Abstract

Starting with an attempt to define the concept of a migration literature, the field of enquiry of Italian production is circumscribed, running through the most important phases of its development and tracing a panorama of its authors, first and second generation immigrants who use Italian as their language of communication. The works of these authors are examined in order to shed light on common linguistic and thematic elements, thus establishing certain recurrent traits of the genre. To enable the reader to better orient themselves in this context the channels of distribution of migration literature in Italy are identified, and the editorial projects of specialised publishers, online journals, literary competitions and cultural associations working in this field are analysed. Having investigated the value of migration literature and the role of migrant writers at literary, social and political levels, the contribution of this type of production to a discourse of education in interculturality in contemporary society is emphasised, and the possible evolution of this literary genre examined.