The history of Slovenianhood in Croatia is relatively little researched and written about, but especially neglected is working history of Slovene priests in Croatia, who, apart from providing spiritual care and impact upon moral values, participated in Slovene associations, thus having exerted great influence upon preservation of Slovene language, culture and ethnic identity. Their role was especially important in the first half of the 20th century, later it fell into decline due to the political system of the former Yugoslavia. Priests are significant for the Slovene communities in the neighbouring states, as for Slovene communities in emigration. The article presents the activities of the Slovene priests amongst Slovenes in Croatia and especially in the Slovene associations, as well as their efforts for preservation of the Slovene language and culture in the non-Slovene territory of the common states till the beginning of WWII. The article is based on scientific literature and data from Slovene and Croatian historical periodicals.
COBISS.SI-ID: 26629635
Th e history of Rijeka is specifi c in that it has been marked by the rule of diff erent states, with its identity shaped by members of diff erent nations. Members of the Slovene community, who participated in the city’s public life, also live in such a multinational environment. Considering that many persons of Slovene origin lived and worked in Rijeka, the focus is placed on Slovenes, who participated in the city’s public life. Th ese were primarily professors and priests who, during their life in Rijeka, to some extent, infl uenced the life of the city in the 19th century. Although many individuals of Slovene origin can be recorded in Rijeka’s past, the data on them are scarce and indicate the need for further research on this topic.
COBISS.SI-ID: 46137603
The role of clergy in the region of Istria has been very important throughout history, especially in the preservation of Slovenian and Croatian language in the Julian March area in the period between the two world wars. Although the role of the priest was important, this topic remains relatively unexplored, especially when it comes to Slovene priests who worked in the area of Croatian Istria; some of them are still rather unknown to the general public. That is why, among other issues, this paper deals with the position of Slovene priests in the area of Croatian Istria, with particular emphasis on the work and activities of Leopold Jurca. In addition, Josip Grašič and Stjepan (Štefan) Cek are also mentioned. Leopold Jurca is one of the most important historical figures, who worked in the area of Croatian Istria in the period between the two world wars. His activity is described in the book My Years in Istria under Fascism (Moja leta v Istri pod fašizmom, 1978), and although he has left an autobiographical work behind, it has not been fully valorized among the men of faith. Through his work, Leopold Jurca makes the effort to preserve the Croatian language and cultural heritage. He was quite popular among the parishioners of the Trviž parish between 1929 and 1945 and has left a powerful legacy.
COBISS.SI-ID: 15314179