Remembering the future: cultural hybridity in Sicily?
William Burgwinkle
Sicily weathered a period of transition from the eleventh to thirteenth century, passing domination Byzantine Greeks, Arabs, then Normans, before becoming seat ever-expanding empire Frederick II. Celebrated ever since for its remarkably hybrid artistic production, churches and poetry, island’s political promise faded after Frederick’s demise; but hold on imagination Western Christendom as point origin notion European culture cannot be overestimated. In this article I examine island microcosm larger cultural wars afflicting continent in face centralization linking ethnic national identity. Though can no longer seen multicultural utopia, lost model non-sectarian Europe, it does offer prime example conscious effort sculpt an imperial identity wide range traditions selective reading history.
Journal of Romance Studies