Italy: Literary creative scene resurfaces with a twist, it goes global

Nyawira Mithayo

As borders become more porous, people’s movements and relocation in the world result in changing local culture. In Italy, the phenomenon shows how foreigners reshape its caffè culture.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers realized remote work can be highly effective. As a matter of fact, a new study found that employees’ ability to work outside of a traditional office space is strongly linked to happiness at their job. Hence, countries worldwide, including Italy, adapted policies to support this shift for both its citizens and digital nomads.

In a seeming response to the change, Italy’s first-of-its-type digital visa allows non-EU remote workers to live in the country for a year with the option of renewal. Its implementation attracted numerous telecommuters – especially those who always wanted a visit to Italy – curating a satisfying cocktail of work and leisure throughout various Italian towns, while simultaneously remixing a different narrative to the custom.

In just the span of two years, traveling staffers settled in variegated parts of Italy, visibly shifting their interaction with everyday Italian practices. Unlike before–where a less-than-two-week-visit lacked any substantial cultural interaction– foreigners are flocking to parking their computers and spending their international coins to find community at the caffés.

With the influx of digital nomads, there is now a blending of Italian and foreign customs in these caffès. Ultimately, creating a unique and dynamic environment. On one hand, native Italians bring their deep-rooted caffé culture — from espresso rituals to socializing over long, leisurely conversations — while the foreigners introduce elements of their own lifestyles, such as more transient work habits, different types of coffee, and even varied ways of engaging with others in public spaces.

Indeed, according to Roman native Massimiliano Abri, during the Italian Renaissance, from the 14th to 17th centuries, intellectuals would gather in caffés to carry out heavy theoretical discourse. Back then, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance employee, you might have seen Niccolò Machiavelli in a hours-long philosophical spar with Francesco Vettori under the Caffè in Florence. These caffés were not just places to drink coffee, but vibrant spaces of intellectual exchange where the ideas shaping Europe’s future were debated and refined.

However, over the years, this has completely changed.

Today, a typical caffé operates like an intermezzo site, a quick layover. While there, conversations over hot beverages or local favorites, like a spritz, became more fast and casual overtime. “We might think about having a coffee with some friends or colleagues, but in terms of literary practices, that was something of the past,” expressed Abri.

Needless to say, caffés are essential to daily socioeconomic life in the city. Often filled with laughter or the quick footsteps of workers grabbing an espresso before going on their day to day hustle, it is a place to briefly catch up with each other or the latest news of the day.

However, this blend is not always entirely smooth. There are moments when the cultures may clash. The Italian preference for personal interaction, slow-paced enjoyment, and structured caffé environments can sometimes feel at odds with the nomads’ often fast-paced, solitary working style. For instance, some digital nomads might set up their laptops in a caffè for hours, a stark contrast to the traditional Italian practice of quickly enjoying a coffee standing at the bar. The variety of languages and accents also adds another layer of uniqueness and occasional tension, as it introduces a multitude of social dynamics.

These differences are salient because they highlight a larger trend of cultural adaptation in the face of globalization. As more people from around the world settle into Italian caffès, they bring their own expectations and practices, which challenge local norms while simultaneously enriching the caffè experience.

Although Italian culture and traditions have been globally influential for decades, this new arrangement is doing the inverse, finally influencing Italian culture. Beyond the obvious positive economic impact, it is subtly transforming how people engage with these social spaces.

The influx of foreign digital nomads and expatriates are transforming Italian caffés into hubs for creativity and productivity instead of spots for a quick espresso and a cornetto (a sweet croissant). A great example would be the “Shut Up and Write” event held in some charming caffés located in the heart of Rome such as Gatsby or Casa Dante.

During these sessions, a group of writers from different parts of the world meet every Saturday morning for around two hours followed by discussions with each member talking about her material or motivation for the day. Often, they talk about their successes and challenges as writers, and also discuss their current projects with others while sipping a cappuccino. In addition, many attendees have confessed that they no longer experience writer’s block in the presence of motivated minds pursuing a similar goal.

Denise Gonzalez, an American researcher and writer, travelled to Rome for work and sought to found a “Shut Up and Write” group similar to the one she frequented in California’s Bay Area. These groups, known for providing a quiet, supportive environment for writers to focus on their craft, were something she deeply valued as it gave her accountability especially while working on her dissertation. However, upon her arrival, she discovered that Rome lacked such a community.

Undeterred by this setback, Gonzalez decided to take matters into her own hands. She envisioned a space where writers could gather, share their creative energy, and find the motivation to write amidst the historic and inspiring backdrop of Rome. Despite not being entirely sure how extensive her initial search had been, she felt a strong conviction to fill this gap.

In an interview with Ark Republic, Gonzalez shared her journey. “I did some research,” she explained, “and I couldn’t find any existing ‘Shut Up and Write’ groups in Rome.” This realization sparked her determination to create one herself. She reached out to fellow writers by creating this event on a meetup application, and soon enough, a small but dedicated group began to form.

Gonzalez’s initiative not only provided a much-needed resource for writers and readers in Rome but also fostered a sense of community as well as collaboration. Writers from various backgrounds and genres came together, united by their love for the written word and their desire to support one another. In addition, many stay behind after the session is over to carry on deeper discussions across a range of topics.

Griffin Smith, also from the US, faced a similar situation when he relocated to Italy for his job at a nonprofit specializing in educational tourism. He found that the caffés in Rome were either expensive co-working spaces or places that encouraged quick visits, rather than allowing patrons to stay for extended periods

“In general, I get the impression that locals do not have a culture of staying in caffés, even the beautiful caffès, it’s more amongst the International communities,” he told Ark Republic.

Smith goes on to say that the experience has been fantastic. “It’s great to see others who [is] also interested in building a community, coming together in a coffee shop to write and focus, while also meeting people with similar interests.”

Through this group, they have not only discovered caffés similar to Gatsby, and accessible writing spaces, but they have also explored other artistic areas in the city, like museums, together. As a city famous for its vibrant nightlife, many foreigners in Rome grow weary of loosely organized and pricey tourist events. Many crave more meaningful communities where they can connect with others who share their interests.

Since the 1500s, Italian caffès have been a cultural trademark, much like the food and wine sectors. The phrase, “Ci prendiamo un caffè,” is a common invitation for quick friendly chats, whether in professional or social settings.

Abri explained that this practice originated in countries like Italy and France among the nobility, as the commoners were busy with daylong labour. Later, in countries like the U.S., it flipped as an everyday activity by the average worker. Ultimately, the popularized engagement was reintroduced to Italy as a practice by the publis, or the public.

He continued by saying, he joined the group to fulfil his dual aspirations: the chance to meet foreigners and to enhance his writing skills. He described his first experience as both astonishing and productive, having made significant improvements in his writing.

“It is not related to my idea of grabbing a coffee, because for me grabbing a coffee with someone means having an actual conversation and not sitting silently to write.”

He says this is not an art related to Italian heritage because Italians love talking to others.

Even though caffés serve as social scenes, it should not go unnoticed that Italians do take their coffee consumption rather earnestly. Some would go as far as three daily espresso shots accompanied with every meal, surreal to anyone vividly familiar with the intensity of a single shot. There is also quite the debate about where to get the best coffee and how to make it as well.

The first and quick growth of such spaces have been quite impactful. A group that began with less than seven people is now full to the brink with a waiting list on the side. One might not stop but to wonder just how this trend might evolve and its potential long-term impact on Italian culture.

Ark Republic met other Italians who frequent these groups, and they admitted that these collectives are not common in the region.

Abri said this is a great positive impact as there are not many events or places whereby foreigners and locals can be in the same group. According to him, such activities will change the way of socialising in Italy. For him and other Italians who want to improve on speaking other languages, and especially in a cosmopolitan city like Rome, these meetups offer great possibilities. In exchange, it provides expatriates an opportunity to integrate into Italian culture which can be conservative hence creating a lonely environment for non-Italians. Rome is a big city and it’s not simple to know your neighbours. Abri says that overtime, this is a movement that will influence majorly the socio-economic aspect.

He goes further to say that Rome was once considered the city of the world. He hopes that these kinds of activities will grow and provide a positive impact on Italy’s education, tourism and International Relations hence making Rome great again.

“Rome should be an international city, and some of the services we offer here are not user friendly. I hope that this kind of process will bring many more people to cities like Rome,” he lamented.