Anonymous

In school I had a black scarf and then a red one! But the fascists were more “evil.”

Many of the narrators went through different state and political formations during their lifetime. Born during the Kingdom of Italy, they experienced the war on the “wrong” fascist side, and as “losers”, they had to give up their countries to Yugoslavia and the new communist regime. Many did not like this kind of scenario. Mandatory long-term military service was another reason why some young men left Yugoslavia.

He emigrated in 1956 when he was 17 years old. When he arrived in Italy, he sought political asylum. At first, he lived in the Opicina refugee camp, but since he could not find a job, he decided to try his luck in Australia. Before the long and uncertain journey, he wanted to say goodbye to his family. He arrived by steamship, however, his passport was confiscated upon entering Umag. It was taken by his fellow villager who knew that Aurelio had left Savudrija and gone to Italy. The dreams of Australia collapsed, but the echoes of the war were still present.

It was a time when many families had to make very difficult decisions.

He remembered his cousin, who escaped during the night on a boat to Grado. He was lucky, but there are also stories about those who were not spared by the sea. He also recalled a family where the father was a supporter of fascism. Having become a Partisan, his son had to kill the local landowner, so as not to bear the consequences for his father’s “sins.”

He points out that Savudrija and the surroundings were stained with blood not only during the war but also in the post-war, seemingly peaceful period.