Heritage policy meets community praxis: Widening conservation approaches in the traditional villages of central Greece

Abstract

Disparities between experts' and local communities’ notions of heritage constitute a key area of concern in narratives on democratic and inclusive approaches to heritage conservation. However, the differentiating underlying reasons for heritage delineation remain underexplored. By examining official and local understandings of heritage in Greek traditional settlements, the current paper interrogates the factors behind heritage ascription and classification. Focusing on rural living heritage places and breaking through the ancient glorified Classical past, the paper sheds light on a less known, contemporary and lived heritage which is however equally important for the modern Greek identity. In the context of a profound authorised heritage discourse, the paper questions the tension between official heritage policy and community notions of heritage, revealing multi-layered and not necessarily contrasting knitting of heritage meanings, problematizing its role in fostering heritage co-production. • Complementarity rather than dichotomy between official and experienced notions of heritage. • Heritage delineation depends on multiple and not mutually exclusive factors. • The differentiating reasons behind heritage delineation can enrich its content. • Official approaches to heritage are often based on a specific prioritised heritage.