Page 255 - Hrobat Virloget, Katja. 2021. V tišini spomina: "eksodus" in Istra. Koper, Trst: Založba Univerze na Primorskem in Založništvo tržaškega tiska
P. 255
Summary
In the Silence of Memory: ‘Exodus’ and Istria
Introduction
The social changes made after the Second World War that are still observ-
able in the Slovenian part of Istria make for an excellent case study of
the almost complete transformation of an urban population due to the
movement of people associated with the ethnic homogenisation of na-
tion states following the shifting of countries’ borders. The Istrian case
speaks about silenced memories, alternative heritage discourses, the ap-
propriation and interruptions of histories along with questions of national
and ethnic identities. Underpinned by a study of Istria’s contested past,
this book may be seen in the direction of self-critical reflections on an ig-
nored chapter in national history, national discourses, majority-minority
relationships, the unspoken, the intertwining of and relations between
marginal/alternative and dominant/hegemonic memories as well as on
changeable fluid border identities, attachment to a place, appropriations
of the past etc. It calls for courage to confront our own ignored memories
and acknowledge the stories of ‘other people among us,’ so that both sides
can reflect on their simultaneous roles as victim and perpetrator, while
learning how to listen to the ‘other’ with empathy.
This book intentionally uses the term ‘exodus,’ despite most Slovenian
historians preferring to use ‘post-war migrations.’ Both terms reflect dis-
putable and parallel national discourses in interpretations of the past. The
extent of discord in the views is seen in the naming ‘exodus’ and ‘refugees’
or ‘esuli’ on the Italian side vs. ‘optants,’ i.e. voluntary migrants under in-
ternational treaties, and the apparently more neutral term ‘post-war mi-
grations’ on the Slovenian side. ‘Exodus’ is the best known term among the
general public and in international literature, also indicating the almost
total elimination of the Italian ethnic community from Istria. Moreover, I
call into question the much-vaunted possible use of ‘voluntary choice’ or
‘opting.’
The book’s introduction presents an ethnographic study that delves into
the ‘exodus’ and its aftermath in Istrian society according to memories of
Istrians alive today who feature various ethnic identities, from Slovenian
253
In the Silence of Memory: ‘Exodus’ and Istria
Introduction
The social changes made after the Second World War that are still observ-
able in the Slovenian part of Istria make for an excellent case study of
the almost complete transformation of an urban population due to the
movement of people associated with the ethnic homogenisation of na-
tion states following the shifting of countries’ borders. The Istrian case
speaks about silenced memories, alternative heritage discourses, the ap-
propriation and interruptions of histories along with questions of national
and ethnic identities. Underpinned by a study of Istria’s contested past,
this book may be seen in the direction of self-critical reflections on an ig-
nored chapter in national history, national discourses, majority-minority
relationships, the unspoken, the intertwining of and relations between
marginal/alternative and dominant/hegemonic memories as well as on
changeable fluid border identities, attachment to a place, appropriations
of the past etc. It calls for courage to confront our own ignored memories
and acknowledge the stories of ‘other people among us,’ so that both sides
can reflect on their simultaneous roles as victim and perpetrator, while
learning how to listen to the ‘other’ with empathy.
This book intentionally uses the term ‘exodus,’ despite most Slovenian
historians preferring to use ‘post-war migrations.’ Both terms reflect dis-
putable and parallel national discourses in interpretations of the past. The
extent of discord in the views is seen in the naming ‘exodus’ and ‘refugees’
or ‘esuli’ on the Italian side vs. ‘optants,’ i.e. voluntary migrants under in-
ternational treaties, and the apparently more neutral term ‘post-war mi-
grations’ on the Slovenian side. ‘Exodus’ is the best known term among the
general public and in international literature, also indicating the almost
total elimination of the Italian ethnic community from Istria. Moreover, I
call into question the much-vaunted possible use of ‘voluntary choice’ or
‘opting.’
The book’s introduction presents an ethnographic study that delves into
the ‘exodus’ and its aftermath in Istrian society according to memories of
Istrians alive today who feature various ethnic identities, from Slovenian
253
