Saturday 8 August, in the "National day of the sacrifice of Italian labor in the world", The second episode of theitCoffee after a first meeting on 18 July. Central topic was theItalian emigration. A virtual appointment on a global scale by the team of italiani.it. There have been several interventions from both Latin America and Europe. Many speakers, from one part of the world to the other, have told about their sense of emigration. Therefore, the confrontation between the bloggers of the international network of italiani.it opened in an interesting exchange of ideas on the subject, concerning Italian emigration in the world. Present at itCaffè Gerardo Ferlaino and Paola Stranges, founders of italiani.it, and Lorenzo Stranges, Director of Foundation italiani.it.
Italian emigration through the eyes of the speakers
The topic on Italian emigration to the world was introduced by Raffaella Christmas which, through the photograph of a suitcase, he explained the meaning he gives to emigration: “For me, memory is a suitcase”. Raffaella said that her father's family had emigrated to Turin, but then managed to return to Calabria. He also recalled the image of his grandmother who wrote long letters to her dear emigrants to Argentina.
Emigration for Cristina Campolonghi of itVenezia
The second intervention was of Cristina Campolonghi of itVenezia. “Emigration has a very marginal aspect in Venice unlike the Veneto which has experienced strong emigration flows. Venice is a microcosm with a good economy and little emigration ”. Cristina explained that, at the beginning of the 1900s, only 41 people had left Venice against the nearly 2 million who had left the Veneto. “Venice was instead a destination for immigration. There was a growing micro-economy ”.
Francesca Chiefari of itBarcelona
Francesca Chiefari, di itBarcelona, informed that more than 300 Italians live in Spain. "It is very easy for Italians to integrate here". You explained that the reasons are often economic.
The high tax burden mainly pushes young people to come to Spain, which provides good incentives for new businesses. “Spain - he added - is very open culturally. Integration is easy compared to many other countries. I have lived in Barcelona for three years now. Here I graduated and I integrated very well both culturally and professionally ".
Mara Diamanti of itLondon
Mara Diamonds di itLondon has a positive experience of emigration. “I come from a city used to welcoming immigrants, therefore my arrival in London was not so traumatic. I have not experienced any cultural shocks.
I have lived here for 10 years and I love it as much as I love Italy. I immediately felt at home. London has similarities with my city. I chose this photo (the Madonna del Carmelo) that makes me feel like I am in my country because even here I found this feast with its procession ”.
South America present: Thamara Desalvo of itMontevideo
Thamara Desalvo from itMontevideo talked about its history. "I chose this photo because for me, emigration represents the return journey. The person who left is not me. My grandfather Michele emigrated to Uruguay in 1900.
He was unable to return to his land. I did it for him and now I'm here in Italy. This photo is a piece of my story. My consideration on emigration is linked to identity: what are we? I am Uruguayan but in reality I am also partly Italian. For emigrants it is a much deeper discourse ”.
From itAsunción, Silvano Malini
Silvano Malini spoke of his experience as an Italian emigrant residing in Latin America. "I miss my country, the lake, the mountains, the Alps. That's what I don't have here ”.
Referring to the Italian emigration to Asunción, Silvano said that there were many who arrived because one of the first presidents of Paraguay was very much in love with Italian architecture. There are, therefore, many historical buildings and monuments made by Italians. This passion has greatly favored Italian immigration. Now everything has changed. the I am moved when I hear the grandchildren of Italian emigrants talking with so much love about Italy. "
Amira Judge of itBuenosAires
Amira Judge of itBuenosaires referred to his own personal experience. “I have not left my country, but I experienced emigration through the stories of my grandfather, who left Italy in the 50s. Emigration for me represents my grandfather's baggage, who came to Argentina with empty pockets but with his baggage full of dreams. Emigration is the sacrifice made by him.
Today we commemorate the Day of the Sacrifice of Italian Labor in the World. The Italians who came to Argentina left their homeland to rebuild a life abroad. I too went back to my grandfather's town and found a place there that I immediately felt like my home. In short, emigration, for me, is my grandfather's life ".
Federica Puglisi of itPalazzoloAcreide
Federica Puglisi, of itPalazzoloAcreide he explained that his view of emigration is somewhat different. “I want to tell the experience of Palazzolo Acreide, a town near Syracuse. A place that has seen many families emigrate abroad.
In this photo you can see the faces of people of different ages who I interviewed during the lockdown and who live abroad. They are guys who have made a family, some got married, but most of all they work outside. I realized how many beautiful heads have left Italy. Their stories make us understand how, living in different and distant countries, they managed to make a new life ".
italiani.it: the network of Italians in the world
Gerardo Ferlaino, founder of italiani.it, he said: “Today I am listening to beautiful, true and genuine stories, which are enriching us all. These are moments in which you grow up. Feeling the differences between the different cities, the experiences, the feelings… it's wonderful. We are all Italians, but each of us with a different experience, but we enrich ourselves humanly with each other. We all have a strong direct or indirect bond with Italy. Everyone wants to tell about themselves. This is the spirit of the italiani.it project! "
Lorenzo Stranges, director of the italiani.it foundation, reported that the issue of emigration affected his entire life. “I am the son of emigrants and my family is scattered around the world. Listening to the interventions of the women of our team, a theme comes to mind: how important was emigration for the emancipation of women in Italy? How important was it for our economy?
How important is it for so many young people who are abroad? I invite all of you to carry out initiatives to sensitize institutions on the issue of emigration. There is another Italy outside Italy that we must not forget. This is what we are doing as a foundation. We have several projects that we hope to be able to carry out ”.
Finally, Paola Stranges, co-founder of italiani.it, said: “It's great to see you again. I thank you because it is all very exciting. Your every word gives us new energy and strength to move forward. We are more and more. You are a great inspiration to me. A hug to everyone you are really very strong! " See you at the next itCaffè.
