Post-multicultural challenges for cultural heritage managers and museums in the age of migrations

Abstract

The crisis of multiculturalism is commonly associated with the intensification of international migrations and their consequences in the host countries. The relevance of this work – supported by exploratory research based on the implementation of multiple methods – is the proposal of an alternative to the current Western discourse on the phenomenon of international migrations and its political and sociocultural long-term impact. In this context, culture is an essential element to spread the values of tolerance, dialogue and mutual understanding. The role of culture and cultural heritage is thus emphasised not only within the process of integration of refugees and asylum seekers, but also as measure to overcome the identity crisis occurring in Western countries, which in turn we believe to be among the main causes of the crisis of multiculturalism. In this context, cultural heritage managers’ new responsibilities are complex: on the one hand, to boost public participation in enhancing local heritage, on the other, to support migrants’ cultures and the promotion of intercultural competencies within society.