The festival begins with the small Tivat regatta, the Gadbois Cup for the Optimist and ILCA classes, which will take place on Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25. On Saturday evening, the official opening of the festival will be held on the Pine waterfront, featuring a concert by Bajaga and Instruktori. The final Sunday of April, April 26, is reserved for the Tivat Cruisers Regatta, the UNA Montenegro Cup, which will be held for the 21st time this year.<\/p>\n
The Wind Festival represents a strong platform for cooperation, bringing together 97 partners and sponsors. This year, through programs in Tivat, two segments in Kotor, and the closing event in Herceg Novi, it expands to include all the towns of the Bay of Kotor.<\/p>\n
On behalf of the Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor, University of Montenegro, Vice Dean for Development and Communication, Assistant Professor Dr. Zorica \u0110urovi\u0107, spoke about the importance of the festival\u2019s scientific and professional segment: \u201cThis year, we are especially pleased to announce the Wind Festival and the conference \u2018Boka Kotorska as a Sustainable Nautical Destination,\u2019 as from this year we also have a Kotor edition of the festival. The conference itself is expanding into a two-day event \u2013 on May 7 in Tivat, we will discuss the integration of policy, science, and community in coastal management, while on May 8 in Dobrota, the focus will be on the topic \u2018UNESCO and the Future of Cruising in the Bay.\u2019 The idea is to bring together experts who will offer concrete solutions and examples of good practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. \u0110urovi\u0107 also announced accompanying events in Kotor, including an exhibition on the history of the Port of Kotor, as well as the exhibition \u201cSail & Fly \u2013 Boka Kotorska\u201d by academic painter Ivana Bjelica. The educational program in Tivat will also be complemented by the panel discussion \u201cThe Defense of Vrmac and the Final Days,\u201d led by journalist and publicist Brano Mandi\u0107, with the participation of prominent researchers of the area.<\/p>\n
PR Manager of the Tivat Tourist Organization, Tamara Krstovi\u0107, emphasized the importance of the festival for destination development: \u201cThe Tourist Organization of Tivat has recognized the value of the Wind Festival from its very first year. The festival is designed so that through segments of culture, sport, tradition, education, and environmental protection, it contributes to the sustainable development of tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n
On behalf of the Municipality of Tivat, PR Manager Branka \u010celanovi\u0107 highlighted the values promoted by the festival: \u201cThe Wind Festival has shown that sailing, environmental protection, education, tradition, and the coastal way of life are not only compatible, but together create space for creative development. Its authenticity lies in a simple yet powerful message \u2013 the beauty of Mediterranean living.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to the regatta segment of the program, which also includes a Veterans Regatta in the ILCA class, Tivat will host the \u201cSea Skills and Crafts Fair \u2018Morska posla\u2019,\u201d as well as numerous cultural events \u2013 the international photography exhibition \u201cPeople of the Sea,\u201d concerts by the youth band Outskirts, the group Wider Horizons, and Orthodox Celts, an evening of klapa singing, and more. During the final festival weekend, Herceg Novi will host a three-day cycling event, including the attractive Urban Downhill race from the \u0160panjola Fortress to the city harbor \u0160kver.<\/p>\n
The program editor of the Wind Festival, Antonela Stjep\u010devi\u0107, emphasized that the festival grows year by year together with the community: \u201cWhat began as a local initiative is increasingly taking shape as a Bay of Kotor festival \u2013 open, connected, and oriented toward the sea. Sailing as the central program connects generations, while the strong presence of children and young people shows how much the festival belongs to the community.<\/p>\n