Page 174 - Dark Shades of Istria
P. 174
Istrian Memories in the Dark Tourism Context: The Qualitative Analysis
5. The beatification ceremony in Trieste Cathedral in 2008;
6. Photographs of various occasions related to Bl. Bonifacio.
In addition to photographic records, copies of various documents and
suchlike, the exhibition was also marked by a glass showcase with Boni-
facio’s personal items, e.g. breviary, headgear and metal cilice, which all
have a religious symbolic meaning. Panels with photographs and copies
of documents were placed on the left and right side of the nave, while the
showcase was placed at the end of the nave in front of the altar. The inter-
esting initiative for arranging the memorial route of Francesco Bonifacio
(Trieste–Piran–Krasica–Novigrad) was also exhibited.¹⁸
After the conclusion of the ceremony at approximately 6.30 pm, all
the main protagonists were interviewed by the journalist present. Visi-
tors looked at the displayed exhibits together and quietly discussed them;
the parish priest and Mr. Ravalico stayed with them. At around 7 pm, they
all went to the square, where a table with simple snacks and beverages was
set next to the church. Food and beverages were available to the visitors
free of charge.
Regardless of the fact that the memorial exhibition took place in the
sacral building and that the Catholic parish priest was present, it is diffi-
cult to interpret it as a typical religious event. In any case, its Italian char-
acter was much more evident, although the characteristic convivenza was
not mentioned at all. In addition, regionalism, the present political situ-
ation in the region or in the state did not prove to be relevant for this
dark commemorative event; the above-mentioned memorial route can
be linked with tourism – religious tourism (pilgrimage). Communism
was mentioned, although not in the Istrian context. The memory of the
work and personality of Francesco Bonifacio and especially of his myste-
rious death were at the forefront of the event. The potential dark tourism
experience was also reinforced with an exhibit related to the suffering
of the man, i.e. the metal cilice. Despite its expected high relevance for
the people of this part of the multicultural cross-border Istria and be-
yond, the dark commemorative event had in fact a nearly negligible sig-
nificance from the (collective) memorial or tourism aspect. The tragic
history-centric story enriched with its religious, ideological and multi-
hypothesis that he was thrown dead or still alive into the abyss (foiba), was therefore not
confirmed.
¹⁸ A former railroad track Parenzana represents an important comparative example. This
complements Vojnović’s (2020) research.
174
5. The beatification ceremony in Trieste Cathedral in 2008;
6. Photographs of various occasions related to Bl. Bonifacio.
In addition to photographic records, copies of various documents and
suchlike, the exhibition was also marked by a glass showcase with Boni-
facio’s personal items, e.g. breviary, headgear and metal cilice, which all
have a religious symbolic meaning. Panels with photographs and copies
of documents were placed on the left and right side of the nave, while the
showcase was placed at the end of the nave in front of the altar. The inter-
esting initiative for arranging the memorial route of Francesco Bonifacio
(Trieste–Piran–Krasica–Novigrad) was also exhibited.¹⁸
After the conclusion of the ceremony at approximately 6.30 pm, all
the main protagonists were interviewed by the journalist present. Visi-
tors looked at the displayed exhibits together and quietly discussed them;
the parish priest and Mr. Ravalico stayed with them. At around 7 pm, they
all went to the square, where a table with simple snacks and beverages was
set next to the church. Food and beverages were available to the visitors
free of charge.
Regardless of the fact that the memorial exhibition took place in the
sacral building and that the Catholic parish priest was present, it is diffi-
cult to interpret it as a typical religious event. In any case, its Italian char-
acter was much more evident, although the characteristic convivenza was
not mentioned at all. In addition, regionalism, the present political situ-
ation in the region or in the state did not prove to be relevant for this
dark commemorative event; the above-mentioned memorial route can
be linked with tourism – religious tourism (pilgrimage). Communism
was mentioned, although not in the Istrian context. The memory of the
work and personality of Francesco Bonifacio and especially of his myste-
rious death were at the forefront of the event. The potential dark tourism
experience was also reinforced with an exhibit related to the suffering
of the man, i.e. the metal cilice. Despite its expected high relevance for
the people of this part of the multicultural cross-border Istria and be-
yond, the dark commemorative event had in fact a nearly negligible sig-
nificance from the (collective) memorial or tourism aspect. The tragic
history-centric story enriched with its religious, ideological and multi-
hypothesis that he was thrown dead or still alive into the abyss (foiba), was therefore not
confirmed.
¹⁸ A former railroad track Parenzana represents an important comparative example. This
complements Vojnović’s (2020) research.
174
