The right of access to culture in crisis contexts

Over the last few years many scholars have endeavored to raise awareness about the need to protect the right of access to culture, both from an individual and a societal perspective. A profound discussion of the relevance of the right to culture proves to be particularly necessary in crisis contexts, and this study aims to reflect on the fulfillment of cultural rights during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic emergency, which has considerably affected its realization at a global level. Sketching out interpretive touchstones for the definition of cultural rights, this paper offers some theoretical groundings, as well as the description of some practical exemplary cases which have emerged in the current critical context. More specifically, it discusses the role of digitalization in preserving the right of access to culture. Ultimately, this analysis shows that this current historical moment offers both exceptional opportunities and pressing challenges for the actual protection of this right.