The Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh, has been established on 1st January 1979 as a section of the Italian Cultural Institute, London, and became independent in 2001. The activities of the Institute have been constantly increasing and the range of events has widened and this has meant a big expansion and a move to larger premises. The Institute started as an office within the Italian General Consulate at 6, Melville Crescent, and later on moved to 2, Melville Crescent. From 1st July 1998 to the present time, the Institute is housed at 82, Nicolson Street. The official opening of the Institute was attended by Senator Susanna Agnelli Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and by the Italian Ambassador to UK Boris Biancheri.