Ciao Italia! A century of Italian immigration and cultures in France (1860-1960)

Between February 2018 and February 2023, the Musée National de l’Histoire de l’Immigration is offering a travelling version of the exhibition Ciao Italia!, distributed by the Museum but also by its partners in France and worldwide.

Until February 2023, the Musée National de l’Histoire de l’Immigration will be presenting a travelling version of the exhibition Ciao Italia!, distributed by the Museum but also by its partners in France and worldwide.

Ciao Italia! spotlights the contributions made by Italian immigration to French society and culture. Covering religion, the press, education, the arts, music, cinema, games and sport, not to mention gastronomy, it reveals the many Italians – workers, miners, masons, farmers, craftsmen, artists and entrepreneurs – who have helped make France since the second half of the 19^th century.

Arruolamento di minatori per la Francia, 1949, Collection particulière, Affiche éditée dans le cadre des accords de recrutement signés entre l’Italie et la France dès 1946.

The exhibition starts with a chronological approach and a reminder of the key periods of Italian immigration in France:

1860-1870 A nation of migrants
1880-1910 Violence and passion
1920-1940 In the shadow of Fascism
1950-1960 Dolce Vita

Next it takes a theme-based approach:

Where do they come from?
Where do they find themselves?
What do they do?
What do they leave us?

Objectives of Ciao Italia! A century of Italian immigration and cultures in France (1860-1960)

A reminder of the diversity of migration paths taken by Italians and a tribute to their contributions to France.
Tracing the regions they left behind in Italy and the places they settled in France. A look at the places where they socialised and sought entertainment, the various sports played and their worshipping habits.
Describing the different economic activity sectors that the Italians worked in, thus contributing to the construction of France (trade, agriculture, building, industry…), not forgetting the professional sectors in which Italian women worked (perfume, textile, domestic work, artists’ models…).
Highlighting the contribution Italian immigration made to French society until 1960 through traces of Italianness in the French language, music or gastronomy and their contributions after 1960.

Salle de l'exposition Ciao Italia ! © Palais de la Porte Dorée, 2017

The exhibition is designed to be presented in multimedia libraries, academic establishments, cultural or social facilities run by regional authorities and non-profits. A set of education resources and mediation and communications tools are available to assist with organising the exhibition.