Italian identity: a family’s journey across borders

A writer reflects on his family’s long history of migration between Italy and England, exploring how Italian identity is shaped by distance and maintained through ritual.

The author’s great-grandfather, Marco, emigrated from Emilia-Romagna to London, helping to run the Italian Hospital, and later interned as an “enemy alien” during World War II. This history of movement and displacement has defined subsequent generations, who strive to connect with their heritage through food, language, and travel.

The author recounts childhood memories of visiting London’s Lina Stores deli and receiving lessons in Italian cuisine from his grandparents, rituals intended to create a sense of belonging despite a fragmented family life. His father actively cultivated an appreciation for Italian art, music, and history, attempting to instill a strong Italian identity in his sons. However, a teenage trip to Florence revealed the difficulties of fitting into a culture that felt both familiar and foreign.

Later, the author discovered more about his great-grandfather’s life, learning he was as tall as family legends claimed and that he continued to travel between England and Italy throughout his life. This pattern of movement mirrors the experiences of millions of Italians who emigrated from the peninsula between the 19th and 20th centuries, creating a vast diaspora.

While these descendants often maintain a strong connection to their heritage, Italy itself faces demographic challenges, including a declining population and emigration of its own citizens. The author finds solace in the enduring presence of his family’s history in London, suggesting that a diasporic existence can be a source of strength and connection.