VITA interviewed Simonetta Agnello Hornby, one of the most famous Italian writers, but also a lawyer who with courage and determination has dealt with migrants and childhood. But, above all, she is a profound observer of English reality, given that she has lived in London since 1979 and is a British citizen.
Born in Palermo but London by adoption, 78-year-old Simonetta Agnello Hornby needs no introduction. Sublime writer who described Sicily through the eyes of women, lawyer but, above all, an all-round intellectual. VITA interviewed her to describe, from her observatory, contemporary England, which she knows well, having lived in London since 1979. Her first job was at an English law firm in the City “then, seeing as I had small children , I decided to look for a job near home in Brixton. Working as a lawyer in a migrant neighborhood helped me gain a lot of experience, especially in a context of great changes.”
I would be interested to know your opinion on the changes in British society today, in relation to migrants.
From the point of view of migrants, England has always been very open, much more than Italy. For example, during the British Empire there were many Indians not only at the university as students, but also as teachers. From this point of view, Great Britain has always been very open and it was in its own interest, because these people then earned, worked, made money, paid taxes. More open than Sicily where we still have a nice phrase, “people from outside”.
Great Britain and Sicily are two islands that know well that they depend on the rest of the world
Simonetta Agnello Hornby
Can you explain the meaning of this Sicilian saying better?
My mother, who was a cultured, educated, good and good woman, always said that, when she was little, they had a museum in their house that they opened to tourists and, if they were tourists from outside, her mother, my grandmother, put the cups more beautiful to offer them coffee. To give you an idea of how good it was, I would too.
The concept is that Great Britain and Sicily are two islands that know well that they depend on the rest of the world. In the past there were many colonies and that’s why they were rich, but now they are very open to all kinds of people. Let’s think about Rishi Sunak, for example, who is Indian.
England was a colony of the Romans, so it always drew lessons and inspiration from the culture of the peoples it encountered
Simonetta Agnello Hornby
This is exactly what I wanted to ask you, given that the Tories, after Sunak, chose the 44-year-old Kemi Badenoch, a Nigerian woman, as their leader. Why do English conservatives, unlike Italy and other European countries where migrants flock to left-wing parties, choose migrants for their leadership?
England was a colony of the Romans, so they always drew teaching and inspiration from the culture of the people they came into contact with.
What does “exit and be reborn” mean in Sicily? It means that those who go abroad do well. Well, the English have transformed this Sicilian saying into “those who go out (i.e. come from outside) are happy here”.
Simonetta Agnello Hornby
If you look at the history of England, you see that it was in constant struggle with the French, but there was also always a sense of taking the best from the outside, just like the Romans. In Sicily we also have another saying, “exit and be reborn”, which means that those who go abroad do well. Well, the English have transformed this Sicilian saying into “those who go out (i.e. come from outside) are happy here”.
Is it still like this today?
I don’t actually know, but I know a large number of English lawyers of Indian or African origin who are very good and are completely accepted. Then, racism is another story, but it is undeniable that immigrants have made an enormous contribution to Great Britain which, without them, would not have had the same success.
Just think of the great prime ministers of the past like Benjamin Disraeli, he was Jewish but people never noticed. This is the beauty of the English, because at least they accept them, even if they then perhaps exploit them and send them away.
Speaking of these gusts of racism, what do you think of the so-called Patriots?
Great Britain is a country in crisis, it has left the European Union and realizes it has made a mistake. It has become a place where people no longer come to admire the beauty of England, but because perhaps there are financial advantages.
This is a notable degradation of England that I am very sorry to see, because my children, my grandchildren and I myself are British citizens, as well as I am also Italian. Today is a time of great crisis for England and we don’t know how long it will last. I am very afraid that, at some point, Scotland may separate from England and become part of the European Union. In that case, England will become a modest country.
Linking to this, what do you think of post-Brexit Britain?
England left the European Union and everyone was happy because they were finally independent, because they no longer wanted to depend on others. However, they did not understand that, financially, it was a disaster, but above all that, from a job point of view, the British citizens lost.
It’s terrible, before they could go to work in Europe, learn, travel, know and be part of a whole so it was a huge and stupid mistake, which I am ashamed of as a British citizen, and since then they have failed to recognize their own mistake.
They should make a mea culpa and ask to rejoin the European Union, but at the moment they don’t want to do so. It’s a bad moment but I don’t know how to describe it further.
They never accept that they were wrong, after all they lost the empire because they don’t know the meaning of the word “mea culpa”. This is Britain’s real flaw
Simonetta Agnello Hornby
Perhaps the Tories with this new leadership could retrace their steps?
I’m Labour, so I don’t know what to say to you, but one of my husband’s best friends is a very good Conservative minister, so I know and respect those who are good.
I believe the Conservative Party is in a critical situation at the moment and, as a woman, I have been ashamed of their latest female leaders. It’s a really bad time and I don’t think conservatives have the ability to admit mistakes.
Here, this is the real flaw of Great Britain: they never accept that they were wrong, after all they lost the empire because they don’t know the meaning of the word “mea culpa”.
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