I have long noticed that only Italians know how to use the upper square in Motovun (“How to Use the Square,” October 26, 2008). They spread across the whole square while all the others stick to one of its sides or only pass through it. I just witnessed the same thing once again. A busload of Italian youngsters of about eighteen visited the hilltown late this afternoon. They must be celebrating the end of their highschool years. Although I found them a bit too loud for my taste, I was delighted to see them take over the upper square. As soon as they reached it, they started dancing with each other. “Montona, Montona, Montona…,” they chanted in unison as they twirled around. I could not suppress a smile at their shenanigans. And then one of the young men pulled a frisbee out of his knapsack. Both young men and women spread across the entire square in a jiffy. Yelling and laughing, they were marvelous to behold at their game. The square was theirs. Indeed, squares like the one on top of the Motovun hill are a part and parcel of Italian culture. Few other nations can boast of anything similar. Although Slavs have lived in the squares abandoned by Italians in Istria and Dalmatia for a few generations, they are not yet at home in them. It takes but a busload of Italians to figure out what the squares are actually for.