In your opinion , what makes the Italian community in Bristol unique compared to other cities in the UK ?
Lino says the Italian community in Bristol is unique due to its rich and longstanding history , deeply rooted in families who arrived generations ago . “ There are people here whose families came over 90 years ago to work in mining ,” he notes , emphasising how this long history sets Bristol apart .
Unlike newer communities that may be more transient , Bristol ’ s Italian families are now third , even fourth generation . “ There are families that go back 70 , 90 years ,” Luigi says , “ and their grandparents , some who are still with us , might not even speak Italian anymore , as they ’ ve been here so long .” Instead , these families often communicate in dialects , their language now shaped by generations of living in the UK .
Is there anything you would like the people of Bristol to know about the Italian community that often goes unnoticed ?
One thing Luigi wishes more Bristolians knew is how embedded Italians are in the city ’ s heritage . He describes the Italian contribution over the decades , especially for the post-war generations who dedicated their lives to the city .
“ They really worked hard – they broke their backs and hands working here ,” he reflects . For many of these families , Bristol became more of a home than Italy , and some feel frustrated that they ’ re still seen as outsiders after contributing so much to the city . “ They ’ ve given a lot more to this country than to Italy . They ’ ve been here since they were children , and now they ’ re in their 90s . They ’ re practically British .”
How can Bristol residents get more involved with or learn more about the Italian culture and community in the city ?
To connect with the Italian community and its events , Luigi suggests a greater emphasis on cultural events that celebrate Italian traditions , similar to those in the past .
“ When I first came to the UK 25 years ago , we used to have something we called a ball ,” he recalls fondly . “ Tickets were £ 20 each , and there was Italian food , a buffet , and Italian dancing – it was a fantastic event with 200 to 250 people .” Events like this fostered a sense of togetherness and allowed Italians and non-Italians alike to celebrate Italian culture .
However , Luigi admits that such events can be a lot of work , and as they grew larger , they became harder to organise . Today , he suggests that newsletters , Facebook pages , or even a local Italian gazette – like those in Manchester and Liverpool , as well as here through La Civetta – could help bring the community together and keep people informed .
Source : Instagram @ bestofbristol
It ’ s more than just a foreign community ; it ’ s an integral part of Bristol ’ s fabric
How has the Italian community in Bristol grown over the years ? Are there any key milestones in this growth ?
Lino describes how Brexit had an unexpected impact on the Italian community , with many previously unregistered Italians suddenly registering to secure their status in the UK . “ There were 450,000 people in total registered in the UK , and now it ’ s down to 100,000 , but it wasn ’ t just new arrivals . A lot of Italians who ’ d been here for years suddenly registered .”
Bristol saw a significant increase in Italian residents at this time , with the consulate ’ s workload growing significantly . “ It changed my job – it ' s bananas !” Luigi remarks . “ Our office went from 1,500 applications to 7,000 a month – we were overloaded with people who were anxious to secure their status .”
Are there any specific sectors in Bristol , such as business , arts , or education , where the Italian community has had a particularly strong influence ?
When it comes to sectors where Italians have made an impact , Luigi points first to hospitality and food distribution . “ As you probably know , there are plenty of Italian restaurants and cafés in Bristol . Even today , I ’ m often asked by Italian restaurants in other cities if I know any Italians who can work for them ,” he says , noting that Italian restaurateurs are keen on hiring Italians who know the industry well .
Beyond hospitality , Italians have also made a significant contribution in healthcare , particularly in cardiology . At the Bristol Royal Infirmary , several Italian heart specialists work in the paediatric cardiology department , which he highlights as one of the best in the country . “ The department is led by Professor Massimo Caputo , who ’ s the Chief of the British Heart Foundation ,” Luigi adds . “ It ’ s another area where Italians are present and making a real difference .”
Bristol ’ s Italian community , with its deeprooted family ties , shared history , and active presence in areas like hospitality and healthcare , is more than just a foreign community ; it ’ s an integral part of Bristol ’ s fabric . The contributions of these Italians – from their hard work in the city ’ s early days to their present influence in key sectors – demonstrate the unique and lasting role they play in shaping the character of Bristol .
By Giulia Volpi ( She / Her )// Italian Language Assistant & Lucy Breen ( She / Her ) // Final Year // Italian and French
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