Interpreting contested heritage : musealization of the idea of reconciliation on TikTok

In the domain of heritage governance, interpreting the remnants of the past that we would prefer to forget presents the greatest challenge for heritage managers. Although this issue has gained attention since the end of World War II, civil and inter-ethnic conflicts at the close of the 20th century have further amplified its relevance. These struggles were characterized by the deliberate destruction of others' heritage. If continuity with the past shapes our identity, bestows uniqueness, and differentiates us from others, can these remnants, interpreted from multiple perspectives, foster reconciliation? Who should determine what we will forget and remember, what we will preserve, and how we will interpret it? These are just some of the questions to which, even today, we have no precise answers, despite numerous UNESCO conventions and published works by leading experts. Starting from the premise that it is essential to change perspectives and approach the issue from the grassroots level, through engagement with local communities and universities, this paper aims to explore whether and to what extent it is possible to influence young people's attitudes toward the unwanted legacy of the past; how to musealize the concept of reconciliation, and whether TikTok, as a mode of communication, serves as an appropriate tool for its heritagization. The research was conducted during the summer semester of 2024 as part of the project Back to the Future or How to Make Peace with the Past in order to Create a Better Tomorrow Together, supported through the call Towards a Culture of Shared Future in Southeast Europe from the Regional Network of Centers for Advanced Studies of Southeast Europe.