Chosen Legacies ─ Heritage in Regional Identity

Arguing that heritage typically plays one of only a distinct set of roles in the process in which regional identities are formed, this book deepens the understanding of how heritage works in regional identities in Western Europe. These regional identities vary from traditional and past-oriented, to strategic and future oriented, in which particular narratives on the past appear more useful than others for present day purposes. Three case studies in various European regions underline these arguments and cover contemporary and political uses and re-uses of heritage from different periods, such as the Roman era, the Middle Ages and the Second World War. Adopting theoretical notions and methodologies from multiple academic disciplines, such as geography, history, heritage studies and to a lesser extent on anthropology, spatial planning, archaeology and sociology, the book provides an integrated and yet broad exploration of regional identities and the narratives in which heritage takes central stage. The conceptual basis of the argument is reinforced by three case studies; each with its distinctive scope. This enables a reflection on uses of the past in the present in multiple regions, but also sheds light on the history of the re-use of the past, which in many cases heavily determines what narratives underlie regional identity construction. These case studies focus on regional identity narratives, which are manifest in heritage tourism, spatial planning, region marketing and cultural policies, such as commemorative re-enactments, the reconstruction of a medieval tower, the development of new museums and candidacies for the European Capital of Culture.

Linde Egberts is assistant professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and guest researcher at Technical University Delft in the field of heritage studies. She was trained as a cultural historian and geographe. Her research interests are in the field of European and regional heritage, identity, landscape, tourism and spatial development.