Music, emotions and migration
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Loretta Baldassar: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6246-4773
Manonita Ghosh: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0522-1959
Simone Marino: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6349-6013
Abstract
Migration is a process full of contrasting emotions, reflecting the ambivalence of belonging/unbelonging. Both departure from homeland and settlement in a new land inspire sadness around loss, as well as hope around new opportunities. This emotional ambivalence is captured by the theory of migration as a double absence: absence from the home country due to emigration, and absence from the host country due to not being fully integrated. Art and artivism play an important role in addressing this double absence by expressing and helping to process these emotions, as well as supporting the formation of new diaspora identities, communities and wellbeing. Ageing and the onset of dementia among migrant communities adds a third absence – loss of self and cultural identity, which often leads to a form of social death. Our research shows that music and art are effective tools in responding to this triple absence.
Document Type
Book Chapter
Date of Publication
1-1-2025
Publication Title
Elgar Encyclopedia of Global Migration: New Mobilities and Artivism
Publisher
Edward Elgar Publishing
School
School of Arts and Humanities
RAS ID
77920
Copyright
subscription content
First Page
412
Last Page
414
Comments
Baldassar, L., Ghosh, M., & Marino, S. (2025). Music, emotions and migration. In Elgar Encyclopedia of Global Migration (pp. 412-414). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035300389.ch133