Posts tagged Theorizing Hospitality and Integration
UNIFI Workshops and Seminar Series | Sirius & RESPOND researches

by Renato Ibrido | University of Florence

Contemporary societies are unavoidably “multicultural societies”, which means that a number of diverse social groups – characterized by different values, traditions, language, legal norms, religions – coexist in the same national territory. Governing such a social, political and economic diversity is one of the most compelling challenges of our time. Contemporary migration flows contribute making this challenge even engaging because on the one hand they increase critical diversity, and on the other they feed political discourses exasperating xenophobia and the “Europe first” narrative.

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Theorizing Hospitality and Integration: Preliminary Insights from Research with Syrian Women in Istanbul

by Dr. Susan Rottman | Özyeğin University

“Eat more.  I know you can eat more,” Dana urges with a smile as she serves me a second helping of sautéed green, mint-shaped leaves, soaked in lemon juice and accompanied by tiny pieces of chicken.  The leaves are imported dried from Syria and taste like chewy Swiss chard seasoned with lemon-y black tea.  It is completely delicious, and I certainly do not mind a second helping.  Dana wants me to feel welcome and therefore does not believe my polite protestations of being full. Throughout my research for RESPOND in Istanbul, I was often treated to this exceptional hospitality in Syrian homes.

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