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July 17 - August 21, 2011 |
1 - Looking at the "other Italians"
The diaspora of nearly 60-million paisans stretches acrosss every continent
By Antonio Maglio
Originally Published: 2002-07-14
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Immigrants would pose in a new suit for a photo to send to relatives back in italy
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Italians who live abroad officially number 3,971,652: 2,218,044 in Europe, 350,958 in North America, 1,186,668 in South America, 124,733 in Oceania, 29,916 in North Africa and the Middle East, 49,533 in southern Africa, and 11,800 in Asia.
Of course, our folk in the diaspora are much more numerous, and are estimated at 60-million. But these are the figures shown in consular registries. Therefore, this is the basis for assessing how many voters are interested to the recent law allowing the expression of their vote abroad.
The difference between official and real figures has an explanation: enrolling in consular registries never was a high priority for Italians living out of the national territory. In the past they had no incentive to do so; maybe now they will do precisely in order to vote.
However, this series of reports is not concerned with the vote. Actually, the vote is a backdrop for a long intercontinental trip having other purposes: telling the story of our communities, halfway between history and breaking news; comparing the different brands of multiculturalism in the countries with a large Italian presence; and finding out how much this presence has influenced the development of these countries. By looking for the "other Italians" we shall understand how much of Italy can be found all over the world.
The United Kingdom is our first stop, for two very good reasons: it was the first country to adopt a multicultural social structure, and it was one of the first to open the gates to our people, despite wounds still open. It happened right after World War II, in the late '40s, when British industries damaged or destroyed by wartime bombings had to be rebuilt. In the same period, other European countries received the massive migration from Italy, but it is worth remarking that Italians and British soldiers had fought ferociously, with the hate generated over 20 years, on opposing sides; after the war, many veterans worked side by side, growing together.
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