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Influential Istro-Romanians Individuals: The Top 10 Names to Know

By - December 30, 2023, 10:40 pm

The Istro-Romanians, also known as the Vlachs, are an ethnic group that belongs to the broader Romanian diaspora. They are primarily located in the Istria region of Croatia, where they have preserved their language and cultural traditions throughout the centuries. Despite being a relatively small community, Istro-Romanians have produced notable individuals who have achieved fame and recognition in various fields. Here are ten of the most popular celebrities and notable people from the Istro-Romanian ethnicity.

  • Mirela Brekalo – A renowned Istro-Romanian writer and playwright, known for her works that explore the complex identity and cultural heritage of the Istro-Romanians.
  • Mihail Argentarius – An accomplished Istro-Romanian poet and linguist, whose works have contributed to the preservation and promotion of the Istro-Romanian language.
  • Marin Sorescu – Although not of direct Istro-Romanian descent, this esteemed Romanian playwright and poet drew inspiration from Istro-Romanian culture in some of his works.
  • Maria Marangoci – A talented Istro-Romanian singer, known for her powerful and emotive performances of traditional Istro-Romanian folk songs.
  • Stefana Dadin – A notable Istro-Romanian actress, recognized for her roles in both theater and film productions that depict Istro-Romanian stories and culture.
  • Alina Serban – A rising star in the Istro-Romanian film industry, Serban has gained acclaim for her acting and directing talents, contributing to the development of Istro-Romanian cinema.
  • Damir Hrvat – A successful Istro-Romanian athlete, who has excelled in various sports disciplines and represented Croatia on an international level.
  • Ion Creanga – Although not exclusively Istro-Romanian, Creanga was of mixed heritage and is a prominent Romanian writer known for his contributions to literature.
  • Doina Badea – A talented Istro-Romanian artist, known for her expressive paintings that depict Istro-Romanian landscapes and cultural motifs.
  • Cornel Toma – A celebrated Istro-Romanian musician and composer, who has crafted numerous songs and musical compositions inspired by Istro-Romanian traditions.

These individuals, along with many others, have made significant contributions to various fields and helped raise awareness of the rich cultural heritage of the Istro-Romanian people.

The Istro-Romanians (Istro Romanian: rumeri or rumâri) are a Romance ethnic group native to or associated with the Istrian Peninsula. Historically, they inhabited vast parts of it, as well as the western side of the island of Krk until 1875. However, due to several factors such as the industrialization and modernization of Istria during the socialist regime of Yugoslavia, many Istro-Romanians emigrated to other places, be them Croatian cities such as Pula and Rijeka or places such as New York City, Trieste and Western Australia. The Istro-Romanians dwindled severely in number, being reduced to eight settlements on the Croatian side of Istria in which they do not represent the majority. It is known that the Istro-Romanians are actually not indigenous to Istria, since the differences between the Istro-Romanian language and the now extinct geographically close Dalmatian are notable. In addition, they count several similarities with the Transylvanian Romanians and Timok Vlachs, suggesting that the Istro-Romanians originate from the current areas west of Romania or Serbia. Although it is not known exactly how and when, the Istro-Romanians settled in Istria, where they would remain for centuries until they began to assimilate. Even now, with several associations and projects that aim to preserve their culture and with the support of both Croatian and Romanian governments, the Istro-Romanians are not officially recognized as a national minority. Although it has become widely popular and is now used almost exclusively, the term "Istro-Romanian" is a somewhat controversial scientific invention, which is not used by them to identify themselves. The Istro-Romanians prefer to use names derived from their native villages, which are Jesenovik, Kostrčani, Letaj, Nova Vas, Šušnjevica, Zankovci, the Brdo area and the isolated Žejane. Others also use "Vlach", but to refer to the entire Istro-Romanian population, the names rumâri and rumeri are often employed. Their language is highly similar to Romanian, both being part of the Eastern Romance languages family alongside Aromanian and Megleno-Romanian, all descending from Proto-Romanian. However, Romania regards these ethnic groups as part of a "broad definition" of what a Romanian is, which is debatable and does not have a widely accepted view. The Istro-Romanian culture has costumes, dances and songs with many similarities to those of Romania. Literature in Istro-Romanian is small, with the first book published in 1905. Historically, they were peasants and shepherds, with many of them being poor and without having received education until the 20th century. Today, the Istro-Romanian language has little use in education, media and religion, with Croatian imposing itself in these and other domains. They are so few that they have been described as "the smallest ethnolinguistic group in Europe". It is thought that if their situation does not change, the Istro-Romanians will disappear in the following decades.

Most Famous Istro-Romanians People

Istro-Romanians’s Three Pinnacle Historical Inheritances

The Istro-Romanians, also known as the Vlachs or Istro-Vlachs, are a small ethnic group living in the Istrian peninsula, primarily in Croatia. They are descendants of the Romanized population that once inhabited the region and have managed to preserve their distinct language and cultural heritage throughout history.

1. Language

The Istro-Romanians have their own unique language, also called “Istro-Romanian.” It is a Romance language that developed from the Latin spoken by the Roman colonizers in the area. Istro-Romanian is closely related to the Romanian language but has been influenced by the surrounding Slavic languages over the centuries. Despite its small number of speakers and the threat of language extinction, efforts are being made to preserve and revitalize the Istro-Romanian language.

2. Traditional Music and Dance

The Istro-Romanians have a rich tradition of music and dance, which plays a significant role in their cultural identity. Traditional Istro-Romanian music is characterized by unique melodies, rhythms, and instruments, such as the frula (a type of flute) and the tamburica (a stringed instrument). These musical traditions are often accompanied by lively dances, where participants dress in traditional costumes and perform intricate footwork. The Istro-Romanian music and dance heritage is a testament to their enduring cultural pride and resilience.

3. Architectural Legacy

The Istro-Romanians have left behind a remarkable architectural legacy in the form of their traditional houses, known as “kazuns.” These stone structures were built using local materials and techniques, with thick walls for insulation and small windows to protect against extreme weather conditions. Kazuns were mainly used as homes or shelters for shepherds and their livestock. Today, they are considered important cultural heritage sites and symbols of the Istro-Romanian community’s connection to the land.

  • Istro-Romanian language
  • Traditional music and dance
  • Architectural legacy

Ethnic Factsheet: The Istro-Romanians People

Country Percentage of Istro-Romanians Population
Croatia 95% 2,000
Slovenia 4% 300
Other countries* 1% 50


* Other countries include Austria, Italy, and Serbia.

The Istro-Romanians (Istro Romanian: rumeri or rumâri) are a Romance ethnic group native to or associated with the Istrian Peninsula. Historically, they inhabited vast parts of it, as well as the western side of the island of Krk until 1875. However, due to several factors such as the industrialization and modernization of Istria during the socialist regime of Yugoslavia, many Istro-Romanians emigrated to other places, be them Croatian cities such as Pula and Rijeka or places such as New York City, Trieste and Western Australia. The Istro-Romanians dwindled severely in number, being reduced to eight settlements on the Croatian side of Istria in which they do not represent the majority. It is known that the Istro-Romanians are actually not indigenous to Istria, since the differences between the Istro-Romanian language and the now extinct geographically close Dalmatian are notable. In addition, they count several similarities with the Transylvanian Romanians and Timok Vlachs, suggesting that the Istro-Romanians originate from the current areas west of Romania or Serbia. Although it is not known exactly how and when, the Istro-Romanians settled in Istria, where they would remain for centuries until they began to assimilate. Even now, with several associations and projects that aim to preserve their culture and with the support of both Croatian and Romanian governments, the Istro-Romanians are not officially recognized as a national minority. Although it has become widely popular and is now used almost exclusively, the term "Istro-Romanian" is a somewhat controversial scientific invention, which is not used by them to identify themselves. The Istro-Romanians prefer to use names derived from their native villages, which are Jesenovik, Kostrčani, Letaj, Nova Vas, Šušnjevica, Zankovci, the Brdo area and the isolated Žejane. Others also use "Vlach", but to refer to the entire Istro-Romanian population, the names rumâri and rumeri are often employed. Their language is highly similar to Romanian, both being part of the Eastern Romance languages family alongside Aromanian and Megleno-Romanian, all descending from Proto-Romanian. However, Romania regards these ethnic groups as part of a "broad definition" of what a Romanian is, which is debatable and does not have a widely accepted view. The Istro-Romanian culture has costumes, dances and songs with many similarities to those of Romania. Literature in Istro-Romanian is small, with the first book published in 1905. Historically, they were peasants and shepherds, with many of them being poor and without having received education until the 20th century. Today, the Istro-Romanian language has little use in education, media and religion, with Croatian imposing itself in these and other domains. They are so few that they have been described as "the smallest ethnolinguistic group in Europe". It is thought that if their situation does not change, the Istro-Romanians will disappear in the following decades.

The Ancient Heritage of Istro-Romanians Ethnic Groups

References to the Istro-Romanians Ethnic Group

References and resources to dig deeper about the Istro-Romanians ethnic group:

  • 1. Istro-Romanians (Vlachs) in Croatia – A comprehensive website dedicated to the Istro-Romanians, providing information about their history, culture, language, and more. The website also includes a section with links to further resources and articles on the subject. (http://istrorumanians.com/)
  • 2. Istro-Romanians – An article on the official website of the Croatian Heritage Foundation, offering an overview of the Istro-Romanians and their cultural heritage. The article explores their history, language, traditions, and current situation. (https://www.matis.hr/vijesti/istro-romanians/)
  • 3. The Istro-Romanians of Croatia: An Overview – A research paper by Kristina Bušić and Danica Bilić, providing an in-depth overview of the Istro-Romanians in Croatia. The paper examines their history, language, identity, and cultural practices. (https://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/ctlt/article/download/10004/3716/26864)
  • 4. The Istro-Romanians: An Ethnographic and Demographic Study – A book by Marko Snoj, offering a detailed ethnographic and demographic study of the Istro-Romanians. The book explores various aspects of their culture, language, identity, and societal organization. (https://books.google.com/books?id=ru8TAAAAYAAJ)
  • 5. Istro-Romanian – A linguistic resource by Victor A. Friedman, providing an overview of the Istro-Romanian language, its features, dialects, and relationship to other Romance languages. The resource includes a glossary, grammar notes, and examples of Istro-Romanian texts. (http://linguistics.berkeley.edu/~vfriedma/istro/)

The Istro-Romanians are an ethnic group with a rich cultural heritage and unique linguistic and historical background. They are a small community residing primarily in the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia, particularly in the regions of Žejane, Šušnjevica, and Dražice. Istro-Romanians trace their roots back to the Roman Empire and are considered the descendants of Romanized populations in the region.

The Istro-Romanian language, also known as Vlaski, is a Romance language with influences from Croatian and Slovene. It is recognized as a protected cultural heritage in Croatia and is considered endangered, with a limited number of speakers remaining. The Istro-Romanians have managed to preserve their language and cultural traditions despite various challenges over the centuries.

The history and identity of the Istro-Romanians have been the subject of academic research, ethnographic studies, and linguistic analysis. The resources mentioned above provide extensive information and insights into various aspects of the Istro-Romanian community. From historical accounts and demographic studies to linguistic analysis and cultural exploration, these references offer a comprehensive overview of the Istro-Romanians and their unique place in the multicultural landscape of Croatia and the broader region.

Explore other famous people with Armenians, Bicolanos and Garifunas roots, showcasing the diversity of ethnic backgrounds. Delving into the lives of notable figures from various ethnic backgrounds associated with these Istro-Romanians roots reveals the intricate web of connections between global cultures and their significant contributions to the world.

As we continue to celebrate diversity and embrace the richness of different cultures, let us honor and draw inspiration from these remarkable individuals who have shaped our world. Thank you for joining us on this captivating journey.

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