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Lecture -Diaspora Serie: Sicilians in the ‘Magic City’ of the South: The Italians of Birmingham, Alabama

October 30 @ 7:00 pm

Lecture -Diaspora Serie: “Multiculturalism and Cultural Identities in the 21st Century” by Professor Matteo Breda

Sicilians in the ‘Magic City’ of the South: The Italians of Birmingham, Alabama

At the end of the 19th century, a small number of Sicilians immigrated from the village of Bisacquino, near Palermo, to settle in the heart of Dixie where the city of Birmingham soon became a booming centre around the production of steel. In their new surroundings, Sicilians thrived, eventually founding the Italian newspaper, “Il Gladiatore.”

This notable paper later became the primary source for the study of the socio-cultural activities, political engagement and devotional aspects of the local Italians’ life in those days. And, through a series of archival and unpublished “Il Gladiatore” documents, this exhibit illustrates the phases that led to the integration and cultural hybridization of the Italian community of Birmingham on the road to its Americanization.

Prof.Matteo Brera presents a Historical look at the socio cultural activities, political engagement and devotional aspect of Italian life in the heart of Dixie -Birmingham, Alabama- at the end of thre 19th century.

Professor Matteo Brera

Matteo Brera is a Postdoctoral Visitor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics at York University, where he coordinates the project An Online Pre-World War II Italian Canadian Newspaper Collection. Generously sponsored by the ‘Zorzi Family Italian-Canadian Studies Archival Fund’, his work aims to create a portal dedicated to the preservation and further study of the ethno-cultural newspapers published in Canada before 1940.

Dr Brera’s research interests include politics, religion and transnational exchanges between Italy and North America (Canada and American South).

  • Organizzato da: Columbus Centre - Villa Charities & Istituto Italiano di Cultura