Please consider submitting an abstract for NeMLA 2026—The Italian South and Southern (Re)generation 

Long perceived through the lens of economic disparity, the Italian South has been historically measured against the industrialized North, a comparison rooted in the post-unification Southern Question. Traditionally tied to agrarian concerns, this framework reinforced the notion of a necessary alliance between Southern peasants and Northern workers to bridge the industrial divide. However, contemporary Meridian Thought challenges this narrative, advocating for a recognition of the South beyond economic inferiority. Instead of striving for industrial homogenization, this perspective embraces lentezza, regional diversity, and a multiplicity of lived experiences, rejecting the pressure to conform to Northern models of development.

The proposed panel examines the Southern (R)evolution across Italian literature, media, music, television, social media, and art, exploring how these cultural forms reshape Southern identity through:

Transformation: evolving narratives of Southern identity in response to socio-political and cultural shifts.

Adaptation: the South’s engagement with and resistance to globalization

Migration and Immigration: movement within and beyond Italy, including new waves of migration towards the South

Environment and Agriculture: distinct ecological and agrarian practices shaping local sustainability models

Minority Communities: the diverse ethnic and cultural identities within Southern Italy

Subalternity: amplifying the voices of marginalized communities

Cultural Segregation: interrogating structures of exclusion and regional disparities

Music and Television: pop culture’s role in reshaping Southern identity, from folk traditions to contemporary music genres, and from regional TV productions to mainstream portrayals

Social Media: the digital platforms fostering new representations of Southern Italy, breaking stereotypes and creating new cultural movements

Art and Visual Culture: contemporary artistic expressions redefining the aesthetics of the South, from street art and digital media to photography and cinema

Building on last year’s discussion, this panel seeks to further broaden and enrich our understanding of the Italian South. Through the lens of literature, media, music, television, social media, and art, we critically explore how Southern Italy is reclaiming its narrative, not as a peripheral counterpart to the North, but as a vibrant, autonomous cultural entity.

Please submit an abstract of 300 words max to the NeMLA portal via this link: https://cfplist.com/nemla/Home/S/21761.

For questions, please contact Valentina Morello (vmorello@uark.edu) and Irene Hatzopoulos (ireneh@ucr.edu).