Issues and Changes Related to Dissonant Heritage: a Case from Jewish and Polish Heritage in the Small Towns of Western Ukraine

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study presents and analyzes the cases of “dissonant heritage” issues in areas characterized by multicultural backgrounds and conflicting historical narratives. Contrasting trends, which include persistent or resurgent one-sided nationalistic representations, as well as more inclusive and plural emerging trends in heritage promotion, are compared and discussed through the example of three selected towns located in Western Ukraine. The three towns were selected among others as representative of formerly multiethnic communities now turned into ethnically homogeneous ones, where minority heritage shows different degrees of neglect or promotion, in order to understand which aspects of history, memory, and heritage have been selected and promoted or not, and why. The study results show the rise of inclusive narratives in which minority heritage, with the related historical memories, rather than a menace for national cohesion, can become a solid opportunity for local development and for cultural, social, and political pluralism in marginal areas.