ISTRIANS IN NOVI SAD BETWEEN THE TWO WORLD WARS

Abstract

The fall of Istria under Italian rule, as an outcome of the First World War and the Treaty of Rapallo, caused great suffering for the local Slovene and Croatian population: schools were abolished, employees dismissed, intellectuals persecuted, factories closed down. Incapable of defending themselves from fascist terror, they were forced to emigrate to their mother country – The Kingdom of Yugoslavia. One of the towns that opened its gates to Istrian refugees was Novi Sad, where they received a warm welcome, both by the authorities and the citizens of Novi Sad. Well – educated and hard – working, the Istrians soon started playing a significant role in the economic and social life of Novi Sad, a town that was at the time experiencing a demographic, economic and administrative growth. Similarly to the situation in other Yugoslav centres, the Istrians in Novi Sad founded their associations, with the primary aim of helping out their poorest members, but also with one of constantly reminding the public of the Italian occupation of Istria. The activities of several Istrian associations, the most famous of which was the Educational and Charitable Society of Istria, had a caritative, educational, but also cultural and entertaining character. This association was given moral and financial support by the banate and town authorities, although they also demonstrated a certain amount of caution, lest the activities of Istria might complicate the sensitive Italian – Yugoslav relations.