Eastern African Cultures from the Italian Occupation to the Present – 30 October 2026, 9.45 am–1.00 pm, Senate House, London

The event Eastern African Cultures from the Italian Occupation to the Present will take place on 30 October 2026 at Senate House, London.

This half-day event explores the historical and contemporary relationship between Italy and East Africa through food culture, colonial history and diaspora.

The programme will include a discussion with Prof. Simone Cinotto (UGS, Italy) and respondent Dr Sara Marzagora (King’s College London) about his recent book, Gastrofascism and Empire: Food in Italian East Africa, 1935–1941, followed by an audience discussion.

The event will also feature a screening of the documentary Asmarina: Voices and Images of a Postcolonial Heritage, which explores the East African diaspora in contemporary Italy, followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Medhin Paolos.

Through these different perspectives, the event highlights both the impact of colonialism on everyday cultural practices and the resilience and historical significance of East African cultural traditions.

The programme will begin at 9.45 am with an institutional welcome by Charles Burdett (ILCS Director), followed by welcome remarks from Patrizia Sambuco (GBS/Oxford Brookes University) and Victoria Witkowski (University of Southern Denmark). The event will conclude at 1.00 pm.

The event is organised by Dr Patrizia Sambuco and Dr Victoria Witkowski.

Attendance is free, but advance registration is required. Please register using the Book Now button on the event page:

https://ilcs.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/eastern-african-cultures-italian-occupation-present