The “Istrian Exodus” and the Istrian Society that Followed It

Abstract

The "Istrian Exodus" and the Istrian Society that Followed It This ethnologic study focuses on the aftermath of the "Istrian exodus", including the conflicting national discourses concerning it and the related silenced memories. Various migration processes are highlighted on the basis of memories. Analysing the social processes that took place in Istrian society after the exodus, the paper examines the concepts of the "other" and of "home", and the establishment of symbolic boundaries.

My Silent Story: Conflicted Memories, Silences and Intergenerational Traumas1

“…On top of that, with the altered social structure, the loss of their social network, the change in the dominant language, and the reversal of the social status from superior to inferior, they felt like foreigners in their own home (Ballinger, 2003, pp. 207–244; Hrobat Virloget, 2021; 2023a).…”

“…42−45; Volk, 2003, pp. 47–50; Gombač, 2005, p. 65; Kalc, 2019; Hrobat Virloget, 2023a, etc.). Many researchers argued how problematic it is to define ethnic identities of migrants, because the identities of these borderland communities can be characterized by “national indifference”, from hybridity, opportunism and fluidity to indeterminacy (Orlić, 2023, pp.…”

“…Many researchers argued how problematic it is to define ethnic identities of migrants, because the identities of these borderland communities can be characterized by “national indifference”, from hybridity, opportunism and fluidity to indeterminacy (Orlić, 2023, pp. 167–179; Hrobat Virloget, 2023a). However, the Istrian exodus almost wiped out an entire ethnic community in Istria, namely the Italian.…”

“…A small percent of the Italian community decided not to leave. However, Hrobat Virloget questions the “voluntariness” of migrations, arguing that they can also be seen as a consequence of a push towards a “voluntary” choice to leave (Hrobat Virloget, 2023a).…”

Kako prekinuti šutnju o traumatskim sjećanjima uz slovensko-talijansku granicu

“…On the other hand, by using this term I do not pretend that the process was not monumental, after all it almost wiped out an entire ethnic community in Istria. By using it I also question the so greatly extolled "free choice" or option, although in a legal sense it did exist (see Hrobat Virloget 2023a).…”