Chapter 9 The Politics of Changing National Identity: Migration Literature in Italy
In: Immigrant and Ethnic-Minority Writers since 1945Search for other papers by Marie Orton in
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Abstract
Migration literature in Italy, like the social and demographic reality from which it originates, is highly contested. What began as a trickle of texts by migrants in the early 1990s became a flood in the following decades. More than 600 authors have published thousands of texts from all genres, branching out into theatre and film. While new writers are continually emerging, some encouraged by associazioni, on-line publications or literary prizes, the writings of 25 to 30 of the published authors are consistently discussed by scholars of migration literature, with half of those authors having been recognised with prestigious literary awards. The critical response within Italy has been divided, with the majority of critics resisting the inclusion of migration literature as part of the literary canon, while greater support has come from critics outside the country.