I just came across your site by googling Istria and am very impressed that there are so many Istrians out there all over the world passionate about their heritage.

I migrated from Rijeka to Melbourne Australia in 1968 (at the age of 10) with my family and I have fond memories of my school holidays in Istria (Buzet) village (Puhi). All our relatives are still in Istria and I have visited them only twice since living in Australia.

My father told me so many stories of his childhood days and his days in the army during World War 2. It is such a shame that wars can make so many people leave their place of birth, their culture , its people and and take their memories to a new country .

The Istrian language is such a beautiful language , gentle like its people . I am so fortunate to have experienced my time in Istria as a child with my Grandparents who lived through the Austro-Hungarian times, then Italy and then Yugoslavia. My parents lived through Italian times and then after the war through Yugoslav times (now Croatia). Yes the languages are a very interesting combination indeed.

My relatives in Istria still speak Istrian and sometimes Italian and I am very proud that they are continuing the beautiful language so that their children will carry it on.

For anyone interested in having a beautiful holiday , I highly recommend Istria as a destiantion. The wine, the food , the beautiful people , you won't find that anywhere else in the world.


Vanda