EDUCATION AND CULTURE

We are committed to fostering dialogue between the fields of education and culture, including through the implementation of emblematic initiatives.

Particularly significant in this sphere are:

Pavilion of the Holy See at the Venice Biennale Art Exhibition

The Foundation works together with the Dicastery for Culture and Education in the realization of the Holy See Pavilion at the International Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia.

The 2024 Pavilion – built inside the Giudecca Women’s Prison and entitled «With My Eyes» – is dedicated to the theme of human rights and, in particular, to the rights of the last, hidden and marginalized, where the eyes of the world rarely reach. In this way, it aims to contribute to the construction of the culture of encounter and solidarity, central to the Magisterium of Pope Francis (who visited the Pavilion on April 28, 2024).

The curators are Chiara Parisi and Bruno Racine. The works are entrusted to internationally renowned artists Maurizio Cattelan, Bintou Dembélé, Simone Fattal, Claire Fontaine, Sonia Gomes, Corita Kent, Marco Perego & Zoe Saldana, and Claire Tabouret.

Christmas Concert at the Vatican

The Foundation works together with the Dicastery for Culture and Education in the realization of the Christmas Concert at the Vatican, which invests the languages of art and culture in the promotion of education.

Over the years, the Concert has accompanied the Church’s journey: in 2019 it was dedicated to the Amazon, situating itself in continuity with the Synod of Bishops; in 2020 it confronted the educational emergencies caused by the pandemic and the need for an educational alliance, the Global Compact on Education; in 2021 it supported education in Lebanon and Haiti; the 2022 and 2023 editions invoked peace, in Ukraine and around the world. The 2024 edition will explore the theme of Hope, in view of the upcoming Jubilee.

Since 2021, the Concert has been enriched with an additional educational initiative: the Christmas Contest, a competition aimed at young people between the ages of 16 and 35, who are invited to produce unpublished pieces inspired by Christmas and its values.

Toward the 2025 Jubilee

The Jubilee will be held in 2025, with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
The Holy Year calendar will also be organized around some thematic events.

Our Foundation is preparing for the Jubilee of the World of Education, from October 30th to November 2nd next year.