Abstract

The concept of Humanism is a seminal turning point in Elias Canetti's work. A close reading of Canetti's Notebooks shows how important the reflection upon the meaning and destiny of the Humanities was for the Bulgarian writer. The essay focuses on the three main themes of Canetti's idea of humanism; the abandoning of eurocentrism; the defence of linguistic differences and minority cultures; the importance of metamorphosis as a moral and cultural experience.