Suvremeni istarski identitet: Besidarenje Francija Blaškovića i njegov doprinos konstrukciji identiteta Istrijana

This text discusses the issue of regional Istrian identity, which has blossomed during the transition from the 20th to the 21st century, thanks primarily to the ruling political circumstances: the independence of the Croatian State and new political party turmoil. Prompted by the policies of the IDS [the Istrian Democratic Party], a regional political party that bases its programme on traditional values, the inhabitants of Istria emphasise the features of their identity at every opportunity, both in the public and private spheres of life. The popularity of the singer-songwriter Franci BlaπkoviÊ has grown parallely with the strengthening of national awareness in Croatia, along with a feeling of regional Istrian affiliation, while his work is contributing to the building up of Istrian identity.