The paper relies on the theory of transnational migration, which is based on the ties that migrants maintain with the people, traditions, society located outside the borders of the country in which they reside (Glick Schiller et al:1992; Smith and Guarnizo:1998; Portes et al:1999; Pries:1999). The transnationalism has changed people’s relations to space by creating ‘social fields’ that connect and position some actors in more than one country (Glick Schiller et al:1992; Castells:1996; Goldring:1998).
In the past few years a new form of migration is appearing, which does not depend only on economic reasons. Many people go abroad as a way to escape and acquire new knowledge about the world and different cultures (Castells:1997; Sklair:2001). Migrating to another country is a way to get rich in various aspects: personal, professional and economic. In the globalized world such a migration may be a temporary phenomenon and the relationship with the country of origin is never interrupted. This relationship is kept and fostered by the technological possibilities that allow travelling at low prices and quick and multiple communications using ICT (Hannerz:1996; Alger:1997; Castells:1997; Vertovec:1999). In addition, the new technologies allow obtaining continuous information from the country of origin as well as staying in touch with families and friends. The relationship with their home country is never cancelled and it is redefined continuously in different forms. People see themselves simply as men and women living in Europe, and not just as migrants or symbols of brain drain. This type of migration involves mainly people aged 18 to 40 years, from different social classes, living in European cities. They develop their lives as if they were at home, not only maintaining contact with the city of origin, but also rebuilding in the host city their lives and identities with the elements they did not have at their disposal in their own country. They don’t create new kind of ghettos; conversely, they seem to be much more integrated now about the ancient migrations.
In my proposal, I analyze the Neapolitan community living in Barcelona. Italians are the second largest community in Barcelona with around 28,000 presences, among which a large number is made up of Neapolitans. Moreover the Neapolitans have a long history of migration. It is a community that has managed to export its culture internationally over the years, getting integrated into the host society and at the same time maintaining a strong link with its traditions. In my paper, I propose that the development and maintenance of the own origin in an international context allows migrants to rethink their own identity in a wider context. This may contribute in the midterm to the redefinition of a European identity.
