International experts and opinion leaders from over 20 countries explored the future of dissonant heritage during the second edition of Online Agora
International experts and opinion leaders from over 20 countries explored the future of dissonant heritage during the second edition of Online Agora
International practitioners, researchers, and opinion leaders from 21 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and North America came together to explore how we interpret, reuse, and reframe dissonant heritage through art, education, architecture, and public dialogue.
The international online event served as a vibrant platform for mutual learning, exchange of ideas and best practices on communicating and addressing dissonant heritage. Through a rich program of presentations, interactive workshops, and showcases of innovative projects, participants shared ideas and best practices on addressing dissonant heritage in contemporary contexts.
The event showed for the very first time the “Toolbox for Integrated Approaches to Dissonant Heritage”. It is the result of two research projects, during which consultations and in-depth interviews were conducted with dozens of dissonant heritage specialists from across Europe. The findings are structured into a practical toolkit designed to support decision-makers and professionals in their work with dissonant heritage. The event also revealed the interim results from the international project “Developing an Inclusive Process for Communicating Dissonant Heritage”.
Video recordings
Watch the video recordings of the presentations and discussions by clicking on the corresponding title below.
SESSION 1:
Presentations on Communicating Dissonant Heritage
- Involving Citizens in Communicating and Rethinking the Buzludzha Monument, Dora Ivanova, Buzludzha Project Foundation, Bulgaria
- Mosaics of voices. Process and Methodology in the case of former Collegio Aeronautico in Forlì, Dr. Leila Signorelli & Dr. Alessia Zampini, University of Bologna, ATRIUM, Italy
- From Past to Narrative: Building the Museographic Discourse of La Model Prison, Dr. Ricard Conesa, The European Observatory of Memories (EUROM) at the University of Barcelona, Spain
Toolbox for Integrated Approaches to Dissonant Heritage
Birgit Kann, German Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) & Jan Schultheiß, German Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB), Dr. Florian Sametinger, KITE Design Research
SESSION 2: WORKSHOPS
- How to Build an Initiative for a Dissonant Heritage Site, Buzludzha Project Foundation
- Participatory and Мulti-Layered Research. The use of Oral History Guidelines for Dissonant Heritage, University of Bologna and ATRIUM
- Exploring Historical Themes and Co-creating Exhibition Strategies, EUROM and EuroClio
- The Тoolbox for Dissonant Heritage – Voices From Local Practice, BBSR, BMWSB and KITE Design Research
SESSION 3: MARKETPLACE
Discover a wide range of innovative international projects on dissonant heritage. Watch the recordings from the 5 themed rooms by clicking on the relevant room title below. Each project contains 10 minutes of presentation, followed by 10 minutes of discussion and feedback. The topics and participants in each room can be found below.
- The Black Sea Defence Front and Socialist Heritage Research Update, Dumitru Rusu, BACU Association, Romania
- Vallo Alpino in South Tyrol – Survey on Fascist Era Defence System, Heimo Prünster, Independent researcher, Italy
- Ruins of Conflict: Interpretation of Dissonant Heritage in Post-war Failaka, Dr. Zainab Murtadhawi, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait
- New Heritage: Approaches to Conservation and Dissemination of Contemporary Monumental Façade Art in Bulgaria, Lyuba Manoilova, Balkan Heritage Foundation, Bulgaria
- Rethink, Protect and Communicate the Soviet Monumental Art Heritage in Ukraine, Elmira Ettinger, Association of Researchers and Restorers of Works of Monumental and Decorative Art and Architecture, Ukraine
ROOM 3: EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES
- Youth Mapping Belgrade’s Dissonant Heritage, Lidija Zupanic Suica, Education for the 21st Century, Serbia
- Freedom of Speech Beyond Borders – Interdisciplinary Educational Project, Helena Link, European Network Remembrance and Solidarity, Poland
- Dissonant Heritage Sites as Artistic Action Grounds, Judit Holp, Memento Park / Monumentum Public Benefit Foundation, Hungary
- R.R.M. Revolving Red Monuments: Collaborative Virtual Public Art, Assoc. Prof. Meredith Drum, Virginia Tech, USA
- Angry Mountain — A Film Exploring Buzludzha’s Sublime and Terrifying Presence, Snejina Latev, Film-maker, Sweden
- Teufelsberg in Berlin: From a Nazi University Faculty to a Street Art Gallery, Francisco Delgado Chica, University of Granada, Spain
- Mäusebunker and Hygieneinstitut – Two Berlin Brutalist Icons. Book Presentation, Ludwig Heimbach, ludwig heimbach architektur, Germany
- Bankya Residence: Reuse Initiative for the Abandoned Recreational Complex of the Bulgarian Communist Leader, Iliyan Stoykov & Mihail Sugarev, After Past Foundation, Bulgaria
The event is part of the project “Developing an Inclusive Process for Communicating Dissonant Heritage”, funded by CERV-2023-CITIZENS-REM of the European Commission.
It is organized by Buzludzha Project Foundation, in partnership with:
- The European Observatory of Memories (EUROM) at the University of Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Architecture, University of Bologna
- Atrium European Cultural Route – association and cultural route of the Council of Europe
- EuroClio – European Association of History Educators
In cooperation with:
