PROJECT TYPE:

Institutional Research Project

PROJECT DURATION:

October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2029

PROJECT LEADER AND ASSOCIATES:
Leader:

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teodora Fonović Cvijanović

Associates:

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marko Ljubešić,
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Violeta Moretti,
• Assist. Prof. Dr. Vanessa Vitković Marčeta, and
• Dr. Samanta Milotić Bančić

BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The project promotes the preservation and understanding of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Istria. Using contemporary scientific approaches, the interdisciplinary team investigates Istria’s linguistic heritage through the collection, processing, digitization, and dissemination of Croatian Glagolitic, Latin, Old Croatian (dialectal), and modern Croatian materials.

The project is organized into six work packages. In the first package, the project leader will coordinate and ensure the implementation of all project phases and facilitate regular exchange of results among researchers. Decisions will be made collectively at working meetings.

Through work packages 2, 3, 4, and 5, researchers will conduct field collection and analysis of linguistic material from the Istrian region, using linguistic and general philological methods. The fifth package includes methodological research on Istrian regional literary and intercultural heritage, adapted to teaching models for application in the educational process.

Work package 6 coordinates the dissemination of results, including the digitization of unprocessed material in collaboration with the University Library of Pula and students of Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, thus creating a web-accessible repository. Dissemination activities include workshops in schools across the Istria County, public lectures aimed at popularizing science in the local community, participation in scientific conferences, the organization of a conference with international participation at the home institution of the project collaborators, and the publication of scientific papers and monographs.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

The main objective of the project is to systematically research, document, and valorize the multilayered linguistic heritage of Istria through the analysis of Croatian Glagolitic, Latin, Old Croatian, and contemporary Croatian materials. The project aims to create a reliable and scientifically grounded corpus that will enable a better understanding of linguistic processes, interferences, and changes in the Istrian region through the centuries.

In addition to primary scientific analysis, the project aims to digitize unprocessed material and develop a web-accessible repository, while procuring the necessary research computer and technical equipment, thereby enhancing research infrastructure (Objective 1.6) and improving study programs (Objective 3.1). This ensures the long-term accessibility and preservation of cultural heritage, supports the popularization of science (Objective 4.6), and contributes to open science (Objective 1.7).

The educational and dissemination component includes workshops in schools, presentations at scientific conferences, and the publication of scientific papers and monographs, thereby bringing research results closer to both professional and wider audiences. In doing so, the project increases the University’s participation in competitive project funding (Objective 1.1), strengthens the interdisciplinarity of scientific work (Objective 1.8), fosters a culture of lifelong learning, equality, and inclusivity (Objective 4.2), and contributes to open science (Objective 1.7).

Through these activities, the project seeks to encourage further research, raise awareness of the importance of linguistic heritage, and contribute to the preservation of the identity and linguistic diversity of Istria.

PROJECT HOLDER: Juraj Dobrila University of Pula