Музейні практики як інструмент формування національної ідентичності та суспільної консолідації

The article analyses the formation of national identity and social consolidation through museum practices, which serve as an essential tool for preserving cultural heritage and historical memory, as well as for affirming national values. This study places a particular emphasis on examining the works of foreign researchers who explore the role of museums in creating collective memory, strengthening social cohesion, and shaping identity. Key concepts and practical approaches developed within academic circles are reviewed. It is substantiated that museums play a critically important role in fostering national identity and societal consolidation, promoting the national narrative in the context of informational confrontation, and engaging in cultural diplomacy on the international stage. Amid the war in Ukraine, museums have become not only repositories of historical memory but also active participants in the struggle for Ukrainian sovereignty. The article examines the key functions of museums as cultural institutions that contribute to preserving and transmitting national memory, shaping perceptions of the nation, and integrating various social groups into a unified community. The study analyses the role of museum exhibitions, educational programs, cultural events, and memory policies in the processes of national identification and civic unity, as well as the impact of museums on political processes and the development of cultural and memory policies in the face of contemporary challenges and modern trends in museum practices. Successful examples of Ukrainian museums that actively use modern trends to shape national identity are analysed. It is proven that museums can serve as an effective mechanism for societal consolidation through creating an inclusive interpretation of history that considers the interests of all social and ethnic groups; popularizing national heroes, symbols, and values; utilizing modern interactive methods to engage a broad audience; and organizing discussions, exhibitions, and other events that promote dialogue among different segments of the population.