiestas are a spice on rich offer of Rovinj – the pearl of Adriatic – la perla dell' adriatico.

This year the fishermen fiestas will be held twice each month, i.e. every second Saturday evening, from 8:30 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. The most popular artists from Rovinj engaged in preserving and valorization of town's tradition, including folk group “Batana”, quartet “Le quarto colonne”, trio “Biba, Vlado and Ricky” and singers Sergio Preden-Gato and Mirko Cetinski, will participate in fiestas.

It is widely known that people of Rovinj have a great affection for music. It is said that two men from Rovinj are enough for a choir. Considering that, it is not surprising that Rovinj created a unique manner of singing.

“Bitinada” is a vocal support (a capella) for soloist that sings the lead theme. It gives him harmony and rhythm. About ten members of group called ”bitinadora” sing songs in that fashion. The way these songs are sang enabled fishermen to work and sing at the same time. Their arms were free for their nets and other fishing tools because there were no instruments used.

Some of them would hold accord and rhythm (“tan-tani”) imitating guitars with their voices while others (“tin-tini) improvised countermelodies and decorative elements imitating the sound of mandolins and violins. Basses use “von” sound imitating contrabass, underlining harmony and rhythm. As a writer from Rovinj, Giusto Curto once wrote, “…it sounds enchanting, as if you are listening to a magic orchestra without conductor” (“urchiestra magica sensa maiestro”).

Riccardo Bosazzi