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Award for Fažana and Its Small Fishing Academy Pilchard
Award for Fažana and Its Small Fishing Academy Pilchard
With its authentic story of preserving and passing on fishing heritage for more than two decades, Fažana has been recognised as one of Europe’s leading examples of sustainable cultural tourism.
Fishing is not just part of Fažana’s history and collective memory - it is a living tradition that visitors can experience first-hand. Here, on the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, you can listen to local fishermen’s stories, savour traditional flavours and discover the heritage that has shaped life by the sea for generations. You can even learn how to salt sardines and mend fishing nets.
This vibrant, community-driven story has now earned European recognition, with Fažana receiving an award at the ECTN Awards - Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism, organised by the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) .
The Small Fishing Academy Pilchard (Mala ribarska akademija Sardela) took third prize in the Creative Tourism and Co-Created Cultural Tourism Experiences category, demonstrating how an authentic local story can reach beyond its place of origin and resonate with audiences across Europe.
More than 20 years of keeping fishing traditions alive The Small Fishing Pilchard Academy was established in 2004 at the initiative of the Fažana Tourist Board, in cooperation with the Municipality of Fažana, local fishermen, residents and hospitality businesses. Dedicated to safeguarding living fishing heritage, passing traditional knowledge on to younger generations and creating authentic experiences, the Academy invites visitors to become active participants rather than mere observers.
Over the past two decades, it has grown into a comprehensive year-round programme of events and activities . These include the Pilchard Salting School, The Sea on the Table, What Fishermen Know and Rhapsody in Blue, as well as workshops held as part of Traditional Evenings on the Fažana Waterfront. The programme is further enriched by numerous activities in the Fažanski olivari olive grove.