Gastrofascism and Empire: Food in Italian East Africa, 1935-1941

The Food Studies Program and the Food and Social Justice Action Research Lab at The New School hosted on November 18, 2025 the book talk “Gastrofascism and Empire: Food in Italian East Africa, 1935-1941,” as a part of the Fall 2025 “Food and Democracy” series.

In this event, Dr. Simone Cinotto, author of “Gastrofascism and Empire: Food in Italian East Africa, 1935-1941” (2025 Bloomsbury Press) talked about the little-studied food histories of the short-lived Italian occupation of East Africa, exploring the circulation of bodies, food, and power within the empire. The presentation was followed by a participatory discussion.

The event was co-sponsored by the Julien J. Studley Graduate Programs in International Affairs and the African Studies Initiative at The New School.

The “Food and Democracy” event series – curated by the Food Studies Program and the Food & Social Justice Lab at The New School in 2025-26 – creates a space for reflection about democracy and liberation in, and through, the food system. The series has featured scholars, artists, students, faculty, and staff from across and beyond the university. Collectively, the events in the series expand the boundaries of collective learning and action through food, agriculture, popular education, art and civic engagement. The Food and Democracy series in 2025-26 is supported in part by The New School’s university-wide strategic initiative on Democracy and Culture.

Image credit: Monika Golakoti