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AN ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE IRON CURTAIN
body changed the words to Naš Fido, a common name for dogs in Slovenia,
in order to make a joke of the original text and of Tito himself (Anja, 2008,
pers. comm. 3 rd September). This type of expression of views or propaganda
was not only directed outwards but also towards the own population. This
can be seen near the village of Branik, approximately 15 km south-east of
Nova Gorica where the name ‘Tito’ is still very clear on the side of a hill
facing east towards Slovenia (Figure 49).
Figure 49: The name ‘Tito’ written on side of hill near the village of Branik, Slovenia. Photo: Anna
McWilliams 2008.
Resisting the border
Walking along the border north of Gorizia/Nova Gorica the border takes a
turn through the edge of the village of Solkan. I had already spotted this on
maps and Google Earth before my visit but it was also very clear in the
terrain. Rather than following a straight line across the fields and across the
Insonzo/Soča River the border suddenly heads east causing one of the properties
to be separated from the rest of the village. A high concrete wall runs
along the border here and as I walk on the Slovenian side I can barely see
the building behind it. The occasional openings in the wall are closed with
iron rods and on top of the wall an old string of barbed wire is meant to
stop anyone from climbing over. I wonder what has caused this situation
and start asking around. It turns out there is a local story about this place
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