IBSA Foundation - Cultura e Salute

Introduced in 2021 within the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences at USI by IBSA Foundation and the Culture Division of the City of Lugano, Switzerland's first university course in Cultura e Salute opens a new and highly relevant academic pathway. The course is designed to explore the benefits of the relationship between experiencing culture and an individual's health.

The course aims to delve into the role of the arts and cultural participation in enhancing the physical and mental well-being of individuals and communities. It also seeks to equip future doctors with the interpretive tools to understand the impact of culture on health, through the analysis of experiences and best practices in scientific and medical fields.

Each edition of the course consists of seven sessions, open to the public as well as to students and doctoral candidates from the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Architecture, and Communication at USI.

In collaboration with local organisations, partners, and exceptional speakers, the course offers medical students and beyond a valuable tool to fully understand the context in which they operate. It also aims to raise awareness that culture, in all its forms, can be a true form of healing.

2024 Edition

Visual Arts and Health

The 2024 edition of the USI Cultura e Salute (Culture and Health) course takes a decisive step into the field of visual arts. It involves artistic practices that relate to visual perception, which range from painting to photography, architecture to film, sculpture to digital art, and design to performance.

Learn about 2024 edition

2023 Edition

Healing words

"Healing Words" is the third edition of the Culture and Health course, focusing on the importance of words, emotions, and storytelling for individual well-being. The lessons were accompanied by seven readings on the theme, curated by LAC (Lugano Art and Culture).

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2022 Edition

Healing through music

People from the world of science and lecturers from the USI Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, co-ordinated by Prof Enzo Grossi, have discussed seven topics linking music to medicine and people’s wellbeing on seven Mondays from October to December 2022.

Learn more about 2022 edition

2021 Edition

Cultura e Salute

Seven meetings in which speakers discussed how art and cultural participation influence an individual’s physical and mental wellbeing, presenting new perspectives on the privileged relationship between the two spheres.