Istrians in New York celebrate 100 years of their society

(Photo: Mate Kružić)

By Ane Strazicic Rodriguez

With their traditional celebration held annually, Istrians in New York marked the 100th anniversary of their Istrian Seamen Benevolent Society club.

The celebration took place on Saturday, 29 September 2024, at the beautiful Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck, NY. The dinner featured traditional Istrian specialities, while well-known Croatian musicians in New York— the music band “Marko, Eleonora and Zvone” and the Istrian Seamen Accordionists—provided entertainment and ensured a lively atmosphere.

The event was opened by the folklore group from Astoria, “Hrvatska Ruža”, with a traditional performance of the Istrian Balun dance and Istrian songs.

(Photo: Mate Kružić)

President Luciano Dijanić and Vice President Mario Honović welcomed the attendees and thanked them for their great turnout, befitting such a significant celebration of the society’s centenary.

“This 100th-anniversary celebration of our humanitarian Istrian club in New York was, in a word, fantastic,” said the VP of the Istrian Seamen Benevolent Society.

(Photo: Mate Kružić)

The Istrian Seamen Benevolent Society was founded on 24 April 1924 in the premises of Istrians at 823 Greenwich Street in Manhattan.

This is where our old sailors, immigrants from eastern Istria, mostly from the areas of Brdo, Čepić, Šušnjevica, Kožljak, Kršan, and surrounding villages, gathered.

(Photo: Mate Kružić)

Most were single men, some with wives and children back home in Istria. They lived together, usually 5-6 in one place, sometimes as many as ten, in boarding houses on Manhattan’s West Side, arriving with ships and often choosing not to return home.

As they had no steady jobs or worked for cash, they had no insurance. When someone fell ill, problems arose—they had no job, no money. This is why the society was created: to help those in real need. A member who had been ill for two weeks in a row received $10 per week to survive.

(Photo: Mate Kružić)

In case of death, every member was provided with a wreath. If they had no family, the society took care of the grave and funeral arrangements. All members were required to attend the funeral.

The society also organised dances and picnics to raise funds. Each member had to pay $5 annually, whether they attended the events or not.

The general assembly was held once a year, where the leadership was elected. The mandate lasted for two years, but members could be re-elected for additional terms.

(Photo: Mate Kružić)

The first president was Tony Štroligo, followed by many others, including Anton Celić. The current president is Luciano Dijanić, with Mario Honović as vice president, Klaudio Diminić as treasurer, and Nevio Dijanić as secretary.

(Photo: Mate Kružić)

The society currently has about 140 members, mostly elderly retirees. Times have changed—there are fewer young people and even fewer sailors.

The society’s purpose has gradually shifted, as unemployment has decreased and more members now have families, reducing the need for assistance.

(Photo: Mate Kružić)

Today, the society remains active, celebrating its anniversary, organising a picnic, holding the general assembly, a hunters’ dinner, and a joint weekend at Villa Roma. For 29 consecutive years, they previously gathered at Villa Vosilla, and before the pandemic, they would go to Atlantic City or Foxwood Casino.

(Photo: Mate Kružić)

We can only extend our congratulations and thanks to all Istrians for preserving their cultural heritage and passing it on for over 100 years to future generations of Istrians in the beautiful land of America—far from their beloved Istria and homeland of Croatia.