Review article
https://doi.org/10.11567/met.29.3.4
Influence of Depopulation on Cultural Heritage of Croatian Islands
Josip Faričić
orcid.org/0000-0002-8235-1917
; Department of Geography, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Lena Mirošević
orcid.org/0000-0002-8016-9783
; Department of Geography, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Vera Graovac Matassi
orcid.org/0000-0002-9020-3439
; Department of Geography, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Abstract
The paper discusses the influence of depopulation on cultural heritage of Croatian islands. Comprehensive analysis of relevant statistical data and the existing litera¬ture, along with archival and field researches indicate that depopulation is the most important demographic process on most of the Croatian Islands. As the number of insular population decreases, the insular identity gradually disappears, along with different elements of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Since the number of young population on the islands is decreasing (and young population is the foun¬dation of biological vitality and economic sustainability) and that cohort is largely affected by tertiarization of economy and modernization of the entire life, there are fewer possibilities for intergenerational transfer of traditional insular culture. This particularly refers to intangible cultural heritage, such as language (rich vocabulary, including a large number of toponyms), music (Glagolitic folk singing, etc.), skills (related to making fishing and agricultural tools, etc.), customs, etc. However, it is important to note that in modern valorization of insular space, particularly through tourist activities, certain elements of cultural heritage are mostly perceived as cul¬tural fossils deserving special interest, although precisely this cultural tourism can contribute to the presentation and protection as well to optimal economic use of the island cultural heritage.
Keywords
Croatian islands; population; depopulation; cultural heritage
Hrčak ID:
117935
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2013.
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