Pluralism as a framework for cultural memory and heritage narratives

Andrea TRENTA

Master's thesis

The case-study of St. Virgin Mary of the Snows, Olomouc (CZ)

Pluralistic heritage as a framework for inclusive urban narratives and shared heritage: the case study of St. Virgin Mary of the Snows, Olomouc (CZ)

Abstract:

The past, either perceived as a burden, a cornerstone of identity, or a source of pride, has a deep influence on people's lives. The past is remembered primarily in the form of narratives; by employing media (texts, images, sculptures) people can transmit the narratives of certain past events among peers and across generations. The most meaningful past narratives of a group form its cultural memory: their content is stable, and despite their chronological distance, people perceive them as close to their emotions; the past narratives related what is inherited by a group constitute its heritage: their interpretation tend to change according to the group's present needs, and they evoke a sense of possession. Cultural memory and heritage narratives are characterised by a lack of agreement about their content, who is responsible for their transmission, and to whom they are directed. Given the role played by the past in people's lives, disagreement on key narrative can legitimise or generate conflicts, inequalities, symbolic and material destruction. Aiming towards an open and free society, based on the ideal-types outlined by the philosophers Karl Popper and Paul Feyerabend, this thesis proposes a pluralistic framework to construct and interpret cultural memory and heritage narratives. To demonstrate the need to adopt a pluralistic framework, this thesis will analyse the case study of St. Virgin Mary of the Snows' church, located in Olomouc, (CZ). This case study has been selected for its relation with two aspects of European society, which are now neglected but played a critical role in its development: religious faith and the military. This thesis argues that adopting a pluralistic framework for St. Virgin Mary of the Snows' cultural memory and heritage narrative would enrich the public sphere by providing alternative, transcendental perspectives about basic conditions and questions of the human existence.

Abstract:

The past, either perceived as a burden, a cornerstone of identity, or a source of pride, has a deep influence on people's lives. The past is remembered primarily in the form of narratives; by employing media (texts, images, sculptures) people can transmit the narratives of certain past events among peers and across generations. The most meaningful past narratives of a group form its cultural memory: their content is stable, and despite their chronological distance, people perceive them as close to their emotions; the past narratives related what is inherited by a group constitute its heritage: their interpretation tend to change according to the group's present needs, and they evoke a sense of possession. Cultural memory and heritage narratives are characterised by a lack of agreement about their content, who is responsible for their transmission, and to whom they are directed. Given the role played by the past in people's lives, disagreement on key narrative can legitimise or generate conflicts, inequalities, symbolic and material destruction. Aiming towards an open and free society, based on the ideal-types outlined by the philosophers Karl Popper and Paul Feyerabend, this thesis proposes a pluralistic framework to construct and interpret cultural memory and heritage narratives. To demonstrate the need to adopt a pluralistic framework, this thesis will analyse the case study of St. Virgin Mary of the Snows' church, located in Olomouc, (CZ). This case study has been selected for its relation with two aspects of European society, which are now neglected but played a critical role in its development: religious faith and the military. This thesis argues that adopting a pluralistic framework for St. Virgin Mary of the Snows' cultural memory and heritage narrative would enrich the public sphere by providing alternative, transcendental perspectives about basic conditions and questions of the human existence.

Keywords

Pluralism, Cultural Memory, Heritage, Narrative, Religion

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 18. 8. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. Tomáš Parma, Ph.D.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Humanities / Euroculture