AN INTERVIEW WITH ERNESTO GRANESE
Ernesto Granese, his daughter Laura, and Julie Anne Kench at Brighton Pavillion, March 2002.
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Ernesto Granese is a teacher, journalist and translator. He is the founder of britalians; and the beehappymagazine, the Magazine for Parents and Young People in the South East, as well as editor and director of other periodicals (The Italian; Il Punto; Il Messaggero Italiano di Manchester) aimed at the Italian community.
He has been living in England since 1977, in Brighton since 1984 and now lives in Hailsham, East Sussex. His story is, in many respects, that of many young, second generation Italian immigrants. |
If you wish to know more about me and my life here in the UK and in Italy, please read my new book 'LIGHTS and SHADOWS'.
click here ...
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A (short) INTERVIEW WITH E. GRANESE
by Julie Anne Kench (December 2017)
First of all, congratulations on completing your book. How do you feel about it?
It’s been two years of hard work but a tremendously exciting experience!
What made you write this book?
Basically I wanted my daughter to know more about the history of my family. Also, I wanted to keep alive the memory of some important people in my life
To whom is this book addressed?
To anyone who has an interest in Italian history, and who wants to understand what it was like to live in the UK throughout the '70s, '80s, '90s and up to modern days.
In the intro to your book you tell the story of your great-grandmother making a vow to the Virgin Mary while living in America in 1899. What is that all about?
It’s a long story. In short, had it not been for this episode, I would now be living in the US!
The last part of your book is dedicated to the years you have spent in the UK, from 1977 to date. You seem rather disappointed at the way things turned out. Why is that?
First of all, I would say that Brexit is a definitive turning point. Things will never be the same for us Italians living in the UK.
How did you end up in England?
It was thanks to a wonderful old lady who was our neighbour in Busto Arsizio, Varese, and whose son owned a restaurant at Gatwick. In 1977 he offered me a job in his restaurant, and that’s how it all started.
How did you end up in Lewes?
Because both my then wife and I found work here in the 90s. But then we fell in love with the place, its history and landscape.
What is the difference between the new Italians who have come over more recently and those like you who have been here a lot longer?
There is not much difference, but the world has changed a great deal since I came over in 1977, especially when it comes to technology.
If you had to give a piece of advice to a young Italian man wishing to come and live in post-Brexit UK, as you did in the late ‘70s, what would that be?
Always have a clear plan, and stick to it. Dreaming of a better life is understandable, but won’t get you very far. Life is a struggle, both in Italy and in the UK.
One final question: would you go back to Italy?
My answer to your question may surprise you, but yes, I would. But after 40 years of living in the UK I would probably feel lost!
Interviewed by J.A. Kench
by Julie Anne Kench (December 2017)
First of all, congratulations on completing your book. How do you feel about it?
It’s been two years of hard work but a tremendously exciting experience!
What made you write this book?
Basically I wanted my daughter to know more about the history of my family. Also, I wanted to keep alive the memory of some important people in my life
To whom is this book addressed?
To anyone who has an interest in Italian history, and who wants to understand what it was like to live in the UK throughout the '70s, '80s, '90s and up to modern days.
In the intro to your book you tell the story of your great-grandmother making a vow to the Virgin Mary while living in America in 1899. What is that all about?
It’s a long story. In short, had it not been for this episode, I would now be living in the US!
The last part of your book is dedicated to the years you have spent in the UK, from 1977 to date. You seem rather disappointed at the way things turned out. Why is that?
First of all, I would say that Brexit is a definitive turning point. Things will never be the same for us Italians living in the UK.
How did you end up in England?
It was thanks to a wonderful old lady who was our neighbour in Busto Arsizio, Varese, and whose son owned a restaurant at Gatwick. In 1977 he offered me a job in his restaurant, and that’s how it all started.
How did you end up in Lewes?
Because both my then wife and I found work here in the 90s. But then we fell in love with the place, its history and landscape.
What is the difference between the new Italians who have come over more recently and those like you who have been here a lot longer?
There is not much difference, but the world has changed a great deal since I came over in 1977, especially when it comes to technology.
If you had to give a piece of advice to a young Italian man wishing to come and live in post-Brexit UK, as you did in the late ‘70s, what would that be?
Always have a clear plan, and stick to it. Dreaming of a better life is understandable, but won’t get you very far. Life is a struggle, both in Italy and in the UK.
One final question: would you go back to Italy?
My answer to your question may surprise you, but yes, I would. But after 40 years of living in the UK I would probably feel lost!
Interviewed by J.A. Kench
