International Conference “Collective Memories of Transit across the Mediterranean”

This two-day international conference explores the stories and collective memories of migration across the Mediterranean. It focuses on how collective memories of transit can be reclaimed and reimagined to challenge the dominant narratives around mobility, citizenship, and social organization in European societies. The event brings together relatives of those who disappeared while crossing borders, solidarity networks and associations, researchers, and legal practitioners to examine the past and present of the European border regime. The main topics discussed include:

• The Mediterranean as a deadly border
• Memories of transit denied on both sides of the sea
• Legal struggles for the right to memory
• Archives and infrastructure of memory

Michela Lovato (University of Genoa) served as a scientific committee member alongside other academics from the University of Parma and, together with Nadia Chaouch, contributed as speakers to the “Ongoing Research” panel. Luca Queirolo Palmas (University of Genoa) participated as a discussant, providing critical insights during the panel.