ABSTRACT This study analyzes how the Italian-Jewish community in Tunisia, known as the “Livornese community,” has reconstructed its collective memory and its common historical path. The minority, composed of Sephardic Jews who settled in Tunisia between the 17th and 18th centuries, maintained a distinct identity from local Jews and other European groups. They were influential in the colonial milieu but occupied a complex position due to the intersection between their religion and their Italian nationality. The decolonization process (1943-1970), triggered a mass emigration from the country, but also conflicting narratives about the community past. This research explores how these narratives have been created and transmitted through autobiographies and interviews, highlighting the interplay between national, religious, and political identities. The Livornese Jews’ unique social position and plural affiliations produced a multifaceted memory, influenced by the emigration trajectories and the broader process of assimilation of formers Europeans colonizers.
issue 29 / n.1 (2026)
