Oltre le rimesse economiche: memoria, mobilitazione e rimesse politico-culturali della diaspora ucraina

The article investigates acts of solidarity toward their homeland by Ukrainians living in Italy in response to the war emergency. The analysis is based on research conducted in Tuscany with secular, religious, formal and informal groups engaged in fundraising and the collection of essential goods. In detail, emphasis will be placed on how the mobilization to support such collective solidarity actions cannot be reduced to the mere transfer of material resources and, at least in part, had already been tested following the political events that affected Ukraine between 2013 and 2014. At the core of these forms of mobilization is the construction and safeguarding of the collective memory of their people by the Ukrainian community living abroad, emphasizing its growth as a political and cultural force on two levels: supporting Ukraine’s independence and national identity and protecting Ukrainian cities from both physical and symbolic destruction.