Europe's (UN )common heritage(s)

Abstract

Although it draws on the past, the concept of heritage is rooted in the present and is used selectively for contemporary purposes. European institutions have reinforced the concept of a common European heritage, which is shared by all nation-states. In drawing on the discourse of heritage, there is an attempt to consolidate a narrative of European universal values. This paper critiques the vision of a common European heritage in the consolidation of European identity and assesses the idea of shared heritage as an instrument of social cohesion.