Croats in Chile - Some features of contemporary ethnic/national identity

The objective of the empirical research conducted was to answer the following questions: To what extent is Croatian ethnic identity expressed? In which way is Croatian identity expressed? Which factors Influence the loss or subsistence of Croatian ethnic identity? Is there a connection between some sociodemographic characteristics of Croatian immigrants in Chile today and the expression of their identify? Based on the results obtained it is concluded that in a small number of cases there is a statistically significant difference in the answers according to the examinees' age, gender, education and other independent variables. In several cases a difference indicated among examinees with regard to age, for example among examinees of the younger and older generations, especially regarding language, visits to Croatia and return to Croatia. It has been determined that Croatian ethnic identity is quite well preserved among the examinees. Namely, 58.8% of the examinees said that they always felt like Croats, 65% of the examinees are members of associations of Croatian immigrants, and 42.2% of them regularly communicate with relatives in Croatia. It is mostly the oldest generations who nurture and maintain Croatian customs, while Croatian ethnic identity is recognisable in all associations of Croatian immigrants. The examinees think that support should be given to younger people for greater participation in associations of Croatian immigrants as well as for learning the Croatian language. They see the key to success n establishing cultural and scientific cooperation between Chile and Croatia.