Walter Benjamin's Legacy Revisited in São Paulo Debate on Book Reissue
A debate centered around Jeanne Marie Gagnebin's reissued work, “Walter Benjamin: os cacos da história,” took place on September 24 at the Dom Paulo Evaristo Arns auditorium in PUC-SP. This event was organized by the university's Graduate Program in collaboration with the International Institute of Contemporary Studies. During the discussion, Gagnebin, who invited Carla Milani Damião and Marc Beret, critiqued the tendency in academia to favor publication over thoughtful reflection, connecting Benjamin's theories to Brazil's current political landscape. She emphasized that the term “cacos” signifies essential resistance. Beret underscored the bond between Benjamin and Bertolt Brecht in their fight against fascism, while Damião examined the concept of “salvador da destruição,” concluding with “Hashtag Ele Não.”
Key facts
- Debate held on September 24 at PUC-SP's Dom Paulo Evaristo Arns auditorium.
- Focused on reissue of Jeanne Marie Gagnebin's book “Walter Benjamin: os cacos da história.”
- Organized by PUC-SP, its Graduate Program, and the International Institute of Contemporary Studies.
- Participants included Jeanne Marie Gagnebin, Carla Milani Damião, and Marc Beret.
- Book cover inspired by Dani Karavan's sculpture homage to Walter Benjamin.
- Gagnebin linked the sculpture's metaphor to Brazil's current political climate.
- Discussion updated Benjamin's 1982 writings for contemporary relevance.
- Carla Milani Damião discussed Benjamin's concept of “salvador da destruição” using Bahian Independence.
Entities
Artists
- Jeanne Marie Gagnebin
- Carla Milani Damião
- Marc Beret
- Walter Benjamin
- Dani Karavan
- Bertolt Brecht
- Dag T. Andersson
Institutions
- PUC-SP
- Editora N-1
- International Institute of Contemporary Studies
- Federal University of Goiás
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Israel