21. Welcome to Dubrovnik - Turistička zajednica grada Dubrovnika

OLD TRADES- Look at these hands, theyare gnarled by hard work. However,when they grab a plane, theyplane energetically and don’tshake. Holding a pencil, he firmlyand confidently draws on woodvarious models of boats which heconstructed. Uncle Mato takespride in dozens of 7 to 13-metrelong family and sport boats whichthey constructed for the customersfrom Dubrovnik to Cavtat. A boatbuilder marked by the familytradition, Mato Dužević keeps ontalking about his grandfather, father,uncle and brother whom he workedwith. The moment you enter hisworkshop you stop listening to himand forget everything mesmerizedby an 11-metre long boat. Althoughthe boat has not been completed,the first thing you can think of isJackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassisstanding at the stern of the boat.This is a bit strange association whenyou are surrounded by concretewalls and the floor covered withsawdust, but it probably comes toyour mind because its elegant shapeis reminiscent of the boats on whichthis couple were photographed. Thewood under your hand is perfectlysmooth, like silk. To achieve that, allof us polished it with glass paper fordays, says the boat builder thinkingof his sons and grandson. It is thuseasy to understand his statementthat boat building is an art, andthat boat builders are like sculptors.Uncle Mato began to construct theboat six years ago. The hull and thedeck have been completed, with theplanking made of oak and the deckmade of teakwood.It is my last piece, I invested all myenergy into that boat, but I don’t havethe funds for its completion. I need 50thousand Euros to equip it and provideit with the electronics. I could sell it,but I don’t want to. Let it remain myartistic and lifetime achievement inaddition to the hundreds of boats thatwere completed. I could place in into amuseum, in the middle of Stradun, sothat everyone can see what a man cando with his hands.In the mid 1980s his familyconstructed the last new boat oncommission. If plastic had notprevailed over wooden boat building,perhaps Mato’s two sons wouldhave stayed with him in Luka. Beingas it is, they both live and work inDubrovnik. Wooden boat buildingis a demanding work. It is not donein a stereotype manner as is the casewith plastic. Each part is specialand unique. The boat has a line thathas to be recognized and adjusted,nothing is straight and everythingis rounded. Wood has a soul andcannot be compared with plastic,which, on the other hand, is cheaperand easier to maintain.Mato Dužević and his grandson Ivanrepair wooden boats in the village ofLuka. Ivan learned joiner’s trade andmoved to his grandfather in Luka inorder to gain knowledge from him.Mato Dužević thus passes his hugelife experience onto his grandson.Although he loves the job and workswith the same enthusiasm as in thebeginning, he admits that he is tired.On the other hand, I wouldn’t still bedoing it if I didn’t love the job… sayshe, and continues with a smile. Thereis nothing more beautiful than a prettywoman and a fine boat…54 DOBRODOŠLI U DUBROVNIK LJETO 2011.