By Manfred Pfister, Ralf Hertel

Nationwide id isn't a few clearly given or metaphysically sanctioned racial or territorial essence that purely has to be conceptualised or spelt out in discursive texts; it emerges from, takes form in, and is consistently outlined and redefined in person and collective performances. it really is in performances-ranging from the situations of daily interactions to 'cultural performances' equivalent to pageants, fairs, political manifestations or activities, to the creative performances of track, dance, theatre, literature, the visible and culinary arts and newer media-that cultural id and a feeling of nationhood are formed. nationwide identification isn't really an essence one is born with yet whatever obtained in and during performances. rather very important listed here are intercultural performances and transactions, and that not just in a colonial and postcolonial size, the place such performative points have already been thought of, but additionally in inner-European transactions. 'Englishness' or 'Britishness' and Italianit?, the topic of this anthology, are staged either inside of every one tradition and, extra importantly, in joint performances of distinction throughout cultural borders. appearing distinction highlights changes that 'make a difference'; it 'draws a line' among self and other-boundary traces which are, despite the fact that, always being redrawn and renegotiated, and stay instable and moving.