Šibenik celebrates Coast Day 2014

For the year 2014, PAP/RAC has organised the Coast Day celebration for Croatia in Šibenik, jointly with the Šibenik-Knin County. Apart from being one of the most beautiful coastal towns of Croatia, Šibenik and its surroundings are particularly exposed to the consequences of climate variability and change, which is the topic of this year’s Mediterranean Coast Day. Also, within the MedPartnership initiative, PAP/RAC has been implementing a project in the Šibenik-Knin County aimed at preparing the Coastal Plan for the County, so it was only logical to organise there an awareness-raising event such as the Coast Day celebration. At that, PAP/RAC had full support of the County and Town authorities and organisations.

On Friday, September 19, the event was organised at the Šibenik waterfront. Already in the morning a fair of local eco-produce and traditional arts and crafts was opened. The official programme began at 10:30 a.m. with brief welcome addresses by PAP/RAC Director, the Mayor of Šibenik and the Prefect of the Šibenik-Knin County. This was followed by sketches performed by children of all ages, from early kindergarten to high school. Students from two high schools, one from Split and one from Šibenik, made a presentation about climate changes and variability starting with the global level, down to the level of the Adriatic Sea and ending at the level of the Šibenik-Knin County. While the programme was going on on the land, the near-by sailing club organised a regatta for their juniors. The programme finished at noon when a number of workshops were organised for the children, from presentation of a traditional sailing boat by a 77 year old mariner, over watercolour painting to making toys from waste. All the participants in the programme were given certificates prepared by the County and symbolic gifts. Our Centre used the opportunity to promote its work and the activities of the MedPartnership project, and distributed some promotional materials prepared for the occasion.