Identità assassine. La violenza e il bisogno di appartenenza

“Since I left Lebanon in 1976 to move to France, I have been asked countless times, with the best of intentions, whether I felt ‘more French’ or ‘more Lebanese.’ I invariably reply: ‘Both!’ Not out of a desire for balance or fairness, but because to answer differently would be a lie. What makes me who I am and not someone else is my existence between two countries, between two or three languages, and between several cultural traditions. It is precisely this that defines my identity.”

Starting from this simple and seemingly harmless question, Amin Maalouf challenges the very concept of identity we are accustomed to. He analyzes the passions it arouses and the dangers it can create if misused or misunderstood. With clear and precise prose, this essay raises and develops vital, timeless questions with wisdom and lucidity—reflecting concern and fear, but above all, hope.

Author: Amin Maalouf (أَمِين مَعْلُوف)

He is a world-renowned Lebanese-born French author and a member of the Académie Française. Known for his deep historical insights and elegant prose, his work often explores themes of identity, civilization, and the intersections of East and West.