In the fairytale Prokurative, the second Bethlehem candle of peace was lit on the gastro-advent wreath today by the portal’s journalists from Split. The event, which was conceived 16 years ago by nutritionist and dietician Olja Martinić, is taking place this year under the motto ‘Let the ocean breathe’. Prokurative was chosen as the venue for this ceremony so that the light that the journalists will bring to the city would fall on the sea.
– We borrowed the slogan ‘Let the ocean breathe’ motivated by the 3rd UN Conference in Nice and the European Ocean Pact, which aim to restore the health of the sea and oceans, and we put posidonia, algae and seafood at the center of our gathering. The sea feeds us and top gastronomy is unthinkable without the food that the sea provides. It is not just food, it is medicine.
The beautiful red color of shrimp, prawns, salmon, crab, cockles and other pink plants and sea creatures comes from astaxanthin. It is the most powerful antioxidant. It is a pigment from the carotenoid group. Astaxanthin protects our cells from oxidative stress. It is better understood if we say that it protects against cancer. In the summer, wise mothers prepared prawns and dipped bread in it, which would turn pink, and gave it to their children. This protected the digestive system from parasites. The sea supports our health – heart, vision, skin and the entire organism. Hermit crabs, barnacles and fish that feed on algae also participate in this – emphasizes the author of the project Olja Martinić.
She pointed out that today’s menu also offers white fish burgers.
‘We combine pleasure with benefit. What comes from the sea doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s important to eat often and a little bit,’ emphasized Olja Martinić.
Alijana Vukšić, director of the Split Tourist Board, thanked everyone who cherishes tradition, not only through gastronomy, but also through their way of life.
“Let’s remain who we are. Whether there will be guests is not important today, what is important is that our citizens enjoy this sun and beauty today,” said Vukšić.
This year’s Golden Partner is the Croatian Association of Private Shipowners. The Croatian Association of Private Shipowners brings together shipowners originating from the Jesenički kril, the cradle of Croatian small-scale shipping tradition, where a life connected to the sea, navigation and the skill of managing wooden and steel ships has been nurtured for centuries. The oldest and most numerous national organization of shipowners brings together more than 250 members, thus representing the loudest and most important pillar of Croatian coastal shipping – a sector that today has around 450 ships on the Adriatic and carries the identity of maritime, fishing and cruising tourism.
Andrija Marasović from the Croatian Association of Private Shipowners said that they want to preserve the sea through participation in Gastroadvent.
‘We face numerous challenges, such as the installation of bio-purifiers and the arrangement of safe anchorages. This is what will accompany us in the coming years, as well as changes to the law. Our forte is not only to navigate the sea, but also to preserve the sea for future generations – from responsible and proper anchoring, through smart and sustainable navigation, to a system of safe ports that protect our ships, the coast and the ecosystem,’ Marasović pointed out.
This year’s Gastroadvent is dedicated to inspiring dishes with well-known and lesser-known ingredients from the sea. This is the direction of the collaboration with the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split, which is a perfect treasure trove of knowledge and new scientific insights when it comes to proper marine management.
Barbara Bolanča Zorica from the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries emphasized that posidonia is something we need to preserve.
‘A whole range of fish reside and spawn here. In addition to the fish that you all consume regularly, the diet should also include those species that are part of the discarded catch, which are nutritious. These include, for example, beech, abalone, salpa, log, bonito, which are not on our plates, but should be,’ pointed out scientist Bolanča Zorica.
Sardina’s products are made from carefully selected fish, prepared with the same passion as before – by hand, simply, without unnecessary additives. In every can and every pâté lies the best that the sea can give: authentic taste, tradition and responsibility towards the world that feeds us. Every bite of our products tells a special story, a story of the original taste of the Mediterranean.
Tihana Bodlović from Sardina thanked the author of the project and emphasized that Sardina joined it to contribute to it.
‘Sardina has existed for almost 120 years and has an unbreakable connection with the sea, full of love and respect. I can say this with certainty, because what guarantees that we can continue to work like this, with the tradition and heritage that the sea only gives us temporarily, is that we have preserved it for future generations. The sea must breathe and we must preserve it for all of us,’ emphasized Bodlović.
Alen Šimović from Avent at Prokurative thanked Gastroadvent for deciding to share the second candle with them.
‘We offer music for all tastes throughout the month, we have food at the best three, special gastronomic houses and three big concerts by Vuco, Kuliš and Dalmatin, and there is also our ice rink,’ said Šimović.
The top gastronomic team at Advent on Prokurative has prepared seafood pizza with anchovies, cod fritters, octopus salad with ice chips, white fish burger, Adriatic tuna in savoury sauce, and cod triangles for skaters.
Cod fritters and a white fish protein burger are also offered to all visitors at the Advent houses on Prokurative. In this way, the Advent team on Prokurative promotes fish consumption and supports Gastroadvent in Split. Along with the dishes next to the ice rink and the sound of the sea, Badel and Lacman wines are also presented.
The chef of Split’s Bajamonti, Tibor Balint, invited everyone to try their seafood delicacies, which are ‘selling like crazy’.
‘I am delighted to be participating in Gastroadvent this year as well. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Olja Martinić for her enthusiasm and her team for raising awareness about the importance of Dalmatian food and tradition, but also for continuing to open up some new topics. I am glad that posidonia, the lungs of the sea, is mentioned. I want you to find peace within yourself and share it with your loved ones,’ said Split Deputy Mayor Matea Dorčić.
Igor Stanišić, on behalf of the Split-Dalmatia County Prefect Blaženko Boban, invited journalists to light a second candle.
“This is the brand of our county and city. Today we light a candle of peace. Peace is something that is needed in the world and in these times, but also for those among us who are still not finished waging some wars in their heads,” Stanišić emphasized.
The Gastroadvent wreath was made by Katja Karmelić. She graduated from the School of Fine Arts and goldsmithing in Split. She works at the Center for People with Developmental Disabilities as a work instructor in the art workshop. Her great inspiration is the sea and islands.
Ovogodišnji Gastroadvent podržali su Turistička zajednica Splita, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija, Turistička zajednica Splitsko-dalmatinske županije, Javna ustanova More i krš, Hrvatska udruga privatnih brodara, Sardina d.o.o. Postira te Institut za oceanografiju i ribarstvo u Splitu.
Partners are Adriatic Queen, Carlsberg Croatia, Ljekarne SDŽ and Enosophia Winery.
Source: Dalmatinski portal
Photo: Jadran Babić
