Built to last? Material legacies of Italian colonialism: Interviews with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Alessandra Ferrini, Viviana Gravano, Hannes Obermair, Resistenze in Cirenaica, Igiaba Scego, and Colletivo Tezeta

Abstract

This essay discusses what is a colonial trace and what can be done with the material legacy of colonialism in the Italian cities. These questions have been asked to scholars, artists, curators, and activists: historians Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Hannes Obermair, visual artist Alessandra Ferrini, art historian and curator Viviana Gravano, writer Igiaba Scego, and two collectives, Resistenze in Cirenaica and Colletivo Tezeta. They discuss their practices and work, but address also more general issues–such as whether Italy is a decolonized country or not. Interviewees looked at specific cases–like the city of Bolzano or the statue of Indro Montanelli in Milan–and analysed different strategies to resignify monuments and street names. The debate around Italy’s colonial legacy, and in particular monuments and street names, is ongoing and unfolding; these interviews will contribute to frame the debate for the years to come.