L’incontro: An archive of Italian life in Scotland

School of Modern Languages invites you to discover ‘L’incontro: An archive of Italian life in Scotland’, an exhibition on display within the Buchanan Building from 16 May 2024. This curated collection of photographs and images offers a glimpse into the rich and diverse lives of Italians in Scotland spanning the last century.

In collaboration between Professor Derek Duncan from the School of Modern Languages, Jackie Sangster from Historic Environment Scotland and student interns of the St Andrews Research Internship Scheme, Simi Singh and Eleanor Summers, ‘L’incontro’ showcases twelve thought-provoking archival pieces sourced from HES archives and SCRAN, accompanied by historical research, curated oral histories and from the stories shared on the #ItalianScotsArchives feed launched by SCRAN on X.

For Simi Singh and Eleanor Summers, participants in the St Andrews Research Internship Scheme and students of Italian, both with familial ties to Scotland and Italy, this project has sparked reflection on the Italianità within their own backgrounds as well as given them in-depth insight into the lasting impact of Italian Scots across Scotland and within the local community of St Andrews. Rather than leaning on sweeping historical narratives, this exhibition draws on microhistories, enabled through the use of HES archives and SCRAN, as well as through extensive research and engagement with oral histories.

Against the backdrop of Italian migration to Scotland, these images offer a contextual lens through which to understand the challenges, resilience, and contributions of Italian immigrants to their adopted homeland. From everyday moments to significant cultural milestones, each photograph offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Italian life in Scotland, inviting visitors to engage with and reflect on the diverse transnational narratives woven into the fabric of Scottish society.

The exhibition is on display from 16 May 2024 onwards in the Buchanan Building, Union Street, St Andrews, KY16 9PQ.

The Broughton Confectionary and Refreshment Saloon (1907)
© Scottish Life Archive, National Museums of Scotland
Licensor www.scran.ac.uk