Cosmopolitanism in Europe and the Venice Biennale

Monica Sassatelli, from the University of London, introduces the notion of cosmopolitanism as a spectrum ranging from political norms to cultural practices.

She defines cosmopolitanism as a disposition to cultural diversity, the ability and willingness to experience diverse cultures. She argues that Europe needs to develop this disposition.

Then she takes the example of the Venice Biennale, created in 1895, to analyse how cosmopolitanism plays out. The Venice Biennale displays national pavilions representing the art worlds of a variety of nations and puts them in dialogue. Despite the criticisms against this model of national pavilion, it has prevailed and expanded to even more countries. Thereby, the biennial has become a space of cosmopolitan possibilities, questioning the nation and the international system.

Share your opinion:

Do you think that the Biennale is a positive example to promote diversity and cohesion in Europe?