Lussinpiccolo has 8000 inhabitants and expresses a remarkable historical, archaeological and environmental heritage that make it truly unique. The wonderful pearl of the Adriatic, equipped with a port and airport, is synonymous with international tourist excellence. However, the entire area of ​​Kvarner is also affected by global climate change. There is an insidious trend that closely links Lussinpiccolo with Venice and many other Adriatic coastal cities. This is the phenomenon of high waters: year after year the sea level rises inexorably. Raising the banks is no longer enough and therefore it is necessary to intervene as soon as possible with the fundamental objective of defending the cities with effective hydraulic and environmental engineering works.

From Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 June 2023 Lussinpiccolo will host a study group composed of six Venetian engineers with expertise in environmental and hydraulic engineering. The Venetian delegation is hosted by the City of Lussinpiccolo, the Italian Community of Lussinpiccolo and the Tourist Board. The initiative is organized with the support of the Order of Engineers of Venice, the participation and collaboration of the Italian Union, the patronage of the Consulate General of Italy in Rijeka and AIL Venezia. The meeting is supported by Jadranka Turizam, Thetis, Consorzio Venezia Nuova and Fondazione Archivio Vittorio Cini. Adriatic Europe Project under the aegis of the Council of Europe – Venice Office with the collaboration of the European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica and Gorizia. Partner of Venetian taste Bellini Canella.

The team of experts is composed of engineers Mariano Carraro – President of the Order of Engineers of the Metropolitan City of Venice, Francesca Domeneghetti – Vice President of the Order of Engineers of Venice and Coordinator of the Europa Adriatica project working group, Mario De Marchis – Councilor of the Order of Engineers of Venice, Hermes Redi – Director of the Consorzio Venezia Nuova, Sebastiano Carrer – engineering company Thetis and member of the Climate Change Commission of the Order of Engineers of Venice, Tommaso Marella engineering company Thetis. The meeting is coordinated by Vittorio Baroni, author of the Europa Adriatica project.

 

The program

The engineers will be welcomed in Lussinpiccolo on the afternoon of June 26 by Sanjin Zoretić, President of the Italian Community. On the morning of June 27, starting at 9:00, an inspection will be carried out on board the sailing ship Nerezinac at Bocca Vera, Bocca Falsa and the Privlaka channel. This will be followed by a visit to the Apoxyomenos Museum and an aperitif at the Italian Community of Lussinpiccolo. After lunch, at 16:00, an in-depth meeting is scheduled with the Mayor of Lussinpiccolo Ana Kučić and the engineers who will summarize the situation. A press conference and dialogue with journalists is scheduled for 17:00. The show “Strenti de Scarsela”, presented by the Italian Community of Lussinpiccolo, will be held at 18:30 at the Palazzo Fritzi in Lussinpiccolo. The gala dinner will follow. On June 28th I returned to Venice with a lunch stop in Fiume, guests of the Italian Union.

During the meeting, the partnership agreement of the Adriatic Europe project for sustainable development aimed at the year 2025 will be presented and divided into five key points: culture, art and history; education and training, research and engineering; trade and quality tourism; European participation and inclusion.
The statements

Ana Kučić, Mayor of Mali Lošinj : "Our city is delighted to host this group of Venetian engineers specializing in hydraulics and the environment. We are very interested in Venice's experience in protecting the area from flooding and the impact of climate change. We are committed to further enhancing the safety of Mali Lošinj and promoting its outstanding attractions, ensuring they are known and visited with peace of mind. We share a long history of relations between the two Adriatic shores, and we have a solid foundation for creating sustainable development together."

Mariano Carraro, President of the Order of Engineers of Venice : "The Mayor of Mali Lošinj (Croatia), together with the local Italian community, has invited a delegation from the Order of Engineers of Venice to examine the situation of that city which, like Venice, is threatened by rising sea levels and, consequently, to propose solutions to contain its effects. In Venice we have the MOSE. Can something similar be considered for Mali Lošinj? Or something else? This will be evaluated during the trip scheduled for 26-28 June 2023. We are flattered and encouraged that the authorities of Mali Lošinj have considered us to address an issue that, to some extent, concerns many coastal cities. If Venice is an example, we are pleased, but that does not make us forget the underlying concern for a problem that has a global scale. There are many initiatives that address this issue and we are honored to be part of it." group. We will report on the results."

Sanjin Zoretić, President of the Italian Community of Mali Lošinj : “The visit of the study group from the Order of Engineers of the Metropolitan City of Venice is a great opportunity to establish close ties between Mali Lošinj and Venice, as both cities complement each other in many ways in terms of history, culture, and so on. Engineers who, with their training, experience, and skill, defended Venice from the rising tide, are now coming to the aid of our city, the city of Mali Lošinj. We are grateful to them for this. This visit is particularly important for our Italian community, which is alive but faces great challenges in preserving the language, culture, and traditions of the Italians, who, along with the Croats, are the indigenous people of the island of Lošinj. I am convinced that the Adriatic Europe Project will significantly contribute to the revitalization of our community and a better future for all of us, united by the Adriatic Sea.”

Marin Corva, President of the Executive Board of the Italian Union : "I am pleased to support and collaborate with the Italian Union, which for nearly 80 years has been safeguarding and developing the national, cultural, and linguistic identity of the members of the Italian National Community in Croatia and Slovenia. It is a pleasure for us to act as a bridge for the success of this important initiative, which combines technology, science, and the promotion of Mali Lošinj within the Adriatic Europe project."

Davide Bradanini, Consul General of Italy in Rijeka : "The Consulate General of Italy in Rijeka is pleased to grant its patronage to the event "Venetian Engineers in Mali Lošinj." The meetings and discussions included in the packed program focus on the need for joint protection and enhancement of the cultural, architectural, and naturalistic heritage of our shared Adriatic Sea and its splendid coastline. The exchange of best practices and projects is essential to jointly address the challenges of sustainable development."

Project website: https://adriaticeurope.org/concept