Al di là e al di qua dell’Adriatico: la rappresentazione dell’Albania e dell’Italia tra XX e XXI secolo. Scrittori e scrittrici albanesi in lingua italiana a confronto

This study is about migrant literature according to a theoretical, methodological and critical point of view. The aim of this work is to analyze the representation of Albania and Italy through literary images created by Albanian authors writing in Italian. The analysis takes into consideration those tests written in Albanian by Ornela Vorpsi, whose novel has been included in the Best European Fiction (2010); Artur Spanjolli praised for his literary production; Ron Kubati, member of the literary panel Balcanica, and Anilda Ibrahimi, the narrator of the condition of Albanian woman. The first part of this research is based on an investigation of aspects like the notion of migrant literature itself, its origins and value, its acceptance and the present situation in a comparison between Italy and other countries such as Germany, France, United Kingdom and United States. There is a consideration on a key point regarding the various definitions of this literature, which have brought the critical attention to a debate on cultural domination and subaltern voices. The discourse about hegemony and subaltern voices is strictly connected to relation between migrant literature and the literary canon in terms of inclusion/exclusion. The critical analysis also illustrates some important features of migrant texts highlighting their innovative character, the remarkable presence of women writers, the capacity to invert the representation of Italian society and that of some historical events, together with the way this literature has experienced till nowadays. The analysis takes into consideration the interest of Italian publishing houses in this literary production and its reception by critics, characterised by a major interest manifested by scholars outside Italy. This part closes with a note on the role of migrant literature in a social and cultural context, especially its potentiality of educating future generations in an intercultural perspective. The second part of the thesis is dedicated to Albania, its relations with Italy and to the Albanian writers and their works. The discourse on the land of eagles starts from ancient time in order to trace the roots of the Albanian identity, the national Marxism which has characterised Albania in the 20th century and the relationship between the two countries. There is also an analysis on Albanian migration to Italy from the point of view both of Albanians and Italians. In fact, there is a kind of initial welcoming to Italy but soon substituted by a sense of fear conditioned by mass media, which represented Albanians by stereotypes and negative features. From their part, Albanians seem to be disappointed because of their great expectations toward Italy. Even if in the last years, the image of Albanians has positively changed, many Albanians are leaving Italy and going back to their homeland or migrating in another country. Chapter four focuses on the life and the work of Albanian authors writing in Italian. It is also followed by a linguistic analysis focusing on both implications of the use of a foreign language as a language of literary expression and that of different phenomena such as phonic, grammatical and lexical interference taking place in language contacts. The third part focuses on the analysis of texts which describes the two countries. Chapter five is constituted by literary images regarding Albania in which is traced the image of country of contradiction, characterized by a patriarchal society, and, at the same time, by women’s fundamental role in the everyday life. On the one hand there is an archaic country, faithful to its traditions, on the other, an ongoing modernization and emancipation. The most represented period in their works is that under communism which has heavily conditioned authors’ childhood and youth. They have grown up under the control of Nëna parti (Mother-Party) that reached every aspect of life transforming Albania into the country of Big brother. It is in the new country that the authors develop a different perspective which allows them to better comprehend their personal history and that of their country of origin. The last chapter looks at the representation of the host country characterised by two different considerations. In fact in early stage, there is a mythologization of Italy, mostly due to the Italian television which people were used to secretly watch during the regime. In a second phase it takes place a process of de-mythologization of Italy, caused by the difficulties of interaction and the migrant’s conditions in the new context. There are also few criticisms made about bureaucracy, about urban decay highlighting a social discontent. In appendix it is possible to consult a glossary where are listed words, expressions, proverbs and ways of saying extracted from the texts in which is evident the interference of the first language.