CULTURAL IDENTITY, MULTICULTURALISM AND INTERCULTURALISM – ISTRIAN

EXPERIENCES

Nataša UroševićInterdisciplinary Study Programme of Culture

and TourismJuraj Dobrila University of Pula,

Croatia

Abstract:

The paper will analyze concepts of cultural identity, multiculturalism and interculturalism in the context of European integration. We will explore the processes of affirmation of local and regional cultural identities as a response to the globalization of cultural trends, focusing on the historical experience of the westernmost Croatian region - Istria - as a specific border contact zone. We will also indicate possible models of valorization of cultural diversity and intercultural communication in multicultural environments. Our paper will be based on the field research conducted in the framework of the courses "Cultural Identity of Croatia" and "European Identity" at the Interdisciplinary Study Programme of Culture and Tourism. Using a qualitative methodology, we interviewed 175 citizens of Istria. We explored their attitudes toward multiculturalism and interculturalism, as well as their thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of Croatian accession to the European Union. The main objective of our research was to explore self-perception of Croatian citizens about the values of their cultural identity, the possibilites of improvement of intercultural communication in the region, as well as the attitudes towards EU accession.

Theoretical framework: culture, identity and globalization

The idea of culture (Eagleton): questions of values, symbolism, language, tradition, belonging and identity.

Culture in the era of globalization: changes the meaning of identity as a permanent, stable and unchanging means of social integration.

Cultural identity as a project of belonging and organization of the meaning of life today is based on freedom of cultural choice.

Postmodern, postnational and postcultural condition articulate culture as a dynamic, open structure to build a fundamental, globalized identity as transnational and hybrid.

Globalization has announced the identity crisis, and the crisis of the neoliberal model and the free market ideology of ready-made identity options regressive return to the comunity as a shelter in relation to the planetary effects of globalization.

Is it possible to confront the formation of the European cultural identity (as a hybrid, postnational identity of multicultural Europe) to a neoliberal global system that politicizes the culture and produces the identities of resistance?

Key concepts

Cultural identity: people’s source of meaning and experience (Castels). As a local response to the globalization of cultural trends, it is constantly being re-constructed or "invented" with the help of stories, symbols and other forms of representation, based on the basic systems of language, ethnicity, religion, heritage or history.

The process of discursive formation is common in the creation of European and national identities. Although such cultural and historical constructions have a certain emancipatory role in the fight for human rights, freedom and democracy, they often justify the use of force, genocide and war. Specifically, such a process of "imagining of community" and the construction of national identity based on grand narratives always as a result has the homogenization and the exclusion of the Other and different as foreign and hostile.

Since the fate of the modern world is cultural diversity, ethnic absolutism represents regressive line of late modernity.

History of European countries after World War II showed that their development depends mostly on the possibility to radically pacify their societies and become an active part of the European integration process.

Approaches to the concept of cultural diversity:

Multiculturalism: coexistence of multiple cultures in a society, demographic and cultural diversity of society, without mutual relations.

Interculturalism: dynamic, equitable and creative exchange and interaction between cultures that are aware of their differences and shared values. Since it occurs as a critique of the static nature of a multicultural approach, its primary task is to define the potential of the dynamic interrelationships and mutual relations between different cultures, and advocacy for equal rights for all cultural groups in contact.

Transculturalism: developed under the influence of globalization, debates on issues of common European identity and European values and establishing of a common European market; linked to the development of transnational cultural orientation, stands for the highest respect for European values and standards within each cultural interrelationship.

Cultural pluralism: observes every culture as a dynamic entity characterized by pluralistic character (diversity of attitudes, values, artifacts and patterns of behavior).

Istria – a model of sustainable multiculturalism?

The westernmost Croatian region: a multicultural, contact zone with mobile boundaries, where different cultures continually meet and negotiate (cultural hybridity).

The crossroad of cultures (Slavic, Romance and Germanic), on the border between the East and West, North and South: a wealth of different cultural influences.

Specific border region particularly sensitive to reflect the multicultural “unity in diversity” of contemporary Europe.

The Mediterranean northernmost peninsula, with the central position at the heart of Europe today is the most important Croatian tourist region.

Research

Field research conducted in the framework of the courses Cultural Identity of Croatia and European Identity at the Interdisciplinary Study Programme of Culture and Tourism (University of Pula, Croatia).

Main objective: to train students to critically reflect local responses to global cultural processes, Croatian and European cultural identity, cultural politics, multiculturalism and interculturalism.

Using a qualitative methodology, we interviewed 175 Istrian citizens. We explored their attitudes toward multiculturalism and

interculturalism, as well as their thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of Croatian accession to the European Union. The main objective of our research was to explore self-perception of Croatian citizens about the values of their cultural identity, the possibilites of improvement of intercultural communication in the region, as well as the attitudes towards EU accession.

Basic instrument: a questionnaire with 14 questions, mostly open-ended.

Results

Question: What does the term “Croatian cultural identity” mean to you? Answers: - Cultural heritage, language, and mentality of the people...- Whole tradition and heritage of the country through all its history.- Our place in the world, our heritage, culture, history, customs and way

of life, once and today.- Something that is unique to us, to our country, that we are proud of and

we want everyone to know.- Set of specifities by which we recognize ourselves and by which others

recognize us.- Multiethnicity, representation of all regions in their customs.- Something we are trying to sell ourselves and others, that doesn’t really

exist. - Combination of different and very old heritage in a very small place,

which is with more or less success increasingly valorised and presented. It is impossible to define it briefly, because of various influences with regard to the history of different regions.

Croatian cultural identity?

Results

Question: What are the cultural characteristics, elements of tangible and intangible heritage and values by which we are recognized abroad?

Answers: - Large number of preserved monuments in a wide area as evidence of long-term civilization, various preserved customs and traditions, an interesting blend of East and West.

- Number of tangible and intangible heritage inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

- Adriatic sea and beautiful coastline, thousand islands, Mediterranean cities (Dubrovnik, Korčula, Hvar), beauty of nature (The Plitvice Lakes, Kornati Islands), gastronomy, history and rich cultural heritage.

- Cultural diversity and diversity of mentalities.- Uniqueness of language(s), literature, cultural heritage, tradition, natural

features and gastronomy.

Results

Question: Is Croatia well known/recognized abroad? What are the possibilities to improve the image?

Only 17% of respondents think that Croatia is well known abroad. Others believe that the image of Croatia is still based on ecologically preserved natural resources, sun and sea, while the cultural specifities are not sufficiently emphasized.

Answers:- For years the image was created on the beautiful coast and clear sea. Our

culture is not sufficiently known and we do not use enough the potential of cultural tourism.

- There are great possibilities to improve the image, primarily using higer quality and more agressive multimedia promotion abroad.

- Is is necessary to increase the visibility on the Internet and social networks, to improve the supply and increase awareness about heritage values in the local population and authorities.

Results Question: What, in your opinion, do foreigners think of when

they hear the word “Croatia”? Answers: Beauty and richness of natural and cultural heritage- Beautiful coast, preserved nature and Adriatic Sea (50%)- Football and sport (17%)

- Associations related to the Homeland War, the Balkans and the former Yugoslavia (22%):- Balkan, meaning: a bit exotic and backward country that has recently gone through the war, which was visited by many acquaintances who returned surprised and delighted- Only 20% of respondents as the first association mentioned the values of cultural heritage and identity (monuments, Dubrovnik, The Plitvice lakes, Brijuni islands, gastronomy...)

Results

Question: What, in your opinion, do foreigners think of when they hear the word “Istria”?

Answers: - superb gastronomic

experience in the first place (54%): truffles, Istrian prosciutto, olive oil and wine

- Natural beauty, picturesque landscapes, clean sea: Brijuni national park, Cape Kamenjak, central Istria (31%)

- Culture: richness and diversity of cultural heritage, multicultural history, variety of dialects (17%)

Results

Question: What, in your opinion, do foreigners think of when they hear the word “Pula”?

Answers: - First association is the Roman

Amphitheater (70%)- Ancient monuments and festivals

(95%)

- Conclusion: Residents of Pula and Istria perceive the Arena as an iconic symbol of Pula as the city marked by the ancient heritage and revived by a number of festival events

Results

Question: what cultural specifities, values and symbols should Croatia intensively promote and communicate to target markets?

Answers: - A wealth of multinational, world heritage, the unique cultural elements: Glagolitic culture, languages, elements of cultural unity with European cultures, antifascism, modern and creative interpretation of culture...

Croatia was a part of many countries and there are big regional differences, so that each region should promote its specifity

Results

Question: Do concepts of multiculturalism and interculturalism work in Istria and Croatia? What are the possibilities of improving intercultural communicaton?

Answers: - Still insufficient, improvement is possible primarily through the integrated system of education in the European Union

- Istria is the best example of multiculturalism, as well as all the peripheral areas. Croatia is generally very multicultural because of its turbulent history. The best models of coexistence are Pula and Istria, as an example of coexistence between minorities and the commitment for the preservation of everyone’s cultural identity

- Multiculturalism has come to life in all parts of Istria: we have bilingualism in the public use, the minority communities that have maintained their cultural identity and present themselves through cultural manifestations and institutions. Specifically in Labin we have Bosniak community, Italian community, a community of Slovenes...

Reflecting the alternatives opposed to the prevailing national concept?

Positive examples of coexistence and fostering cultural diversity in Istria: Pula and Rovinj, Galižana, Vodnjan, Šišan and Peroj.

Some of respondents pointed to the lack of tolerance and prejudices against minorities and different cultures, divison on the basis of religious and cultural differences, and negative consequences of the recent war.

They also indicate the need for reflection of an alternative opposed to the prevailing national concept: by insisting on the concepts of collective identity (cultural, national) and collective rights, individual civil rights of everyone to the uniqueness and diversity, regardless of belonging to any collectivity could be marginalized.

New forms of local and regional, transnational and cosmopolitan identity Conclusion: situation is by far the best in Istria, where there is coexistence of

different cultures and religions, as well as the opportunity to attend courses and schools in various languages; there are communities of different nations, concrete example is the system of Italian kindergarten, elementary and high schools in Istria.

Results Question: Are you for or against the

Croatia’s accession to the European Union?

Answers:- For: 54%- Against: 33%- Undecided: 13%

For

Against

Undecided

Although some respondents are skeptical because of the current crisis, most of them believe that the accession to EU will improve their living conditions.For: - Because I believe it will improve the quality of life and bring the European values-It will open more opportunities for all, especially for young people, working and studying abroad- Because of possibility of financing from EU funds- Tourism would be more successful, education, health care and infrastructure will be improved.

Results: Cultural identity and globalization

Question: Does globalization present an opportunity or a threat to our cultural identity?

Approximatelly half of respondents perceived globalization as a threat to the identity of small countries, while others believe that it can be used to promote their own identity.

Answers:

- Globalization standardizes values and imposes foreign cultural models. On the other hand, it has advantages, because it allows more intensive communication, networking and access to information.

- As a small country in a globalized world we can not remain isolated and

stand alone.

- Globalization could have positive effects on the promotion of cultural identity, as evidenced by contemporary trends, which appreciate originality, authenticity and uniqueness. This is our chance.

Results

Question: How could Istria and Croatia best protect, valorise and promote their cultural identity in a globalized world?

Answers: it is necessary to make an equal effort in:- High quality promotion (34%)- Education and information about the identity and heritage values (32%)- Protection and valorisation of cultural heritage (31%)- International cooperation and projects (3%)- First we need to be well informed about the values of our own culture

(and recpect others’). Then we have to present, protect and valorise them in the right way in museums and on the Internet... by networking in the international projects, reflect our own culture in a contemporary way...

- If more than a thousand years we have been able to cope with various attemps of assimilation, in much worse conditions, I believe that we could respect the others’ but always love and protect our own culture.

Thank you for your attention!