Slovenes of Trieste and Gorizia Slovene minority in Italy

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.