There’s a street in Perugia, Italy, where the world converges: Africa, Palestine, Taiwan, China, Venezuela, and Greece, all on a single block. This street, Corso Garibaldi, is a multicultural corridor linking voyagers to a colorful, flourishing diasporic community in the heart of Perugia’s historic city center.
However, much of the street’s vibrancy and prosperity stems from the extraordinary people—immigrants from around the world—who have opened shops, small businesses, and family-owned restaurants in Italy over the past 10 years. Without these shops and their owners, the culture of Corso Garibaldi would vanish overnight.
Yet there has been a growing movement throughout Italy to restrict the influx of migrants. Corso Garibaldi ultimately represents more than its cuisine and artistry; this street tells the story of an immigrant community and the small but powerful influence it wields. As resistance to migrants grows in Italy and across Europe, Corso Garibaldi remains a timeless testament to the power and significance of “strangers” in foreign lands.
In this project, Reporting Fellow Grace Randolph introduces readers to key figures on Corso Garibaldi and beyond, recounts their lives before arriving in Perugia, and reports on the reception they have received in the years since.
