How can performing arts and urban sport enhance social inclusion and interculturalism in the public space?: An explorative ethnography of migrants' performances in the city of Milan, Italy

Following an ethnographic approach, the study explores the meaning of inclusion and intercultur-Following an ethnographic approach, this study explores the meanings of inclusion and interculturalism as conveyed by some performing arts and urban sport groups in the city of Milan. Results show a big presence of young people in public space, with a massive participation of young immigrants coming from the Philippines and South America. Concerning social inclusion, the groups revealed an implicit agreement of space sharing and self-regulation which testify to a predisposition to openness with others. The real acknowledgment of diversity, which is a specificity of interculturalism, occurs only under particular circumstances: during the performer-spectator relationship, and when practitioners belonged to the same disciplines. The research also shows the presence of transcultural processes among these practices.