It has taken me a long time to realize that my parents’ families fled from Istria and Istrian islands not only from fascism; they also fled from the fate of all those who remained behind: acculturation and ultimately collaboration with the repressive regime. After the almost enlightened Austro-Hungarian rule, that lasted for many generations following the collapse of the Venetian rule, there came the repressive Italian rule from 1918 to 1943. And from 1922 it was the fascists who ruled, often by crudest methods. Following a brief but brutal German interregnum from 1943 to 1945, there came the Yugoslav rule from 1945 to 1991. The communists quickly adjusted to what they had found in Istria, and fascist repression continued almost unchanged under a new banner. The Croatian rule from 1991 followed the same pattern, which persists to this day. If you behave as those in power demand, you will be rewarded, or at least not punished for all your wrongdoings; if you do not, you and your family will be punished over and over again, until you adjust to the demands of those in power. In the meanwhile, shut up for your own good. It has been thus for almost eighty years or three whole generations. And Istrians have dutifully accepted their fate. This is what my parents’ families fled from, too.