Page 164 - Dark Shades of Istria
P. 164
Istrian Memories in the Dark Tourism Context: The Qualitative Analysis
Figure 8.4 Solemn Requiem Mass at the Parish Church of Lanišće
these is certainly the sermon. The priest put special focus on forgiveness
(who and to whom), repentance and prayer. Here he relies on Bulešić’s
thoughts – ‘My revenge is forgiveness.’ He says that Bl. Bulešić forgave
his killer, which makes sense also from the aspect of forgiveness and re-
pentance in this day and age. These historic events and people can be an
example for us today. While constantly connecting and jumping from the
past to the present and the future, the priest never addressed the post-war
totalitarian regime, anti-fascism, the Istrian convivenza, regionalism or
the present political situation in the region or in the state, neither death-
nor suffering-related tourism or pilgrimage; no verbal condemnation was
detected. Memory was not at the forefront either, although the whole ser-
mon was strongly linked to this context. The same applies to the educa-
tional aspect as there were only a few young people present.
The image of Bl. Bulešič, which was placed on the priest’s left side,
was supported by a large relic in the front of the altar and the floral ar-
rangements – the church was not richly decorated. Moreover, there was
no church choir; songs were sung by priests and believers. There were
many attendants and the seats were almost all taken (see Figure 8.4), and
some people even stood at the entrance. The vast majority were mem-
bers of the late middle-aged or older generation which can be attributed
to work obligations and vacation time. Among the believers present, it
was not possible to identify those who were not locals. For everyone, a
particularly impressive moment was the placing of the relic of Bl. Bulešić
164
Figure 8.4 Solemn Requiem Mass at the Parish Church of Lanišće
these is certainly the sermon. The priest put special focus on forgiveness
(who and to whom), repentance and prayer. Here he relies on Bulešić’s
thoughts – ‘My revenge is forgiveness.’ He says that Bl. Bulešić forgave
his killer, which makes sense also from the aspect of forgiveness and re-
pentance in this day and age. These historic events and people can be an
example for us today. While constantly connecting and jumping from the
past to the present and the future, the priest never addressed the post-war
totalitarian regime, anti-fascism, the Istrian convivenza, regionalism or
the present political situation in the region or in the state, neither death-
nor suffering-related tourism or pilgrimage; no verbal condemnation was
detected. Memory was not at the forefront either, although the whole ser-
mon was strongly linked to this context. The same applies to the educa-
tional aspect as there were only a few young people present.
The image of Bl. Bulešič, which was placed on the priest’s left side,
was supported by a large relic in the front of the altar and the floral ar-
rangements – the church was not richly decorated. Moreover, there was
no church choir; songs were sung by priests and believers. There were
many attendants and the seats were almost all taken (see Figure 8.4), and
some people even stood at the entrance. The vast majority were mem-
bers of the late middle-aged or older generation which can be attributed
to work obligations and vacation time. Among the believers present, it
was not possible to identify those who were not locals. For everyone, a
particularly impressive moment was the placing of the relic of Bl. Bulešić
164
