Diversity of Belonging in Europe: Public Spaces, Contested Places, Cultural Encounters

This book explores the complexities of identity and belonging in contemporary Europe, examining how cultural encounters with difference and change shape spaces and places of belonging. It highlights the significance of diverse community, grassroots, and activist groups in renegotiations of belonging and the role of cultural, heritage, and memory practices in shaping peoples sense of identity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 27 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate tapestry of identity and belonging in contemporary Europe, exploring the multifaceted dimensions of these concepts within the ever-evolving landscape of the continent. Through a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, it examines the intricate processes of creation, negotiation, and (re)use of diverse spaces and places that shape individuals' sense of belonging. By examining these spaces in the context of a changing Europe, the book sheds light on their fascinating complexities, highlighting the interplay between cultural encounters, difference, and change.

The book employs a rich array of case studies to unravel the profound significance of the participation or exclusion of various community, grassroots, and activist groups in the practices and discourses of belonging, particularly in the face of emerging identity conflicts and the political appropriation of the past across Europe. These case studies provide a deep understanding of the ways in which peoples' sense of belonging is intricately linked to cultural, heritage, and memory practices undertaken in diverse public spaces, including museums, cultural and community centers, city monuments, built heritage, neglected urban spaces, and online forums.

By examining these diverse contexts, the book offers a valuable contribution to the existing bodies of work on identities, migration, public space, memory, and heritage. It appeals to scholars and students with a keen interest in contested belonging, public spaces, and the role of culture and heritage in shaping our understanding of identity and place. This thought-provoking work encourages us to reexamine our assumptions about identity, belonging, and the spaces we inhabit, fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities and nuances of our shared European heritage.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032042381