The (Re)Birth of a Mediterranean Migration System. The Case of Tunisian Migration in Sicily

The appearance of Tunisian communities in Sicily towards the mid-1960s was one very first cases international migration twentieth-century Italy. However, coexistence immigration with difficult economic situation destination area still raises interpretational difficulties: how is it possible that poorest European regions became an and, its own country? This article suggests answer to this question adopting a comprehensive approach integrating political, social, and elements. defines frames migrants movements Channel as components broader system connecting Tunisia. deconstruction follows three directions: Italian institutional diplomatic background against which migrations emerged, salience transnational activities Sicily, history connections between opposing shores Central Mediterranean.