The Homeland in the Literature and Music of Syrian-Lebanese Immigrants and their Descendants in Brazil

Abstract

In this study, we examine the notion of homeland among Syrian-Lebanese immigrants and their descendants in Brazil, a community that for almost one hundred years has established a prominent presence in the host country and has undergone significant social, political, and economic transformation. As we investigate the representations of the homeland in the realms of literature and music across several generations, we seek a better understanding of how this community has perceived and interpreted the concepts of roots, or place of origin. While exploring Syrian-Lebanese cultural production in light of the broader discourses on immigration/diaspora, our research addresses the position of the homeland in the immigrants' experience, as well as their own history and life in the new world.