Page 159 - Dark Shades of Istria
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8.2 Case Study Event 1
Roman Amphitheatre), continuing down to Giardini Street and Laginja
Street to the House of Croatian defenders. The police regulated traffic and
ensured the smooth running of the parade. At the helm of the parade was
a long Croatian flag carried by the defenders from the Istrian County, fol-
lowed by flag bearers, then the Pula brass band, which played the entire
time of the parade, high political representatives of the State, the Istrian
County and municipalities, and, finally, other Croatian defenders (see
Figure 8.2). There were some random (foreign and domestic) tourists
watching and taking photos, wondering what was going on. The parade
did not attract local residents either, as there were only a few locals on the
left and right sides of the streets; some of them came from nearby bars,
others were watching the parade from there. Clapping was heard, many
took photographs with their smart phones. Figure 8.2 shows the entry of
the parade participants into the yard of the House of Croatian defenders,
where the brief ceremony took place – from 10.30 to 10.55 (Table 8.2).
Standing on the stage in the yard, the speaker welcomed all partici-
pants, especially the members of the associations of defenders. A singer
then sang the national anthem and the anthem of the Istrian County.
The speaker continued with her patriotic speech, where she mentioned
the victims of Vukovar, Škabrnja and other sites, and linked them with
the Greater-Serbian aggression and the Chetniks. This was followed by a
minute of silence. In his short speech, the President of the Coordination
of Associations associated with the Homeland War of the Istrian County
thanked the City of Pula, the County and volunteers for their work and/or
support, not forgetting to mention the success of Croatian footballers
at the World Cup. The Mayor of Pula expressed his congratulations on
the holiday and reminded the attendees that Croatia won the war, which
means today people should be thankful and extremely proud of the de-
fenders; because of them people can live and work in a free state. The last
honorary speaker was the President of the Istrian County who thanked
all participants and those who once again helped to show the image of
community, unity, freedom and joy. These features of Istria are especially
important for children and, therefore, for the future. National pride, re-
spect and memory were highlighted. The ceremony then turned into a
celebration with Croatian music, and free food and beverages. Due to the
summer heat, people mostly stayed in the shade of the trees and parasols
in the yard. Some men already showed visible signs of alcohol intoxica-
tion. Lunch for politicians and other vi p guests was served in the House
of Croatian defenders. There were no tourists present.
159
Roman Amphitheatre), continuing down to Giardini Street and Laginja
Street to the House of Croatian defenders. The police regulated traffic and
ensured the smooth running of the parade. At the helm of the parade was
a long Croatian flag carried by the defenders from the Istrian County, fol-
lowed by flag bearers, then the Pula brass band, which played the entire
time of the parade, high political representatives of the State, the Istrian
County and municipalities, and, finally, other Croatian defenders (see
Figure 8.2). There were some random (foreign and domestic) tourists
watching and taking photos, wondering what was going on. The parade
did not attract local residents either, as there were only a few locals on the
left and right sides of the streets; some of them came from nearby bars,
others were watching the parade from there. Clapping was heard, many
took photographs with their smart phones. Figure 8.2 shows the entry of
the parade participants into the yard of the House of Croatian defenders,
where the brief ceremony took place – from 10.30 to 10.55 (Table 8.2).
Standing on the stage in the yard, the speaker welcomed all partici-
pants, especially the members of the associations of defenders. A singer
then sang the national anthem and the anthem of the Istrian County.
The speaker continued with her patriotic speech, where she mentioned
the victims of Vukovar, Škabrnja and other sites, and linked them with
the Greater-Serbian aggression and the Chetniks. This was followed by a
minute of silence. In his short speech, the President of the Coordination
of Associations associated with the Homeland War of the Istrian County
thanked the City of Pula, the County and volunteers for their work and/or
support, not forgetting to mention the success of Croatian footballers
at the World Cup. The Mayor of Pula expressed his congratulations on
the holiday and reminded the attendees that Croatia won the war, which
means today people should be thankful and extremely proud of the de-
fenders; because of them people can live and work in a free state. The last
honorary speaker was the President of the Istrian County who thanked
all participants and those who once again helped to show the image of
community, unity, freedom and joy. These features of Istria are especially
important for children and, therefore, for the future. National pride, re-
spect and memory were highlighted. The ceremony then turned into a
celebration with Croatian music, and free food and beverages. Due to the
summer heat, people mostly stayed in the shade of the trees and parasols
in the yard. Some men already showed visible signs of alcohol intoxica-
tion. Lunch for politicians and other vi p guests was served in the House
of Croatian defenders. There were no tourists present.
159
