‘Cultural Diplomacy’ at The Beirut Spring Festival 2015

International institutions working in the field of relief and political development usually come to a country going through conflict and difficult political transitions; then leave. Inversely, international cultural centers and institutes have very often a much longer presence on the ground. Their interaction with local artists, teachers and thinkers allow them to develop a different understanding of realities and a better informed viewpoint on the future of societies. The discussion will focus on the role of these institutions within the current changing times, amid a growing debate between supporters of universal values and proponents of cultural relativism.

Speakers: Antonin Baudry (Institut français, France); Eduardo Lopez Busquets (Casa Arabe, Spain); Graham Sheffield (British Council, UK)
Moderator: Nora Joumblatt (Beiteddine Festival, Lebanon)

The Beirut Spring Festival, created and launched in 2009 by the Samir Kassir Foundation, is inspired by the title of one of the last articles written by Samir Kassir, shortly before his assassination in 2005.

Free Admission

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