An agreement that is probably unique in Croatia between the Association of Italians of Pula and Istria – Free Municipality of Pula in Exile and the Funeral Services Company of Pula will allow the saving of 16 historic tombs in the City Cemetery: a precious piece of the mosaic of the city's historical identity, of which the Italian component is an essential part, will thus be kept alive.

It took a year and a half of work to find the right legal and administrative formula to make the agreement compliant with the laws and rules on cemeteries management. It was signed by Graziella Cazzaniga Palermo, president of the Association of Italians of Pula and Istria – Free Municipality of Pula in Exile, and Darko Bijelić, director of the municipal funeral company. In practice, the exiles take on the burden of paying the cemetery tax of 20 euros per year per grave and also carrying out maintenance and repairs. For his part, Darko Bijelić said he was pleased to have found a solution to the problem of the deficient legislation on cemeteries, which does not consider the intangible value of abandoned graves, allowing their reuse after ten years from the payment of the last tax.

The Italian deputy mayor of Pula, Bruno Cergnul, gave his valuable contribution to reaching the agreement, which hopefully will have a follow-up, given that there are hundreds of historical tombs of Italian families. Surely 16 historical tombs saved is not a large number, but it is hoped that the model of collaboration will have a follow-up with the entry into the field of other associations and possible descendants.

In any case, the first step has been taken and the agreement in question will be forwarded for information to the Consulate General of Italy in Rijeka, which will evaluate its applicability to the cemeteries of the capital city of Kvarner.

Valmer Cusma
Source: Radio Capodistria – 04/11/2023