22 September 2021, 18:00 CEST
Difficult heritage is a type of cultural heritage that reflects a strong social preoccupation with the past. It includes human remains, graves, concentration camps, memorials, monuments, and other elements of individual and community heritage whose main features reflect pain, fear, shame and loss.
It is directly linked to social practices of remembrance and cultural and ritual dimension of space, but also to national security and psychological health. Who has the knowledge and the right to interpret it and in which way?
Difficult heritage causes a great resonance in society. It is closely related to emotions and, often politicised and subjected to multiple approaches of interpretation, determines the path of development of our identity. It can be understood as a mirror for seeing ourselves and the window for understanding others. In that manner, what challenges do interpreters face?
Marko Trupković is an anthropologist working as a professional associate in one of Croatia’s protected areas, Žumberak – Samoborsko gorje Nature Park.
