This project aims to reassess the history of Italian colonialism in Africa, and the stories commonly told about it, by re-signifying the vast range of objects, documents and photographs collected by geographer and explorer Luigi Robecchi Bricchetti (1855–1926) and tracing their afterlives. We will offer new ways of understanding how Italian colonialism came about, by examining the information and objects he collected. We will ask how Bricchetti’s travels enhanced knowledge about Africa, facilitating Italy’s subsequent occupation of African territories, and how they created a cultural imaginary of (future) colonies.
Virtual Exhibition
Our virtual exhibition features photographs and 3D models of objects from Africa held in Pavia. It draws connections between Robecchi Bricchetti’s little-known collection and other institutions across the world that hold objects from East Africa.
Social Media
Follow @ItalianColonialAfterlives on Instagram for updates on our research.
Upcoming Events
21-22 January 2027. Academic workshop. "African Perspectives on Power, Expansion and Colonial Encounters." Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
28 January-3 February 2027. Partner visit and knowledge exchange programme (details to follow). Pavia.
Past Events
8-14 October 2026. SITAAD Residency. Spazio Fonte, Milan.
23-25 June 2026. Academic workshop. "Geographical Societies, Exploration, and African Collections between Egypt, Italy, and the Horn of Africa". Egyptian Geographical Society, 109 Shari’ al-Qasr al-Ayni, Cairo, Egypt.
28 May 2026. Public round table event. "Beyond the Commemoration of Luigi Robecchi Bricchetti: Africa and Italian Colonialism between History and Memory". Visconti Castle, Pavia.
15 May 2026. Public event. "Gazes on the Past: Luigi Robecchi Bricchetti between Memory and the Present. Science, Exploration, and Contemporary Responsibilities". Kosmos Museum, Pavia
14 May 2026. Talk and film screening led by Amir Remedan. "Preserving a Living Historic City: Harar Jugol". Culture House, London.
12 May 2026. Film Screening. "Tetuan, Tetuán, تطوان", directed by Adrian Schindler. Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Pavia.
28 April 2026. Seminar led by Francesca Di Pasquale. "'Technologies of Memory' In Postcolonial Italy. The Republic's Archival Policies within the Framework of the Decolonisation Process". Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Pavia.
19 April 2026. Walking Tour curated by Addes Tesfamariam and Rahel Sereke. "Making an Archive: Colonial Archives between Forgetting and Remembering. The Legacy of Robecchi Bricchetti in Pavia". Various stops in Pavia, including the Historical Civic Archive and the Kosmos Museum.