From the stories of people scattered in different countries, one fine day you discover you have relatives everywhere and, in the end, a sense of returning to one’s roots becomes irresistible.

Other truths are also revealed by the stories of people who, on the contrary, have abandoned their land because it is overwhelmed by unhappiness, social classism and Government abuses at the expense of constitutional rights, resulting in anger and resentment towards the nation of their birth which is socially and economically unprepared and inattentive to enhance their skills and experience in any cultural and productive sector.

No less interesting and enlightening are the stories of the Erasmus generations that for over thirty years now and until 2020, demonstrate and will demonstrate the forging of very specialized talents, which will increase more and more new economies in multiethnic and multicultural territories and are ready to transform some challenges and human resources into entirely unexplored collective assets.

Other people, however, still decide to change their life and nation, at a more or less advanced age, simply because they can afford it. But what really has changed from the old to the new generations, in the wandering spirit of so many new citizens?

And why, despite obvious advantages for many nations, where another concept of the new economy could be based on repopulation and the inserting of new active energies, do they continues to worry about the entry of new brains instead of recognizing them as a way of addressing their own inabilities and incompetences, and, instead demonstrate their ability to manage and integrate these economically innovative new arrivals as part of a new " heritage of all and for all"?

Speaking in particular of Italian communities abroad, as contributors to the economies and socio-cultural developments of nations where the main target groups have been integrated for several decades, we must not forget that, for example,

areas now considered top class, such  as Manhattan, were practically developed by several thousand Italians, settled before the revaluation  process; not least by having created the largest food and catering companies;  Little Italy now has by far the most significant Italian community amongst the communities of the capital city, New York.

In Europe, however, between London and Scotland, already for a long time, despite some persistent clichés that still define an old concept of "Italians abroad", new entries from the peninsula have become established, tracing other identities and professional profiles with a  much more enterprising and innovative, mentality, lifestyle and training experiences, increasingly creative and active, abreast of changing times, contributing to the economy and to the exchange of new practices of socio-cultural revival in the locations where they have chosen to live.

In any case, after having explored carefully in Scotland, in particular, and observed the different socio-cultural opportunities open to  Italian generations today there is still a certain gap between old and new conceptions of another Italianity that seems to be a little more difficult to grasp.

Since, however, Scotland has also perceived these changes and has assimilated on real basis certain new models and values, it still remains an area to be covered, possibly with the attention, appropriate monitoring, extensive support and promotion by politicians and local scholars to identify and recognise the potential to actively apply new guidelines relevant to the needs of the country. However, as  today the Italian community in Scotland iswell known for how it has adapted, we will talk about this with Ronnie Convery, well known as a cultural connector between Italy and the UK and as a TV broadcaster and cultural journalist, exclusively for Tablet 2.0.

1)Thanks Ronnie for your very important participation. Let us begin with you. Why are you interested in the history of Italian generations here in the UK and Scotland, in particular?

R. C. I have always had a love for Italy and all things Italian – and so the story of the Italian immigration to Scotland has fascinated me. It’s a story of heroism and courage. A story of changing cultures, a story marked by tragedy and triumph, in other words it’s a wonderful story to tell!

2) Over several decades you have experienced personally the evidence of the many changes that have taken place between the Italian groups of fifty years ago and the new generations. However, there are older models of Italian identity that, somehow, still persist in the nation and that do not reflect exactly the new worldwide Italian identity. Whose responsibility is this from your point of view?

R. C. It is normal that when people leave their old country they bring to their new country memories of their roots. Inevitably with the passing of time, those “roots” become fossilised. People experience a nostalgia for an Italy of the economic boom, of Gigliola Cinquetti winning Sanremo with “Non ho l’età”; of the first Fiat 500 and excursions to the beach to eat Panini made by mamma while reading a copy of Gente. These are lovely memories! But they are not the reality of Italy today. The arrival of new immigrants, bringing with them the reality of today’s Italy is an interesting phenomenon. We must wait and see whether this new influx will change the “nostalgia” of the previous generations.

3) There are Italian communities in Glasgow and Edinburgh: what are the differences between these two different groups?

R. C. There are many differences. The geographical one is that the Edinburgh Italians traditionally come from the area around Picinisco, which is a tiny village near Montecassino. In Glasgow the community is more likely to find its roots in Barga, a hilltown in the Garfagnana region of northern Tuscany. But there are many subtle differences too. The Edinburgh community is very heavily involved in catering. Edinburgh is a city with many old established Italian restaurants. But being a small city, with very expensive rates in the city centre, there is not much room for new openings. Thus the old families - who emigrated more than 100 years ago - tend to be dominant in the city centre restaurant business. Glasgow is very different. It's a grid city - a bit like San Francisco. The city centre is large and many streets offer good rates for new openings. In recent weeks a couple from Salerno have opened a small food outlet near the famous Sauchiehall Street, while a new pizzeria in central Miller Street is staffed almost totally by young Neapolitan pizzaioli. But it is also true that in Glasgow the Italian community tends to be more varies. The Principal of the University is from Bari, the Archbishop from Lazio origins, and the new generation of migrants are from Rome, Bologna and the Veneto as well as Bari, Sicily and Campania. One of the most typical stories of the Glasgow/Italian mix is that of William Moriconi - a classical musician from the ranks of the Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma who is now an entrepreneur in Glasgow's largest shopping centre selling imported Italian jewellery - the first Italian jewellers in Scotland.

4) Let us talk about a current, slighty dodgy topic: young people. Who are the young Italians in the UK? What is their contribution to changing life in the Capital and in the macro-city of Glasgow?

R. C. The new arrivals are a much more geographically mixed group, though it is fair to say that the migration is more common from the south of Italy. Puglia and Sicily are the new Barga and Picinisco!

Those who arrive tend to fall into one of three categories: Young unemployed people looking for basic work in the catering trade (working as waiters or dishwashers) in order to make some money and either return home or build a new life in the UK.  Then there are the students enrolling at Scottish universities – Italian students pay no fees to study on Scotland (though they pay £9000 per year to study in England) so this creates a magnet. Finally we find neo–arrivati at top end professional level. Academics, economists, scientists and managers who have chosen to work here as a natural career move – here they can enjoy simple things like a clear tax system, meritocratic promotion processes, an economy that is strong, and at the same time they are only a few hours from home thanks to the daily air links between Edinburgh and Milan.

All these could enrich Scottish life. Through social media it is easier for them to get in touch and organise themselves.

5) Future visions for the mixed citizenships: what you can see in your crystal ball?

R. C. In the crystal ball of the European idealist like me there would be a single citizenship – that of Europe. But for the lifetime of all who will read these words I cannot see that happening. I would like to see a system adopted which would allow European citizens to choose a citizenship after perhaps five years’ residency. This would make life simpler in a practical sense for those who have chosen to live in a different area of Europe from the one into which they were born.

6) Some Italians who had roles within certain institutions in the Scottish capital, after a period have suddenly abandoned the city and moved to Glasgow. Do you think it is because the community of Italians in Glasgow is much stronger, influential and focused on a possible future for the Italians in Scotland?

R. C. The move from Edinburgh to Glasgow is a big one! Although the cities are only 40 minutes apart by train their cultures are very diverse. Edinburgh is traditionally regarded as the colder city (literally and metaphorically) though the more cultured and tourism-focused centre. Glasgow, the former industrial capital is famed for the warmth of its people and in recent years has become a world renowned centre for congresses and concerts. Both cities have their appeal, but if there is a flight of Italians from Edinburgh to Glasgow it may be due to the large, strong Italian community there and the warmth of the institutions in welcoming new arrivals. The city council and the Archdiocese in Glasgow have a particularly warm relationship with the Italian community.

7) You sound like a very careful and vigilant person, concerned with the development of young people... What would be your honest and sincere advice for young Italians who decide to live in Scotland?

R. C. Scotland is a good place to live. There are many job openings if you are prepared to work hard. The weather is not great, but the people are usually more friendly and welcoming than in London for example. The bureaucracy is minimal.  I would advise people to ensure they have a good level of English before arriving. It is not enough to say “hello” and “goodbye”. Even for a basic job in a bar some conversational English is essential.

Students will find Scottish universities extremely well organised and efficient. The advantage of no tuition fees makes them a very attractive option for Italian citizens.

Professional people will find Scotland a good place to live and work – wages are higher than in Italy and taxes are lower, the health system is universal and free – and Italy is only ever three hours away on that daily flight from Edinburgh to Milan! During other periods of the year there are also flights to Rome, Verona, Naples, Bologna, Pisa and Venice.

8) Can you could nominate one or even two Italians who have contributed significantly to the real vision of what it means to be Italians today in Scotland?

R. C. Italians have played a very prominent role in Scottish life – much more than could be expected given their numbers. Some of the great actors and musicians are Scots Italians – I think of Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) or Nicola Benedetti the classical violinist and Paolo Nutini, the blues song-writer. Then there are the great “punti di riferimento” in public life – the much-respected retired Archbishop of Glasgow, Mario Conti whose support led to the creation of the beautiful Italian Cloister Garden in the shadow of the city’s Catholic Cathedral. In the Scottish Parliament too there are several Scots Italian Msp’s, while the evergreen and energetic Richard Demarco is a well-respected figure in promoting Italian (and International) culture and contemporary art, through his Foundation-Archive.