Reflections of a blow-in after 25 years living in Cork

Ahead of St Patrick's Day, Vittorio Buffacchi reflects on his two and half decades living in Cork and the connection between identity and place

‘Arts and culture are, and always have been, an integral part of the fabric of Irish society.’ File picture: Andy Gibson

I moved to Cork just over 25 years ago. I’ve lived in Cork longer than anywhere else I have lived during a nomadic life that has taken me from my birthplace in Rome, to my current place of residence on the northside of Cork, via Canada, England, the United States, a short stint in Venezuela, and yes, also one year in Dublin.

Like all peripatetic philosophers, you could argue that spiritually I have no fixed abode, a perpetual voyager without a strong sense of identity, but that’s not the case.