The role of visual language between Multiculturalism and Cultural Heritage

The paper describes the project "Metamorphosis in a changing world: the role of culture and heritage in the society transformation" proposed by Sapienza University of Rome, University of Aix en Provence and the Free University of Brussels, with the collaboration of the University of RomaTRE, within the CIVIS program funded by the European Commission with Erasmus+ European Universities. In the context of the general project, the CIVIS School titled "Multiculturalism and Cultural Heritage" is then described, particularly the edition named “Rediscovering, telling and sharing the visual imprints and fragments of the Metamorphosis” which took place in Rome from 27 June to 8 July 2022. This experience focused on the role of visual language in the enhancement of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, due to the potential that this language has to act not only on the cognitive-rational level but also on the affective-emotional one. Starting from the exploration of the city of Rome, a melting pot of European and non-European identities, the students rediscovered the multicultural footprints by experimenting with visual and verbal language, storytelling, digital technologies and new media.