Migration, Diaspora, and Historical Memory: Italian Communities in Soviet Russia, 1920–1940

Abstract

The history of migration and diaspora has increasingly attracted scholarly attention, yet the experiences of smaller European communities in Soviet Russia remain underexplored. This article investigates the Italian diaspora in the Soviet Union between 1920 and 1940, focusing on their contributions to Soviet industry, cultural life, and transnational networks. Using Italian diplomatic records, Soviet census data, and personal memoirs preserved in family archives, the study reconstructs the everyday lives of Italian migrants who settled in cities such as Moscow, Leningrad, and Baku.
The findings highlight the dual role of Italians as both participants in and observers of Soviet modernization. Many were skilled workers or technical specialists invited to support industrial projects, while others arrived as political exiles seeking refuge from Mussolini’s regime. Their experiences reveal the complex negotiations of identity in a socialist context: while some integrated into Soviet society and embraced its ideals, others faced suspicion, surveillance, and eventual repression during the purges of the late 1930s.
The article situates the Italian community within broader debates on migration and diaspora studies, emphasizing how transnational mobility shaped cultural exchange and historical memory. The narratives of Italian migrants contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Soviet internationalism, illustrating both its inclusive aspirations and its exclusionary practices. By highlighting the Italian case, the research expands the geographical and cultural scope of studies on Soviet history and diaspora communities.
Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of integrating micro-histories of migrant communities into global and transnational histories. It demonstrates that the experiences of relatively small diasporic groups, such as Italians in Soviet Russia, shed light on broader questions of cultural adaptation, identity politics, and the politics of historical memory in the twentieth century.