italian-studies: Scholarly discussions in any field of Italian studies
Dear colleagues
All welcome to the following seminar
Prof Joe Farrell, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, and visiting fellow
The Things that make Sicily Sicily
The philosopher Giovanni Gentile marked the death of the celebrated Sicilian
folklorist, Giuseppe Pitre', by publishing a pamphlet entitled The Twilight
of Sicilian Culture, based on the notion that Sicilian culture had lost its
distinctiveness and could and should be regarded thereafter as part of the
national culture of Italy. Gentile, who was himself a Sicilian but who was
also an ardent Fascist, believed that Sicilian identity could be consigned
to history. Decades later, Leonardo Sciascia took issue with Gentile, and
the novels and plays of 20th century Sicilian writers appear to provide a
refutation of Gentile's thesis. However, any analysis of Sicilian experience
must include some discussion of the dark side of Sicilian life. Does the
imprecise, evasive concept that is now called 'culture' aid an understanding
of the daylight and nighttime aspects of life on the island? What factors in
history produced Sicilian culture, and is it now a museum exhibit?
5.15 pm start, Middle Theatre, Babel Building
It will be followed by refreshments.
Best
John
___
Prof. John Hajek, FAHA
School of Languages and Linguistics
The University of Melbourne
VIC 3010
Australia
phone: +61 (3) 8344 5168 fax: 9347 2489
email: [log in to unmask]
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