This year's edition will have its own Kotor chapter for the first time, confirming the conference's continued growth and increasingly important role in bringing together experts in the fields of maritime affairs, ecology, tourism and coastal management.
Opening the conference, representative of the Institute of Marine Biology Slavica Petović said that Boka Kotorska is a place of exceptional natural beauty, but also an area facing serious challenges.
"Boka represents a place where the wind meets the sea, where the past meets the future. But, unfortunately, it is not a place without problems. We are aware of the great pressures of anthropogenic origin, both on land and at sea, and that is precisely why we are here today - to define the problems and try to find solutions," said Petović.
She expressed her expectation that the conference, with the participation of domestic and international experts, will provide concrete guidelines for preserving Boka Kotorska as a "green, blue and preserved" environment for future generations.
On behalf of the organizers, Antonela Stjepčević from JK Delfin reminded that the Wind Festival originated from a sporting and sailing tradition, but that from the very beginning it also had a strong educational component.
"The sea is not just a habitat for fish and plankton – we are also sea creatures. This is how we should live and this is what we should teach our children," Stjepčević emphasized.
Speaking about the development of the Wind Festival, she emphasized that the organizers' goal was to highlight the importance of a sustainable relationship with the sea and the coast through sports, education, and promotion of Boka Kotorska.
"We can't keep saying what's wrong. We have to try to create a better environment and we are all responsible for that," said Stjepčević, thanking partners from the academic community and institutions that support the development of the conference.
The Director of the Institute of Marine Biology, Dr. Mirko Đurović, assessed that such gatherings are rare in Montenegro, but necessary in order to open a serious dialogue between science, politics and the community.
"The conference slogan 'Integration of Politics, Science and Community' points precisely to one of our weakest links – communication between politics and the community. The community must not be a silent observer when it comes to the space in which it lives," said Đurović.
He particularly addressed the problem of intensive cruising tourism in the Bay of Kotor, stating that the pressures it produces are increasingly visible, both in space and in the daily lives of the local population.
Đurović also announced cooperation with the "Kotor Santa Barbara" community, through which students from California, together with the Institute of Marine Biology and the Faculty of Maritime Affairs, will conduct research on the possibilities of reducing the number of cruise ships in the bay without negative economic consequences.
"The goal is to allow Kotor and the bay to 'breathe' again, while at the same time preserving the economic benefits of tourism," said Đurović.
On behalf of the Municipality of Tivat, Mirela Jarić addressed the attendees, emphasizing that the local government recognizes the importance of the conference and will continue to support such initiatives.
"The sea is part of our identity and way of life. We must preserve and improve that quality of life," said Jarić, adding that the Municipality of Tivat is simultaneously working on projects for marine infrastructure and the development of anchorages.
Conference director Zorica Đurović presented the program of the second day of the conference, which will be held tomorrow at the Slavjanska Reading Room in Dobrota, entitled "UNESCO and the Future of Cruising in Our Bay".
The panel discussion will be attended by the Mayor of Kotor Municipality Vladimir Jokić, Director of the Port of Kotor Ljubo Radović, representative of the Dubrovnik Port Authority Dario Barbarić, and Assistant Professor Dr. Stevan Kordić on behalf of the National Commission for UNESCO.
The conference will be accompanied by a series of accompanying events within the Wind Festival, including an exhibition dedicated to the history of the Port of Kotor, realized in cooperation with the Maritime Museum of Montenegro, as well as an exhibition by academic painter and visual artist Ivana Bjelica entitled "Sailing Fly Boka Kotorska", the opening of which is scheduled for May 19 at the Glass Gallery of the "Nikola Đurković" Cultural Center.
