AN INTERVIEW WITH ERNESTO GRANESE
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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; also www.lavorareabrighton.weebly.com, a website designed to help young Italians find employment in Brighton and Sussex, as well as other periodicals aimed at the Italian community.
He has been living in England since 1977, in Brighton since 1984 and now lives in Lewes. His story is, in many respects, that of many young, second generation Italian immigrants. What did you think of England when you first moved here in 1977? I had very little time to get to know people or to visit the country. I had a job washing dishes at Gatwick Airport canteen and was working 70 hours a week for a miserable wage and a squalid bedsit. I knew I was being exploited, but when you're twenty you'll put up with that for a while, just to learn the language and get to know a new country . . . |
If you wish to know more please click here ...
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What were your first contacts with the Italian community ?
A guy called Franco was the first Italian I met. He struck me as somewhat pathetic, trying to imitate the English dress sense and way of speaking. He did not have a trace of cultural identity left, neither Italian nor English. Some of the other Italians I met even replied to me in English when I addressed them in Italian. But they all had beautiful houses and cars, something they probably would not have been able to have in Italy, at least back in the sixties. These Italians only ever talked about sport and women. You hardly ever got the chance to talk to them about anything of more importance. I know it's a bit of a sad picture, but that's the way it was!
What were the most serious problems you had to face?
Like everyone else, I had considerable problems with the climate and the language. Then there was knowing that I was 'different' and finding myself in a country with very different traditions, language and culture, much more so then than today.
In Italy I was much more involved in politics and I was very keen on following what was happening around me. In England I felt like a fish out of water and terribly ignorant!
Back in those days (1977) Labour was in government. But it was very different then from Labour of today. I am not saying it was better then, but it certainly stood more for socialist issues than it currently does.
Do you now feel fully integrated into English society ?
I'm afraid not. In '86 I went back to live in Italy for a few years and since coming back I've had to start right from the beginning again. Nowadays though, I follow English politics, read the papers, listen to Radio Four and talk about current issues with English friends. I write reasonably well in English and, sometimes, I go to the pub. I also attend the local chess club and get involved in my daughter's school life. Well, clearly I feel more at home today than I did twenty years ago.
How do you get on with English people ?
Very well, generally. The way they see the family and the casual way in which parents confront their children's problems still bother me. The family isn't taken too seriously over here, so much so that separations and divorces are at their highest levels. And to think that I was so critical of the Italian family! I think the right balance could be found somewhere in the middle: not too much relaxation nor excessive attachment to the institution of marriage and the family. Finally, I love the mental openness of the English in sexual and religious matters, with all the consequences, both positive and negative, that this entails.
What do you think of Brighton and 'Brightonians' ?
Eversince I moved to Lewes, 12 miles North of Brighton, I kind of miss Brighton. So I go back and forward almost everyday! I love the history of my town and its Norman, Tudor landmarks, but you can't beat Brighton in terms of lifestyle and social "buzz"!
Brighton, like London, though somewhat smaller, is a melting pot. The inhabitants seem more open and tolerant, as a rule, compared to English people of other areas I've lived in. Anyway, the fact that we are near the sea, the history of the place and its character, being a student and tourist town, make it more lively. But you should always be careful with this type of generalisation.
In your opinion what is the most pressing problem that the Italian community in Brighton is faced with at the moment ?
To me, the most serious problem surely has to be the lack of opportunities for our children to study the Italian language. Luckily, this is changing thanks to the Cornerstone Comunity Centre in Hove (www.cornerstone-hove.org.uk) who has recently been taken over by an Italian lady and has started a number of cultural and educational activities in favour of the local Italian community and the community in general. I am therefore feeling a lot more optimistic about the future of our community.
Never the less, the Italian Community still lacks of a point of reference here in Brighton: a club, an Italian style bar, or something other than the local catholic church, where you can meet other Italians. The Italians in Brighton group on Facebook which was established a year ago has made many positive changes in the life of our community. In addition to that, the Italians in Sussex Association (www.italianidelsussex.weebly.com;
www.britalians.co.uk ; the Anglo-Italian Publishing Society (www.Anglo-Italian-Publishing-Society.weebly.com); have all come back to life! Soon we will bring back to life the Friends of Italy club, as the words suggest, a club for English people who love Italian culture and language.
The economic climate might have changed the image of Italy and its reputation may have suffered as a result of our former PM's disgraceful conduct and policies, but the interest in Italy and Italian things is still widespread. Wisely, English people can tell the difference between the Italian people and their leaders: they know we deserve better but don't hold it against us for being led by low profile politicians!
Going back to the issue of community life and initiatives, there is so much that can be done, but few resources.
The fact remains that we Italians in Brighton —for historical reasons that would take too long to explain—do not enjoy the same level of cohesion that other Italian communities —such as the one in Worthing and Horsham— have achieved.
On the other hand, our Italian community in Brighton is somewhat younger and better educated, which means that, unlike our predecessors who came over to the UK in past decades with little nothing, the new generation of Italian immigrants have more of a chance to better themselves, integrate and retain their cultural identity. We'll see ...
Do you take an interest in Italian political life ?
I always have done. Obviously, we Italians abroad can now vote by correspondence, which is a tremendous achievement. Also, we have a small number of MPs who represent us in the Italian Parliament, though not always in a positive way. I regard this as an important step forward towards social inclusion of once forgotten Italian migrants, thus enhancing our role in Italian democratic life and policy making. Unfortunately, there are those Italians (namely the infamous, separatist group Lega Nord or Northern League) who are working against the rights of Italians Abroad to express themselves and elect their legitimate representatives in the Italian Parliament. We firmly oppose any attempt to do so.
As for me, for a number of years I was politically active in the Italian Democratic Party.
However, I soon became desenchanted with the whole business of self-righteous, arrogant, greedy politicians trying to secure personal gains out of people's lives. I am still very much in agreement with the values and the policies that the Democratic Party carries forward. As much as I favour radical political changes in my country and in the UK, I am just not interested in political competition and the struggle for power. People's lives matter a lot more to me!
What do you think of the present political situation in Italy ?
Despite 17 years of Berlusconi's leadership in our country, which has brought shame to our nation and soaring debt, our economy still plays an important role in Europe. On the other hand, we still have a long way to go before we solve Italy’s long-standing difficulties. A clear change of government may not solve our problems but has now become a necessity. The present government may not represent the best way out of our troubles but it was our only chance for Italy to come out of a difficult situation.
I'm afraid it will still take many years for the deep social and economic inequalities between North and South to be resolved.
Despite all this, I do not despair! We are nevertheless still a people full of resourcefulness and creativity, or at least we like to think so!
What still binds you to your country of origin ?
Easy! My family, good food, sport, our culture and language, some of our sound traditions, the optimism and sense of humour that characterise us, some of which, however, we seem to have lost recently. These are hard times for us Italians!
What do you think of the present political and economic situation in the United Kingdom ?
Unlike Italy, the situation here is in a much better shape. Nevertheless, there are growing concerns about the future both within the business community and working people. There are signs that the years of prosperity of the last two decades are over... unless the present government starts listening to its people, reassess their economic policies to address the ever-widening gap between the "have and the have-not's". Fat chance! It would too ingenuous and unrealistic to expect this from our present conservative government! They seem more preoccupied with keeping a firm grip of power!
What, finally, do you like best about Brighton ?
The sea. With a little imagination, looking out over it, I can see Italy!
Interviewed by J.A. Kench
A guy called Franco was the first Italian I met. He struck me as somewhat pathetic, trying to imitate the English dress sense and way of speaking. He did not have a trace of cultural identity left, neither Italian nor English. Some of the other Italians I met even replied to me in English when I addressed them in Italian. But they all had beautiful houses and cars, something they probably would not have been able to have in Italy, at least back in the sixties. These Italians only ever talked about sport and women. You hardly ever got the chance to talk to them about anything of more importance. I know it's a bit of a sad picture, but that's the way it was!
What were the most serious problems you had to face?
Like everyone else, I had considerable problems with the climate and the language. Then there was knowing that I was 'different' and finding myself in a country with very different traditions, language and culture, much more so then than today.
In Italy I was much more involved in politics and I was very keen on following what was happening around me. In England I felt like a fish out of water and terribly ignorant!
Back in those days (1977) Labour was in government. But it was very different then from Labour of today. I am not saying it was better then, but it certainly stood more for socialist issues than it currently does.
Do you now feel fully integrated into English society ?
I'm afraid not. In '86 I went back to live in Italy for a few years and since coming back I've had to start right from the beginning again. Nowadays though, I follow English politics, read the papers, listen to Radio Four and talk about current issues with English friends. I write reasonably well in English and, sometimes, I go to the pub. I also attend the local chess club and get involved in my daughter's school life. Well, clearly I feel more at home today than I did twenty years ago.
How do you get on with English people ?
Very well, generally. The way they see the family and the casual way in which parents confront their children's problems still bother me. The family isn't taken too seriously over here, so much so that separations and divorces are at their highest levels. And to think that I was so critical of the Italian family! I think the right balance could be found somewhere in the middle: not too much relaxation nor excessive attachment to the institution of marriage and the family. Finally, I love the mental openness of the English in sexual and religious matters, with all the consequences, both positive and negative, that this entails.
What do you think of Brighton and 'Brightonians' ?
Eversince I moved to Lewes, 12 miles North of Brighton, I kind of miss Brighton. So I go back and forward almost everyday! I love the history of my town and its Norman, Tudor landmarks, but you can't beat Brighton in terms of lifestyle and social "buzz"!
Brighton, like London, though somewhat smaller, is a melting pot. The inhabitants seem more open and tolerant, as a rule, compared to English people of other areas I've lived in. Anyway, the fact that we are near the sea, the history of the place and its character, being a student and tourist town, make it more lively. But you should always be careful with this type of generalisation.
In your opinion what is the most pressing problem that the Italian community in Brighton is faced with at the moment ?
To me, the most serious problem surely has to be the lack of opportunities for our children to study the Italian language. Luckily, this is changing thanks to the Cornerstone Comunity Centre in Hove (www.cornerstone-hove.org.uk) who has recently been taken over by an Italian lady and has started a number of cultural and educational activities in favour of the local Italian community and the community in general. I am therefore feeling a lot more optimistic about the future of our community.
Never the less, the Italian Community still lacks of a point of reference here in Brighton: a club, an Italian style bar, or something other than the local catholic church, where you can meet other Italians. The Italians in Brighton group on Facebook which was established a year ago has made many positive changes in the life of our community. In addition to that, the Italians in Sussex Association (www.italianidelsussex.weebly.com;
www.britalians.co.uk ; the Anglo-Italian Publishing Society (www.Anglo-Italian-Publishing-Society.weebly.com); have all come back to life! Soon we will bring back to life the Friends of Italy club, as the words suggest, a club for English people who love Italian culture and language.
The economic climate might have changed the image of Italy and its reputation may have suffered as a result of our former PM's disgraceful conduct and policies, but the interest in Italy and Italian things is still widespread. Wisely, English people can tell the difference between the Italian people and their leaders: they know we deserve better but don't hold it against us for being led by low profile politicians!
Going back to the issue of community life and initiatives, there is so much that can be done, but few resources.
The fact remains that we Italians in Brighton —for historical reasons that would take too long to explain—do not enjoy the same level of cohesion that other Italian communities —such as the one in Worthing and Horsham— have achieved.
On the other hand, our Italian community in Brighton is somewhat younger and better educated, which means that, unlike our predecessors who came over to the UK in past decades with little nothing, the new generation of Italian immigrants have more of a chance to better themselves, integrate and retain their cultural identity. We'll see ...
Do you take an interest in Italian political life ?
I always have done. Obviously, we Italians abroad can now vote by correspondence, which is a tremendous achievement. Also, we have a small number of MPs who represent us in the Italian Parliament, though not always in a positive way. I regard this as an important step forward towards social inclusion of once forgotten Italian migrants, thus enhancing our role in Italian democratic life and policy making. Unfortunately, there are those Italians (namely the infamous, separatist group Lega Nord or Northern League) who are working against the rights of Italians Abroad to express themselves and elect their legitimate representatives in the Italian Parliament. We firmly oppose any attempt to do so.
As for me, for a number of years I was politically active in the Italian Democratic Party.
However, I soon became desenchanted with the whole business of self-righteous, arrogant, greedy politicians trying to secure personal gains out of people's lives. I am still very much in agreement with the values and the policies that the Democratic Party carries forward. As much as I favour radical political changes in my country and in the UK, I am just not interested in political competition and the struggle for power. People's lives matter a lot more to me!
What do you think of the present political situation in Italy ?
Despite 17 years of Berlusconi's leadership in our country, which has brought shame to our nation and soaring debt, our economy still plays an important role in Europe. On the other hand, we still have a long way to go before we solve Italy’s long-standing difficulties. A clear change of government may not solve our problems but has now become a necessity. The present government may not represent the best way out of our troubles but it was our only chance for Italy to come out of a difficult situation.
I'm afraid it will still take many years for the deep social and economic inequalities between North and South to be resolved.
Despite all this, I do not despair! We are nevertheless still a people full of resourcefulness and creativity, or at least we like to think so!
What still binds you to your country of origin ?
Easy! My family, good food, sport, our culture and language, some of our sound traditions, the optimism and sense of humour that characterise us, some of which, however, we seem to have lost recently. These are hard times for us Italians!
What do you think of the present political and economic situation in the United Kingdom ?
Unlike Italy, the situation here is in a much better shape. Nevertheless, there are growing concerns about the future both within the business community and working people. There are signs that the years of prosperity of the last two decades are over... unless the present government starts listening to its people, reassess their economic policies to address the ever-widening gap between the "have and the have-not's". Fat chance! It would too ingenuous and unrealistic to expect this from our present conservative government! They seem more preoccupied with keeping a firm grip of power!
What, finally, do you like best about Brighton ?
The sea. With a little imagination, looking out over it, I can see Italy!
Interviewed by J.A. Kench