"The Falkuša is a sustainable boat," Joško Božanić, one of the initiators of a project to revive the falkuša boats, told Hina at the launch of the traditional fishing boat into the Rhine in Strasbourg.
He added that the fishermen of Vis want to tell the story of a boat that can be an example to the European Union because it is a vessel that symbolises sustainable production as it uses selective tools and renewable resources, he said referring to small blue fish that are processed and preserved on the spot.
The Falkuša exhibition was organised by MEP Tonino Picula as part of the 'Terra Marique - Heritage in support of European recovery' project.
Picula deals with the development of islands and coastal areas in the European Parliament among other things, and he sees the falkuša as an expression of persistence and the need of man to cope with the challenge of survival.
Falkuša is a traditional fishing boat from Vis which has been the basic tool of local fishermen for centuries. Seven to nine meters long, it was in use until the mid-20th century and could transport several tonnes of fish. The last original falkuša sank in a storm near Biševo in 1986, and today only replicas of that boat exist.
Božanić said that the story of the falkuša should be preserved as a legacy for the future.
A round table on heritage as support to recovery is being held in the European Parliament on Wednesday. Later today, the falkuša will sail to the European Parliament, where the 'Rota Palagruzona - The oldest European Regatta' exhibition will be opened in the evening.