Biography
Matilde Caldas is a PhD candidate in Culture Studies at the School of Human Sciences, Catholic University of Portugal. She graduated in Anthropology at New University of Lisbon, holds a Post-Graduation in International Cultural Relations and a Master degree in Culture Studies from Catholic University of Portugal. She also coordinates the project Orchestra Geração - a musical and social project. Her main research interests are cultural policies, urban studies, and artistic practices and social inclusion.
Doctoral Project
Title
Lisbon Municipality Cultural Policies - a critical approach to the concepts of cosmopolitanism and cultural citizenship
Advisor
Peter Hanenberg
Abstract
Cities face today the multiple challenges of their cultural diversity. It is the aim of this work to analyse the concepts of cosmopolitanism and cultural citizenship in the discourses produced by Lisbon City Council, seen here as an institution which plays a crucial role in the legitimization of cultural practices. It will be outlined the history of these concepts in academic literature so it can then be better understood the contemporary critical perspective of authors such as Ulrich Beck, Gerard Delanty or Ulf Hannerz. Furthermore, this work aims for a reflexive and multidimensional perspective which can only be achieved through an transcultural analysis (Welsh) and when assuming “the expediency of culture” (Yúdice). Cosmopolitanism and cultural citizenship present multiple problems regarding their definitions. As such it is important to discuss them, especially when they play a central role in the strategic documents produced by Lisbon City Council.
