Ethnic identity of Croats in Switzerland: systematization and analysis of the activities and interactions of Croatian ethnic societies

Ethnic identity of Croats in Switzerland: systematization and analysis of the activities and interactions of Croatian ethnic societies The exploration of ethnic societies in destination countries is an important aspect in study of migrations. Ethnic societies not only shape the activities and identity of migrants, but also affect the integration of the immigrants into the receiving societies. The paper discusses the migration of Croats (Yugoslavs) to Switzerland, and the ethnic identity of Croatian migrants in Switzerland in terms of social organizing (through the activities and interactions of various Croatian ethnic societies) in the period when Croatia was part of Yugoslavia. The paper is an attempt to point to a specific social context and socio-cultural differences of Croatian migrants in relation to different periods and causes of emigration, and thus to different forms and intensity of ethnic organization and impacts of Croatian immigrant societies on the preservation of their ethnic identity as well as on the integration in Swiss society.