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.