Written memoirs, photographs, images, emails, letters, drawings, postcards, videos, and music. These are the ways in which citizens of foreign origin or provenance who live or have lived in Italy and San Marino can participate in the third edition of the Di.M.Mi. — Multimedia Migrant Diaries competition, open to unpublished life stories by men and women of all ages. The competition is open until June 15th and will be divided into three categories: men, women, and young people up to age 21. The winning entries will be announced at the 34th Pieve Saverio Tutino Prize, scheduled for September in Pieve Santo Stefano, in the province of Arezzo, where the National Diary Archive currently preserves the 136 stories collected in the first two editions, submitted by authors from 32 countries.
Di.M.Mi aims to promote dialogue between citizens of diverse origins through the narration of their life experiences, to strengthen a collection and archiving fund for the diaries of first- and second-generation immigrants, and to build a collective memory that takes into account the diverse backgrounds of its citizens.
Created with the aim of raising awareness and engaging citizens on the themes of peace, memory, and intercultural dialogue, the initiative is led by a scientific committee that includes, among others, the Archive of Migrant Memories, the Fratelli dell'Uomo Association, and the Emigration Research Center of the University of the Republic of San Marino.
"This initiative," explains Patrizia Di Luca, director of the Emigrant Museum at the University of San Marino, "is a call to speak out and tell stories, but also a commitment to listen to the voices of those who arrived on our peninsula with plans, desires, and fears, often carrying a heavy burden of suffering. The competition also represents a choice to listen to the reasons behind a difficult journey, memories of childhood and life before departure, and the culture of their country of origin. Last year's diaries chronicled contemporary migrations from the perspective of those who face them, with ample space for the details of these arduous journeys. The testimonies offered allow us to understand this reality through a unique perspective and to understand the reasons behind a painful choice that forces one to leave behind their loved ones and their homeland. A choice almost always made out of necessity or coercion."