With the Rapallo Treaty, difficult times began for Primorje. They tried to destroy the Slovenes living in Primorska politically, economically, and culturally. Slovenian cooperatives and loan companies were dissolved, the Italianization of Slovenian places and personal names began, Slovenian schools and associations were abolished. The official use of Slovene was forbidden, and physical violence also began. Due to the impossible conditions, many Slovenes emigrated mainly to Yugoslavia. The situation forced the Slovenians to organize and start the resistance. The most famous resistance group was TIGR (acronym for Trieste, Istria, Gorica, River), which was founded in 1924.

The life of the people of Primorje at that time is illustrated by the examples of the Pegan family from Trieste and the Bolčina family from Otlica nad Ajdovščino. Polona Lah keeps the rich material of her ancestors—the Pegan family, who lived in the National House in Trieste from 1904 to July 13, 1920. When the fascists set it on fire, they barely escaped from the burning building.

Andrej Bolčina keeps his family’s material, and he himself experienced life under Italy, namely in the period before the Second World War. In 1918, the Italians occupied his native village of Otlica, which became Ottelza, with the church called *chiesa* and the school called *scuola*. Bolčina describes what it was like at school, his encounters with Italian soldiers, and life in Otlica at that time.

This article was created primarily based on the rich family material of Polona Lah and Andrej Bolčina and, of course, on their testimonies. The life of the people of Primorje beyond the Rapallo border is also illustrated by images created during this period by various artists, mainly painters and photographers. Italian propaganda on postcards of the time is also shown.