Gli «anni dell'Africa». Riflessioni e memorie su una cesura epocale.

The 60th anniversary of 1960, the «year of Africa», which embraces events spanning the five-year period from 1957-1962, has received only superficial attention in the media and in the academic world. This neglect applies above all, but is certainly not limited, to Italy, and is surprising for a number of reasons. That pivotal moment has become more and more significant within the context of contemporary phenomena and processes -- namely decolonisation and globalisation -- as well as the emergence of new political and institutional priorities. To these we need to add the impact of the events on the pre-1968 generations. In this light we have asked four Italian academics, with different age and research profiles, to reflect on how those events influenced their life and work choices, as well as what responses they elicit today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]