Another output of my project on events with Lukasz Swiatek is out: a book chapter in the second edition of The Routledge Handbook of Soft Power. In this chapter, we look at Expo 2020 Dubai and we make a twofold argument: first, that the events’ soft power is anchored in virtuosity and, second, that the events continue to remain attractive for wielding soft power due to their spectacular nature and appeal to, and function as, entertainment. This attractiveness endures despite the COVID-19 pandemic having changed the dynamics of many large-scale events.

You can access the chapter here or email me if you would like a copy.