Biennale

/biːɛˈnɑːl/ noun

Definition

A major art exhibition or cultural festival that takes place every two years, especially famous ones like the Venice Biennale.

Etymology

From Italian 'biennale' (biennial), from Latin 'biennium' (bi- 'two' + annus 'year'), adopted into English to describe major recurring international art events.

Kelly Says

The Venice Biennale, founded in 1895, essentially created this word as a term of prestige—now every major art world event wants to be called a biennale, making it a marker of international cultural importance.

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