A Imprensa Imigrante: Uma Fonte de Representação de Identidades Reais e Simbólicas1

Abstract

The immigrant press usually show elements that provide direct contact with the roots and origins of nationality involved as well as its representation. The objective of this research is to verify if in the content of these newspapers there are represented subjects that promote the cultural identity of the group and if, even today, this identity (real or symbolic) is recognized by community members. For this, we propose a Content Analysis of newspapers O Lusitano and El Correo Gallego – that circulated in Rio de Janeiro, in the early twentieth century – and conducting Focus Groups with Portuguese and Spanish immigrants (Galician) in Brazil. As a result, we highlight that the media focused on immigrants contribute to a social representation and timeless identity that, even if it is symbolic and not applicable in daily life, has a strong presence in the community's imagination, and acting as recognition and belong’s source.