Studying World Heritage in the Netherlands - Part 2

What can one learn from three days of fieldwork on Texel? As it turns out, quite a bit. Visiting the exhibition “Garde Robe” at Kaap Skil museum, I came across a successful example of a museum sharing its authority with members of the community.

Henrike Florusbosch • May 31, 2016

The Anti-Politics of World Heritage

In the late 1990s, Mt. Kenya obtained World Heritage status for its unique natural features. Natural-scientific rhetoric underpinned the designation - and covered up the politics at play.

Marlous van den Akker • May 23, 2016 • 1 comment

Culture: Public or Private?

Looking at the present situation in many countries we have the impression that culture, museums and heritage have always been state financed affairs. Yet, historical reality might offer us a different picture.

Pieter ter Keurs • April 01, 2016

Future heritage? The 'Historic Urban Landscape' approach in Zanzibar and Amsterdam

What can Zanzibar Town in Tanzania learn about managing world heritage from Amsterdam, and vice versa? At least one thing: that intangible heritage is not a matter of the past, and that its purpose - its future – may ‘conserve’ it most effectively.

Peter Pels • February 11, 2016

Hysterical Heritage? Reflections on the Dutch King’s Golden Carriage

The anthropology of material culture teaches us what things can do to people. But do we understand the cultural effects of a hysterical object like the Dutch monarchy’s Golden Carriage?

Peter Pels • September 28, 2015 • 2 comments

Mali’s Heritage: Beyond Timbuktu

Mali is in the news because of the deployment of Dutch military personnel. Media coverage conjures up images of the 2012 destruction of Timbuktu’s World Heritage mausoleums and mosques. Might heritage also have a role in bringing peace and national unity?

Henrike Florusbosch • June 04, 2014

Roots 'en route': redesigning cultural heritages after migration

Europe is said to be endowed with creativity because of its migrant youth, mixing heritages. But cultural diversity can only be a source of innovation if lost roots are dug up. Can new technology and museums provide help?

Janine Prins • April 28, 2014

Nelson Mandela and the politics of mourning

Nelson Mandela has died at the respectable age of 95. But his political life is far from over: he will become a powerful ancestor.

Erik Bähre • December 09, 2013 • 1 comment

Carrying a talisman: a valid fieldwork method

Some fieldwork encounters radically change our perspective. However, it often seems that such encounters depend more on a dose of good luck than on careful planning. My research as well took a radically different turn after one such lucky rendezvous.

Marlous van den Akker • December 02, 2013

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