Aspen Institute & Friends of Florence Host Dante & the Origins of the World

Events in the U.S.

August 23, 2016

 -  August 26, 2016

Bill Cook and Ross King will lead a seminar on Dante and the Origins of the World. The three half-day sessions will explore Dante’s life and writings in order to realize how his work influenced the world of the Italian Renaissance, and how, seven centuries after it was written, his poetry still speaks to us today. The program will take place August 23-26, 2016 in Aspen. To register, please click here. Friends of Florence supporters may purchase more than one ticket. More information about the event is below.
August 23-26, 2016
Opening reception followed by three half-day sessions
Lauder Room, Koch Building

“O you whose intellects are sane and well, / Look at the teaching which is here concealed / Under the unfamiliar veil of verses.” – Dante Alighieri

What teachings does Dante conceal in his “veil of verses”? In fact, the Divine Comedy teaches us about virtually everything. It is an encyclopedia that illuminates politics, history, justice, religion, ethics, art, friendship, and love. It teaches about freedom, responsibility, and what it means to be human. The great Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, who called the Divine Comedy the best and most moving book ever written, said that no one should deny themselves the pleasures of reading Dante.