Grenada National Pavilion.

Echoes of Knowledge. Reawakening the National Library.

Grenada Arts Council, Coffee Street, Calliste, St. George’s, Grenada – 21.01.2025

After seven consecutive editions, Grenada’s participation in the La Biennale di Venezia has become no longer an option, but a must. With the unwavering support of the Ministry of Culture, Grenada is leading the Caribbean in establishing a locus of artistic and architectural excellence.

This year’s Biennale Architettura 2025, curated by Carlo Ratti, is entitled ‘Intelligens’. Inspired by the Latin root ‘gens’, meaning ‘people’, the theme envisions a future where intelligence is inclusive, imaginative and environmentally conscious. This vision finds concrete expression in Grenada’s project: a pavilion dedicated to the reopening of the public Library and National Archives, whose historic building has been unusable since 2011 due to structural damage caused by Hurricane Ivan.

Revitalising a cultural icon

Despite advocacy from community groups, research by academics, and efforts by successive governments, today the home of Grenada’s Public Library and National Archives, overlooking the harbour of the capital St George’s, sits like a silent spectre.

Empowered by the Minister of Culture, the Honorable Adrian Thomas, the Grenada Arts Council, through Commissioner Dr. Susan Mains, appointed a team of scholars to develop a research and project that will bring the issue of the library’s restoration and reopening to the international stage at the Biennale Architettura 2025.

Curators Fulvio Caputo and Luisa Flora, again advocates for Grenada’s presence in Venice, have proposed a study, research, and design process that aims to outline the optimal requirements for a library that is both future-oriented and integrated into the social, cultural and environmental context of the country. Their initiative combines architecture, community, and sustainability, and, most importantly, involves Grenadians through interviews, surveys and invitations for iconographic suggestions.

The initiative underscores the value of public libraries as cultural infrastructures that promote inclusion, intellectual freedom and lifelong learning. Public libraries are not mere repositories of books. They strengthen the social fabric and are symbols of shared knowledge, history and imagination.

‘Meta-project’ and ‘Symbol’: at the heart of the research

The research presented in the Pavilion and the catalogue is developed through two thematic areas dedicated to ‘Symbol’ and ‘Meta-project’, reflecting complementary perspectives that combine pragmatism and theoretical vision.

The ‘Meta-design’ section, between natural and collective intelligence, focuses on crafting an architectural identity adapted to Grenada’s unique environment, incorporating sustainable technologies and respecting local cultural needs.

The second area, ‘Symbol’, reflects on the role of architecture as a vehicle of identity, questioning the meaning and function of symbols in the contemporary context.

Grenadian architect Irina Kostka Da Silva, founder of the eponymous design studio in St George’s, introduces the ‘Meta-design’ section. Italian architects Giulia Conti and IUAV PhD Alessandro Virgilio Mosetti, the scientific directors of the other section of the exhibition, created a theoretical perspective on the role of the symbol within the architectural language.

To set the pavilion’s contents, the commissioner and curators chose the premises of La Toletta Spazioeventi as the exhibition venue: a space wallpapered with books that perfectly matches the contents of the Pavilion.

A collective effort

This ambitious project is possible thanks to an international cooperation process fostered by individuals. Commissioners, curators, scientific managers of the exhibition and catalogue, volunteers and citizens have joined forces to create more than just an exhibition.

In addition to the Government of Grenada, the Pavilion is supported by some sponsors from the Veneto region (ArpiArreda, Masiol Tecnoimpianti, Orseolo Restauri and C and C architettura ingegneria), convinced of the power of culture to unite, inspire and build.

With this project, Grenada reaffirms its commitment to transforming local challenges into global opportunities by enhancing cultural heritage and restoring spaces that empower individuals, protect history, respect the environment and build a hopeful, informed future.

Grenada’s participation in the Biennale is not only an opportunity to showcase the country to the world but also an act of responsibility toward its history and future. Presenting the results on the stage of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia will be invaluable to the local community.

Follow grenadavenice.org as the project unfolds.

Press information

Commissioner Susan Mains: susanmains@gmail.com

Curator Luisa Flora: lflora@candc.it