Migrant Belongings: Memory, Space, Identity

226 Pages·2000·21.538 MB·English

by  Anne-Marie Fortier

Migrant Belongings

Migrant Belongings
Memory, Space, Identity
Anne-Marie Fortier
Oxford • New York
First published 2000 by Berg Publishers
Published 2020 by Routledge
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Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an in forma business
© Anne-Marie Fortier 2000
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form
or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
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permission in writing from the publishers.
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Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only
for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 13: 978-1-859-73405-6 (hbk)
Typeset by JS Typesetting, Wellingborough, Northants.
Contents
Tables, map and plates vii
Acknowledgements lX
Introduction: Performative Belongings
1 Situating the Italian Project ofVisibility 15
Part I Histories and Identity Politics
2 Imagining a Community: Migration, Settlement, Sacrifice and the
Trope Kinship 37
3 The Politics of 'Italians Abroad': Nation, Diaspora and New
Geographies of identity 69
Part II Spaces, Memories, and Displays of Identity
4 Space, Place and Icons: creating 'habitual spaces' 105
5 Re-membering places and the performance ofbelonging 133
Conclusion: Memory, Location and the Body Motions of Duration 157
Appendix I: Methodological Considerations 177
Appendix 2: Italian-born Population in Britain 1861-1991 181
Appendix 3: Italian-born Population in London, 1991 183
Appendix 4: Italian Associations and Committees named in the Book 185
Appendix 5: Vote in Italian Senate on New Election Bill, 1993 187
Bibliography 189
Index 205
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Tables, Maps and Plates
Tables
Italian-born population in Britain 1861-1991 181
2 Vote in Italian Senate on new election bill, 1993 187
Maps
Map 1 Italian-born population in London, 1991 183
Plates
I Chiesa del Redentore (interior)
2 St Peter's church (interior)
3 Fresco and altar in the Chiesa del Redentore
4 Annual procession: the crowd and the fair
5 Annual procession: the Madonna is carried out of the church
6 Annual procession: first communicants
7 First communicant and Madonna
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Acknowledgements
This book was produced in three stages and in three places. First, as a doctoral
dissertation in sociology at Goldsmiths' College in London (England). Second,
the dissertation was revised for publication during a postdoctoral researchship at
the Centre for Research on Citizenship and Social Transformation, Concordia
University, Montreal. And third, the last touches were completed at Lancaster
University, England. Words fail to express my gratitude to all ofthose who, through
the years, and the stages, have helped me sustain the energy to fulfil this project.
My greatest debt goes to Paul Gilroy who has guided me with immense respect,
patience and sensitivity in the completion of the first stage. I appreciate the trust
he put in my work, which was a vital lifeline during those moments when I lost
faith in - and track ofl - my project. His vision, creativity and encyclopaedic
knowledge never ceased to inspire me and to challenge me, and I will always
value his example.
This project is also the result ofthe 'field world' that surfaced from my contacts
with many London Italians, especially the leaders and members ofSt Peter's Italian
church and the Centro Scalabrini, but also others. Without their time and support,
this book would never have come about. Warm thanks to Janet Fionda and her
late husband Eddy, and to Elisa and Ray Fitzgerald, for providing me with an
occasional 'family home' from home. Special thanks to Roberta Mutti, Padre
Gaetano Parolin, and Padre Giandomenico Ziliotto, all ofwhom greeted my project
with enthusiasm and have been most supportive throughout. I also wish to thank
Padre Giuseppe Blanda, Bruno Besagni, Olive Besagni, Wolfgango Bucci, Alberto
Cavalli, Bruno Cervi, Terri Colpi, Padre Carmelo di Giovanni, Remo Finaldi,
Francesco Giacon, Giuseppe Giacon, Joanna Giacon, Vittorio Heisse!, Lorenzo
Losi, Padre Natalino Mignolli, Lucio Sponza, and Arturo Tosi.
Kate Nash and David Leahy have generously read early drafts of this book,
which I discussed with each of them for hours on end. I am immensely grateful
for their rigorous and constructive comments that improved the final product
beyond measure. David Leahy deserves special thanks for his sustained and
invaluable thoroughness, interest, and enthusiasm even after reading numerous
versions of the same chapters. I shall truly miss our early morning gab sessions at
Java U, in Montreal, which would at times extend well into the late morning. I
shall also miss the incomparable bol de cqfe-au-lait and muffins but, most impor-
tant, the irreplaceable ambience of the place, which became a regular daytime
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