Grubišić on Emigration: I Worked in a Nylon Factory, and Then Decided to Get a Doctorate

From a refugee camp and working in a Swiss nylon factory to attaining the status of professor emeritus at Canada's University of Waterloo—Vinko Grubišić's life path has been marked by perseverance, education, and a dedication to the Croatian language. The prominent Croatian poet, linguist, and author of the book Migrantska pisma ("Migrant Letters") spoke on HRT's show Globalna Hrvatska ("Global Croatia") about unknown details from the lives of Croatian intellectuals in emigration, the attempt to establish a Croatian language academy in Rome, and the fight to introduce the Croatian language into Canadian schools and universities.

He also reflected on today's declining interest in studying languages, revealing that it was precisely the experience of a monotonous factory job that proved decisive in his decision to continue his education and earn a doctorate.

"Migrantska pisma" Reveals an Unknown Side of Croatian Emigration

Vinko Grubišić's book Migrantska pisma brings together the correspondence of Croatian writers, linguists, and intellectuals who operated in various countries, often thousands of kilometers away from one another.

Among them are economist Juraj Petričević, who was also interested in the Croatian language, Ante Kadić, Bogdan Radica, Branko Franulić, and Josip Matešić. Franulić spent part of his life in France and England, while Matešić lived in Germany.

Grubišić explained that he decided to publish the letters alongside short overviews of their authors, their works, and their life paths so that the Croatian public could better get to know their work. Even though they lived far apart from one another, Croatian intellectuals in emigration maintained regular contact, exchanged books and publications, and shared their experiences with one another.

"We never had a single book launch, but we exchanged books and mutually exchanged publications because we lived thousands of kilometers apart. However, we were always in contact. Since I was young and green at the time, I also received advice from them," Grubišić recalled.

It was precisely these letters, as he explained, that served as an incentive for him to bring the work of people who continued to nurture Croatian literature, culture, and language outside their homeland closer to the Croatian public.

An Unknown Attempt to Found a Croatian Language Academy in Rome

One of the particularly interesting details featured in the book relates to an attempt to establish a language academy in Rome.

"It is a very little-known fact that Father Lucijan Kordić and Father Dionizije Lasić attempted to found a language academy in Rome," Grubišić revealed.

He pointed out that the letters contain a series of similar details about the activities of Croatian intellectuals outside their homeland that are less known to the general public.

How the Croatian Language Fought for Its Place in Canadian Schools

As early as 1976, the Croatian language was introduced into the high school curriculum in the Canadian province of Ontario, and in 1988, the first and only independent chair for Croatian language and culture on the North American continent was established at the University of Waterloo.

Grubišić arrived in Canada at the end of 1975 and soon joined a group of professors of Croatian descent who were working to introduce the Croatian language into secondary schools.

Their main argument was that Croatian immigrants, as Canadian taxpayers, had the exact same right to have their children educated in their native language as members of other communities.

"People who pay taxes in Canada have the right to have their children learn Croatian, just as taxpayers of Portuguese descent can have the Portuguese language, Spaniards Spanish, Ukrainians Ukrainian, Germans German, and so on," he explained.

The first results came very quickly. Already during the 1976 summer school, two Croatian language classes were organized, and the lessons subsequently continued throughout the school years in multiple schools across Toronto and Ontario.

From High School Classrooms to the University of Waterloo

Following the introduction of the Croatian language into secondary schools, the next goal was to secure its place at the university level. Grubišić recalled how in 1988, a group of Croatian businessmen led by Anton Kikaš and Gojko Šušak worked on establishing a chair for the Croatian language at one of the Canadian universities.

The choice fell on the University of Waterloo, which was famous at the time for innovation, especially in the field of computer science.

"We started in 1988 with Croatian language lectures. First, there was one course—a beginner's, first-year course. And then, during that same year, we had to prepare the programs for the following years," he recalled.

The program gradually expanded to multiple levels of Croatian language learning and courses in Croatian culture. Students were thus able to attend approximately ten courses related to the Croatian language and culture.

An important goal was also the education of future teachers who could teach the Croatian language in Canadian high schools, for which they had to possess the appropriate Canadian teaching qualifications.

"Today, There Is a Crisis in Studying Languages Everywhere"

Speaking about today's interest in the Croatian language abroad, Grubišić warned of significantly different circumstances compared to the period when the Croatian university programs were established. He also recalled his work at Australia's Macquarie University, where he collaborated with Professor Luka Budak and the late Gracijan Biršić.

According to him, during the late 1980s, there was great enthusiasm in Australia and Canada for learning Croatian, as well as other languages. Today, the situation is different.

"Even today, there is a crisis in studying languages everywhere. Quite simply, interest has waned. The enthusiasm that used to exist is no longer there," he said.

As an illustration, he cited a conversation with a French language professor who told him, perhaps with some exaggeration, that there were more professors than students in their department.

Grubišić believes that technological advancement is one possible reason for the decreased interest in formal language studies. Today, students have the opportunity to study independently, listen to dialogues, and track their own progress with the help of technology.

Nevertheless, he emphasized that the reasons for the drop in interest have not yet been sufficiently researched.

"It Is Best to Study a Language at a University, in a Classroom"

Despite numerous technological possibilities, Grubišić believes that direct contact with professors and other students remains irreplaceable.

"I believe that it is best to study a language at a university, on campus. It is best to listen to other students in a classroom, listen to the professor's pronunciation, and participate in exercises. That is by far the best way," he pointed out.

He also sees a problem in the shifting interests of younger generations, who now have numerous other obligations and opportunities.

As an example, he mentioned his own grandchildren who, when they come to Croatia and meet their peers, mostly speak with them in English.

"That is the problem—that there isn't as much interest as there used to be. Not just for Croatian, but in general. They tell me the same thing goes for German, and the same thing goes for French," he explained.

He added that systematic language study has lost some of the importance it held thirty or forty years ago.

From a Refugee Camp to a Doctorate: Where Could You Go Without Money?

In the final part of the interview, Grubišić recalled his own beginnings as an emigrant. After receiving political asylum in a refugee camp, the opportunity to go to various European countries opened up to him. However, freedom of choice did not equal financial security.

"Of course, where could you go without money, without resources," he recalled.

Thanks to the help of Father Lucijan Kordić, he received a scholarship that allowed him to go study in Fribourg, Switzerland.

The scholarship was temporary and served to help students until they found a job, after which the funds would become available to others who needed such support.

After finishing his first semester, Grubišić had to find a way to finance the continuation of his education.

A Job in a Nylon Factory Changed His Life

During his time in Switzerland, Grubišić worked in a nylon factory, where he stacked boxes. Although the job was not particularly demanding physically, its monotony left a strong impression on him.

"It was a terrible job. It wasn't hard, but it drives you crazy," he described.

It was precisely then that he made the decision that would determine his future life path.

"Instead of doing this for the rest of my life, I must finish my studies. And I have to go all the way to a doctorate," he recalled of his thoughts at the time.

After that, he found a job at a Swiss college, where he worked part-time and simultaneously continued studying until he earned his doctorate.

"So I worked part-time and studied. And it could be balanced; it wasn't exactly impossible," he stated.

When asked if the experience of an unpleasant job was exactly what motivated him to dedicate himself to an academic career, Grubišić answered affirmatively.

"That is the best motivation, I think. When you do something, and truly, the work isn't hard. But a person asks themselves: is there something else? Is there something more interesting? Is there something I am more called to do? That's it," Vinko Grubišić concluded on HRT's show Globalna Hrvatska.

Source: Voice of Croatia

Translated by Branko Lozančić