Source: Dalmacija danas Photo: Jadran Babić
On the sunny Prokurative in Split, the third Advent candle of joy was lit on the GastroAdvent wreath today by Split radio journalists. GastroAdvent is an event that was conceived 16 years ago by nutritionist and dietician Olja Martinić. This year, it is taking place under the motto ‘Let the ocean breathe’.
“The sea nourishes us and is an indispensable part of top-notch gastronomy. In addition to being a source of food, the sea is also medicine. The traditional presence of seafood in the Mediterranean diet is complemented by the growing interest in the use of algae in modern gastronomy. Sea plants, increasingly accepted in culinary art, are often called the food of the future. Algae are a valuable source of iodine, iron, copper, zinc and other important nutritional components, especially useful for athletes. Only plants from clean and preserved, breathing seas are suitable for human consumption. Hermit crabs, barnacles and fish that feed on algae also participate in the ecosystem of a healthy sea, contributing to our diet and health,” emphasizes the author of the project, Olja Martinić.
Red algae
It reveals how we can consume algae and seafood through other products, as a supplement. So does red algae.
“Red algae is a natural thickener known as agar-agar. For women, consuming it means fewer wrinkles, and for athletes, faster recovery. During Gastroadvent, we will continue to share valuable information, talk about algae and the possibilities of growing them,” emphasizes Olja, who wished the ladies fewer wrinkles and the athletes more success, also congratulating Hajduk on the results achieved.
The County Prefect of Split-Dalmatia, Blaženko Boban, welcomed the guests and said:
“I want the candle of joy to shine 365 days among us, among you, among all people, good and better, because we see what turbulent times the world is. Because if those candles don’t light up among all of us, our efforts will be in vain. A big thank you to dear Olja, who has been organizing all of this for 16 years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and above all for the education,” said Prefect Boban.
The people of Split and their guests were also greeted at Prokurative by Ana Sičenica from the Split Tourist Board office.
“I invite you to follow these kinds of events because they are very useful. I invite you to follow other programs prepared by the Tourist Board for this year’s Advent festivities,” she emphasized.
The flowerbed is the lungs of our sea. If we destroy the posidonia, there will be no life in the Adriatic Sea. Small shipowners who have been fighting for ecological anchorages for years are aware of this.
HUPB is a gold sponsor of Gastroadvent
Ante Rakuljić from the Croatian Association of Private Shipowners recalls that since 2005 they have built over 100 modern, mostly steel ships, ranging in length from 35 to 50 meters. All of them were built in Croatian shipyards and fly the Croatian flag, employing around 3,000 professional seafarers, mostly Croatian citizens. Over 90 percent of their guests are foreigners. But they have found themselves facing a challenge.
“Today we want to point out the difficulties that await us in the coming seasons if we fail to find solutions together with the competent institutions. Our message is clear – we support the development and reconstruction of the port in Split, but without clearly defined alternative solutions for loading, unloading and berths, we cannot do our job well. We would especially like to emphasize that the Krilo Jesenice Port has been mentioned as a key project for years. The reconstruction was announced two years ago, but the works have not yet started. For us, this represents not only an infrastructural standstill, but also the inability to plan long-term business and the season,” says Rakuljić.
He also points out: “We need better and more direct communication with the relevant institutions, clear information and interlocutors who can make operational decisions. As a strong economic sector that achieves top tourism results, we feel that we have been left on the sidelines in this process, without concrete solutions. Our goal is clear – safe ports, functional berths and cooperation. Without this, there is no safety of navigation, no quality service, and in the long term, there is no sustainable tourism. We want to be partners in finding solutions, but for that it is important that we are heard – now, before the start of the season.”
“For many years now, Split’s caterers have been promoting the Mediterranean way of eating. They make modern versions of traditional recipes. More and more of them are doing so in the winter and are bringing life back to the center of Split,” said Jelena Tabak, president of the Association of Craftsmen at the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, inviting everyone to try what they have prepared this year.
Chef Ivan Colić from Bajamonti in Split emphasizes that they strive to promote a healthy, Mediterranean diet. That’s why their menus offer fritters with cod, pizza with shrimp and Adriatic beech, white fish and seaweed dumplings with red lentils, ‘Vrhovi dubina’ polenta – flavored with seaweed, brudet with agar agar and breaded beech, ‘Vrhovi dubina’ risotto with seaweed and seafood, and Prokurative fritters.
Cod fritters and white fish burger
Throughout Advent, the people of Split and their guests at Prokurative will be able to taste cod fritters and a white fish protein burger. In this way, the Advent team at Prokurative promotes fish consumption and contributes to the goals of Gastroadvent. Along with the meals, near the ice rink and the sound of the sea, Laguna wines – Malvazija Festigia and Casteléo Festigia are also offered.
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.
As part of Advent, the Old City Hall on the Square can also host a multimedia exhibition called ‘Peaks of the Depths – Underwater Heritage of the Split-Dalmatia County’, which features exhibits from more than forty underwater archaeological sites and confirms the importance of the sea and the necessity of its preservation.
This year’s Gastroadvent is dedicated to inspiring dishes prepared from well-known and lesser-known ingredients from the sea. The collaboration with the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split further emphasizes the importance of a scientific approach to sustainable marine management.
This year’s Gastroadvent is dedicated to inspiring dishes prepared from well-known and lesser-known ingredients from the sea. The collaboration with the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split further emphasizes the importance of a scientific approach to sustainable marine management.
Partners are Adriatic Queen, Carlsberg Croatia, Ljekarne SDŽ and Enosophia Winery.
