Forgotten Neighbour

Abstract

For 600 years the Gottschee region was an integral enclave inhabited by the Gottscheers. This history ended tragically during WWII when they left their homes, their homeland and the neighbours with whom they had coexisted peacefully for several centuries. In 1941 Slovenia lost 12,000 of its inhabitants who are now, along with their language, culture, customs and traditions, excluded from our collective memory. Their story is nevertheless important for a better understanding of ourselves. The Gottscheers left their homeland because of the oppression they experienced during the wars but also because of a certain fascination with the powerful rebirth of the country from which they had come centuries previously. They were ready, at that key historic moment, to trust leaders who were (too) young, and though they could inspire, they also lacked wisdom and experience. Their story helps us know ourselves better and gives us a better understanding of the consequences of letting go of our common past, tradition and culture. For the Gottscheers it was fatal, and today they have practically disappeared and barely exist in our memories.