The Dialectics of (Post)Colonial Memory: Nostalgic Representations of the Imperial Experience in Contemporary Italy

This article explores how nostalgic memories of Italy’s colonial past are preserved and re-articulated through Il Reduce d’Africa, the journal of the Associazione Nazionale Reduci e Rimpatriati d’Africa (ANRRA). Founded by colonial returnees and veterans in the early 1960s, ANRRA became a key platform for expressing and perpetuating nostalgic and partial memories of Italy’s empire. By examining the journal’s content over several decades, the article challenges the prevailing view that Italy’s colonial past has been erased or forgotten. Instead, it argues that colonial memories have persisted in plain sight, often conflicting with one another, and continue to influence contemporary Italian society. Using Michael Rothberg’s concept of multidirectional memory, the article offers a new interpretation of these memories, considering their complexity and ongoing relevance. It highlights the roles played by individuals who, though not directly involved in colonialism, have been implicated in reshaping the narratives and cultural practices that underpin Italy’s imperial legacy. The analysis underscores the significance of understanding these contested memories in shaping present-day perspectives on Italy’s colonial past.