LABINSKA REPUBLIKA 1921: ANTROPOLOŠKO-POVIJESNE BILJEŠKE UZ STOGODIŠNJICU RUDARSKOG ZAUZEĆA UGLJENOKOPA, SAMOORGANIZACIJE I OTPORA
LABIN REPUBLIC 1921: ANTHROPOLOGICAL-HISTORICAL NOTES ON THE CENTENARY OF THE WORKERS OCCUPATION OF THE COAL MINE, SELF-ORGANIZATION AND RESISTANCE

Summary/Abstract: On the occasion of the hundredth anniversary, this paper analyses the political, existential and cultural reasons for the rise of the mining revolt in the southeastern part of Istria named The Republic of Labin, during March and April 1921. Characterized by the occupation of mines and wider territory, the organization of life, defence and production “for themselves and their account” during 36/37 days, and finally the conflict between the Italian authorities and the miners, it was organized after similar processes took place throughout Italy. This period (1919-1920), also known as biennio rosso, the red biennium, throughout the Apennine Peninsula would be intensified in September 1920 by the occupation of industrial plants in light and heavy industry. Despite the similarities and connections between the events on the peninsulas, it is the miners of the Labin region – in the wake of advanced revolutionary ideas about “proletarian republics”, “workers’ self-governments” and “mining councils” – who would insist on several significant dynamics and characteristics during the uprising: non-nationality, cooperation with peasantry and ultimately an armed conflict with the authorities. Also, the paper builds upon an anthropological thesis on the specifics of mining communities that made a significant difference in the articulation of these events in relation to the wider working class.

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