Publication: "Governing Heritage Dissonance"

The European Cultural Foundation has recently published Governing Heritage Dissonance: Promises and Realities of Selected Cultural Policies, a book by Višnja Kisić. The publication results from the winning project of the 2013 edition of the Cultural Policy Research Award. Drawing on illuminating case studies from South East Europe, Kisić connects heritage studies and cultural policies with issues of difference, conflict and reconciliation, prompting readers to rethink how we approach the past and deal with diversities between cultures, nations and generations at a time of increasing fragmentation across Europe. Her  analysis suggests ways of approaching common heritage that could open up avenues to a better design for Europe’s common future. The research departs from the notion of 'dissonant heritage', as a discord or lack of agreement in the way the past is represented and interpreted by different actors, but suggests the use of 'heritage dissonance' instead, which acknowledges that any heritage has dissonance as a quality, and that its meanings are contingent. Among the case studies examined in the research are sites proposed for the World Heritage List, travelling exhibitions, museums and archives, coming from different countries in South East Europe. Višnja Kisić is a researcher, lecturer and manager in the field of heritage management, interpretation and policy, with special focus on heritage, community engagement and mediation. She is researching and lecturing at the Centre for Museology and Heritology, University of Belgrade and the UNESCO Chair in Cultural Policy and Management, University of Arts, Belgrade. A trainer and consultant in heritage-related projects and professional capacity-building programmes for heritage professionals in several countries, she also has a number of years of experience in the public and civil sectors in heritage. "Governing Heritage Dissonance" is available as a free download from the website of the European Cultural Foundation, and printed copies can also be ordered for free. For additional information, please visit http://www.culturalfoundation.eu/library/cpra-2013