Ethnic and territorial identity Slovene minority in Italy

1 ethnic , territorial identity

1.1 slovenes of trieste , gorizia
1.2 venetian slovenia
1.3 canale valley slovenes
1.4 resia valley

ethnic , territorial identity

the slovene minority in italy highly differentiated along geographic, cultural-historical, identity , linguistic lines. in cultural-historical terms, 3 separate groups can differentiated: slovenes of julian march (the provinces of trieste , gorizia), slovenes venetian slovenia, , slovenes canale valley (in province of udine). each of these 3 groups has had different history, resulted in different identities. slovenes in resia valley considered fourth group, due specific linguistic features , separate identity; nevertheless, share common history, similar cultural , linguistic features slovenes venetian slovenia.

slovenes of trieste , gorizia

some basovizza residents in traditional karst dress @ celebration



a bilingual identity card issued in trieste

the slovenes living in provinces of trieste , gorizia shared, until 1918, same history other slovenes: end of 15th century, included in habsburg monarchy, , in 19th century actively participated in slovene national revival. between 1849 , 1918, part of austrian administrative region known austrian littoral, , known littoral slovenes (primorski slovenci). after 1918, came under italian administration , included in region known julian march (venezia giulia). shared same fate other slovenes in julian march: subjected violent fascist italianization, gave rise pro-yugoslav irredentism. in 1947, after world war ii, new border between italy , yugoslavia drawn, dividing julian march between 2 states. border artificial, insofar not based on significant historical or geographical divides: in areas, not @ clear villages annexed yugoslavia , remain in italy. in many cases, border separated families , ran through fields , estates. these reasons contributed strong connection between slovenes remained in italy counterparts annexed yugoslavia.

until 1950s , 1960s, slovenes provinces of gorizia , trieste referred littoral slovenes. since 1960s, identification slovenian littoral has faded, can still traced in names of institutions, notably in title of slovene daily newspaper of trieste, called primorski dnevnik means “the littoral daily”. between 1940s , 1960s, slovenes provinces of gorizia , trieste established infrastructure of minority organizations serve needs of whole minority. have enjoyed degree of cultural autonomy (the important feature being education system in slovene) since 1945, , have maintained strong relations slovenia, neighboring border areas of slovenian littoral. in 1986 slovenian community founded football club kras repen, locates fan base among slovenes in italy.

venetian slovenia

venetian slovenia (slovene: beneška slovenija, italian: slavia veneta) traditional name slovene-speaking areas in valleys of upper natisone , torre rivers in eastern friuli (currently in province of udine). history of these areas has been linked history of friuli. unlike other ethnic slovene territories (including areas of gorizia , trieste), region part of venetian republic around 350 years (hence name of region). during period, enjoyed large degree of autonomy.

the slovenes in area annexed italy rest of venetia region in 1866, is, half century before slovenes of gorizia , trieste, remained under austrian rule until after world war i.

for long, identity of local slovenes linguistic and, extent, ethnic one, not national one. slovenes of these areas lacked form of collective minority or linguistic rights until year 2000, when law defense of slovene-speaking minority passed italian parliament.

canale valley slovenes

around 3,000 slovenes live in canale valley in north-easternmost part of province of udine. valley divided among 3 municipalities: tarvisio (trbiž), malborghetto valbruna (naborjet - ovčja vas), , pontebba (tablja). of local slovenes live in first two, representing around half of population in malborghetto valbruna , lower percentage in tarvisio.

until 1918, canale valley (kanalska dolina) part of austro-hungarian empire. since middle ages, part of duchy of carinthia. local slovene speakers shared same history, traditions , linguistic features other carinthian slovenes. according last austrian census of 1910, valley had around 9,000 inhabitants, among whom around third slovene speakers , other german speakers. in 1918, after end of world war i, valley occupied italian army, , in 1919 officially annexed italy. in 1920s , 1930s, many italians settled in area, bordered both austria , yugoslavia. in 1939, south tyrol option agreement between italy , nazi germany applied ethnic germans in area; conqequence, of german-speaking population resettled neighboring carinthia. new settlers other parts of italy gradually took place, altered ethnic composition of valley.

nowadays, slovene still spoken in several villages in valley, valbruna (ovčja vas), camporosso in valcanale (Žabnice), ugovizza (ukve), , san leopoldo (lipalja vas). there has been revival of slovene language in these villages after 1990, focus on younger generations.

resia valley


bilingual italian-resian road sign in resia valley, friuli

the inhabitants of resia valley in north-western friuli speak specific dialect of slovene, known resian. due specific phonetic features , archaic grammar, resian not mutually intelligible standard slovene , other slovene dialects. historically , culturally (as linguistically), resia considered part of venetian slovenia. nevertheless, inhabitants maintain special identity. according italian , regional legislation, resians considered part of slovene minority in italy; however, there strong local movements oppose identification slovenes , slovene language, , defend separate resian identity. however, these movements associated italian nationalism, , defend folkloristic understanding of local culture. on other hand, of more active cultural associations in valley defend resian culture part of wider slovene culture.