that of our language. Italian is always more a language of culture, as well as just a language of emigration: a means of communication but also standard bearer of our being Italian. For our compatriots abroad, language has and will increasingly play a major role. The generations who left were almost forced to forget it, taken by the need to integrate in their host countries, with few opportunities to practice it if not in the family, where they often spoke the local dialect. Their children were born in their new countries, and understandably did everything to fit there, with the result of often neglecting the language of their origins. The third generation, which is often provided with more economic opportunities for travel and communicate through new technologies, is rediscovering the interest and curiosity for the country of their grandparents, for its origins, and for the Italian language. We have to do all we can to preserve this treasure and make it more shareable, available for learning and beneficial to everybody’s future career andculture.
The curiosity in some way relates to the language, too: not everyone knows that in Crimea lives a small community made up of people - descendants of Puglia - that no longer have Italian citizenship, but have proudly remained devoted to their origins, and continue undeterred to defend the use of Italian language. We try to keep this enthusiasm alive by sending them books, in order not to lose this little cultural heritage that survives thanks to the passion for Italy by this which is just one example of the many Italians who live abroad but are proud and happy to be able to claim and show their Italian roots.
By Umberto Mucci
7