Episode 163 – Legal Sightseeing with Sofia Stolk and Renske Vos

Legal sightseeing combines tourism with international law, offering a unique lens to examine how legal institutions and norms manifest in public spaces. The concept, pioneered by Dr. Sofia Stolk and Dr. Renske Vos, Associate Professors in International Law at VU Amsterdam, explores the intersection of law, architecture, and public engagement.

Stolk and Vos began their project, Legal Sightseeing, as a blog before expanding it into organized events for students, practitioners, and the general public. Their work includes publications such as *International Law and Architecture* and *Legal Sightseeing and International Law*, which examine how international law presents itself to the public and how people experience it. Legal sightseeing can take many forms—from visiting international courts like the International Criminal Court (ICC) or the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to examining everyday objects like a cookie jar adorned with peace letters.

The concept emphasizes the tangible and intangible ways international law permeates society. "There is something about really experiencing it for yourself or visiting an energy that lingers in places that is really felt and that is important for people," Stolk noted. The approach highlights that international law is not confined to courtrooms but is embedded in public memory, architecture, and even consumer goods.

During a recent discussion on the podcast *Asymmetrical Haircuts*, Stolk and Vos explained how legal sightseeing challenges traditional perceptions of international law. By engaging with sites such as the ICC in The Hague or the former International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), participants gain new perspectives on how justice is symbolized and perceived. The activity of "legal sightseeing" can be as simple as enjoying an ice cream outside the Peace Palace, the seat of the ICJ, or exploring exhibitions related to international law.

The concept also bridges gaps between professionals and the public. Vos recounted an instance where she and a colleague, both international law experts, attended a live broadcast of the ICJ’s advisory opinion on climate change. While the colleague focused on the opinion’s gaps, activists celebrated its confirmation of legal principles. Despite differing interpretations, both groups shared a common space, reflecting the broader public’s engagement with international law.

Stolk and Vos recommend further exploration through cultural and artistic mediums. Stolk suggested the documentary *Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat*, which examines the relationship between jazz and decolonization during the Cold War, while Vos highlighted the *FUNGI: Anarchist Designers* exhibition in Rotterdam, curated by anthropologist Anna Tsing and artist Feifei Zhou.

Legal sightseeing underscores the idea that international law is not an abstract concept but a lived experience shaped by architecture, public memory, and everyday encounters. By blending tourism with legal education, Stolk and Vos offer a novel way to engage with the institutions and ideas that govern global affairs.