Original scientific paper
The Burgenland Croats – Community Despite the Border
Mirjana Domini
; Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
With the collapse of Austro-Hungary – which resulted in the formation of new states and borders often at the cost of ethnic communities – the Burgenland Croats were also heavily hit. Divided by state borders, separated by ideological systems, in different ethnic surroundings, they attempted to preserve their national consciousness and identity. Unfortunately, the door is wide open to the process of denationalisation in the name of ideology, to state homogenisation, or to an erroneous view of unity in diversity, while at the same time, the parent nation – itself faced with similar dilemmas – cannot find ground for a well-conceived plan aimed at the protection of its minorities. The intensification of integrative processes in Europe based on the interests of the people who live in it (and not on ideological or geostrategic position), democratization of relations on all levels, communication and dialogue between various subjects in the international community concerning the needs of individuals and collectivities to protection and preservation of their specificities in the context of the protection of human rights – all this enabled more direct and meaningful contacts between the Burgenland Croats in Hungary and their main hinterland (Burgenland Croats in Austria), with their numerous fellow Croats in Hungary, and with their parent people in Croatia. Once more it has been shown to be true that borders and various limitations can easily be crossed only by mother tongues, traditions and consciousness which altogether unite communities of families, settlements and states, and at the same time provide a specific contribution to the world mosaic of cultures and languages. This the author sees as a civilizational achievement.
Keywords
minority; Burgenland Croats; Hungary
Hrčak ID:
127677
URI
Publication date:
30.11.1990.
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