Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ECHOES (European Colonial Heritage Modalities in Entangled Cities)
Reporting period: 2019-02-01 to 2021-07-31
ECHOES addresses a pressing dilemma at the heart of contemporary Europe: the fact that while the history of empires and colonialism undoubtedly constitutes a shared European past, this past remains strangely silent in official narratives about Europe’s ‘heritage’. Yet, at the level of Europe’s cities – where colonial heritage is often manifested in monumental symbolism and architectural materiality – we simultaneously see an increasing willingness to engage with this often-problematic past in highly creative, reflexive, and transnationally open ways.
This inquiry is important because it touches on current debates about migration, trafficking and people smuggling. It also touches on questions relating to European integration and Europe’s relationship with its ex-colonies. 'Cultural distinctiveness’ has become an important register, not least for migrants from Europe’s ex-colonies, who enjoy a kind of ‘insider/outsider’ status. These preferences cannot be ignored or silenced. The challenge, rather, for European policymakers is to develop policies that are sensitive to cultural difference and place an emphasis on mutual co-operation.
Our objectives were 1) to theoretically and methodologically develop the idea of ‘de-colonial entanglements’ as a mode of transnational and global connectivity that entails new kinds of heritage practices between Europe and countries that were formerly colonized; 2) analyze the EU’s expanding engagement with ‘heritage politics’ through investigating the missing place of colonialism in key EU initiatives, policies and programs; 3) explore and assess heritage practices in European and non-European cities, focusing on city museums, artistic creations and citizen activities; and 4) share insights and knowledge via a form of science diplomacy, what we call 'intercultural heritage diplomacy', thereby introducing decolonial heritage practices into EU-level debates.
This inquiry is important because it touches on current debates about migration, trafficking and people smuggling. It also touches on questions relating to European integration and Europe’s relationship with its ex-colonies. 'Cultural distinctiveness’ has become an important register, not least for migrants from Europe’s ex-colonies, who enjoy a kind of ‘insider/outsider’ status. These preferences cannot be ignored or silenced. The challenge, rather, for European policymakers is to develop policies that are sensitive to cultural difference and place an emphasis on mutual co-operation.
Our objectives were 1) to theoretically and methodologically develop the idea of ‘de-colonial entanglements’ as a mode of transnational and global connectivity that entails new kinds of heritage practices between Europe and countries that were formerly colonized; 2) analyze the EU’s expanding engagement with ‘heritage politics’ through investigating the missing place of colonialism in key EU initiatives, policies and programs; 3) explore and assess heritage practices in European and non-European cities, focusing on city museums, artistic creations and citizen activities; and 4) share insights and knowledge via a form of science diplomacy, what we call 'intercultural heritage diplomacy', thereby introducing decolonial heritage practices into EU-level debates.
WP 1 conducted theoretical and methodological research into global scholarship on decolonial and postcolonial theories and methods. All deliverables have been achieved. These consist of articles in peer-reviewed journals; writing and collation of the project's Methodological Toolkit; publication of a Keywords anthology; a PhD course on Decoloniality'; editing of a special issue of the journal Heritage & Society; and co-editing of the project book, 'Decolonizing Colonial Heritage' (2021). Results have been disseminated via scholarly publications, the ECHOES website, the 'Keywords' website (https://keywords.com) and 'Interventions' (https://keywords.com/interventions/.
WP 2 conducted historiographic and archival research into European scholarship on colonialism. All of the deliverables have been achieved. These consist of articles in peer-reviewed journals; a report to the EU Parliament, an online conference with the House of European History in Brussels; contributions to the ECHOES co-edited book; and inputs into the ECHOES Methodological Toolkit. Results have been disseminated via scholarly publications, the ECHOES website and the 'Keywords' website.
WP 3 conducted comparative research on heritage practices in European and non-European museums. All deliverables have been achieved. These consist of input into the ECHOES Methodological Toolkit, the organization of an international workshop on methodology for heritage experts; the publication of 9 reports on city museums in Amsterdam, Shanghai and Warsaw; peer-reviewed articles; contributions to the ECHOES co-edited book; and the organization of three graduate seminars at the University of Warsaw. Results have been disseminated via scholarly publications, graduate seminars/syllabi, networking activities, the ECHOES website, https://decolonizingmuseums.pl/ the 'Keywords' website and 'Interventions'.
WP 4 conducted ongoing work on the issue of entangled cities' (Lisbon-Rio, Nuuk-Copenhagen). All of the deliverables have been completed. These consist of contributions to the ECHOES Methodological Toolkit; peer-reviewed articles; the organization and hosting of the ECHOES international conference, April 2021; the organization of two exhibitions in Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon; the production of 24 documentary; and contributions to the ECHOES edited book, 'Decolonizing Colonial Heritage'. Results have been disseminated via scholarly publications, exhibitions, the ECHOES website and 'Keywords'. The WP also created its own website, as a means of disseminating its work: https://www.ces.uc.pt/echoes-wp4/.
WP 5 conducted important research on the understanding of art and society in an era of globalization and migration. All deliverables have been achieved. These consist of inputs into the ECHOES Methodological Toolkit; the publication of 3 sets of reports on artists and citizens in Marseille, Cape Town and Bristol; the organization of an international conference, 'ECHOES of Empire', May 2021; and contributions to the ECHOES edited book, 'Decolonizing Colonial Heritage'. Results have been disseminated via scholarly publications, the ECHOES website, 'Keywords' and 'Interventions'.
In WP 6 researchers evaluated European science diplomacy, while at the same time framing a new discourse, ‘intercultural heritage diplomacy’. All deliverables have been achieved. These consists of contributions to the ECHOES Methodological Toolkit; the organization of three international workshops on heritage diplomacy; the publication of two policy briefs and a policy synthesis; the ECHOES final report and contributions to the ECHOES edited book, Decolonizing Colonial Heritage. Results have been disseminated via scholarly publications, blog posts, the ECHOES website, 'Keywords' and media activity.
WP 2 conducted historiographic and archival research into European scholarship on colonialism. All of the deliverables have been achieved. These consist of articles in peer-reviewed journals; a report to the EU Parliament, an online conference with the House of European History in Brussels; contributions to the ECHOES co-edited book; and inputs into the ECHOES Methodological Toolkit. Results have been disseminated via scholarly publications, the ECHOES website and the 'Keywords' website.
WP 3 conducted comparative research on heritage practices in European and non-European museums. All deliverables have been achieved. These consist of input into the ECHOES Methodological Toolkit, the organization of an international workshop on methodology for heritage experts; the publication of 9 reports on city museums in Amsterdam, Shanghai and Warsaw; peer-reviewed articles; contributions to the ECHOES co-edited book; and the organization of three graduate seminars at the University of Warsaw. Results have been disseminated via scholarly publications, graduate seminars/syllabi, networking activities, the ECHOES website, https://decolonizingmuseums.pl/ the 'Keywords' website and 'Interventions'.
WP 4 conducted ongoing work on the issue of entangled cities' (Lisbon-Rio, Nuuk-Copenhagen). All of the deliverables have been completed. These consist of contributions to the ECHOES Methodological Toolkit; peer-reviewed articles; the organization and hosting of the ECHOES international conference, April 2021; the organization of two exhibitions in Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon; the production of 24 documentary; and contributions to the ECHOES edited book, 'Decolonizing Colonial Heritage'. Results have been disseminated via scholarly publications, exhibitions, the ECHOES website and 'Keywords'. The WP also created its own website, as a means of disseminating its work: https://www.ces.uc.pt/echoes-wp4/.
WP 5 conducted important research on the understanding of art and society in an era of globalization and migration. All deliverables have been achieved. These consist of inputs into the ECHOES Methodological Toolkit; the publication of 3 sets of reports on artists and citizens in Marseille, Cape Town and Bristol; the organization of an international conference, 'ECHOES of Empire', May 2021; and contributions to the ECHOES edited book, 'Decolonizing Colonial Heritage'. Results have been disseminated via scholarly publications, the ECHOES website, 'Keywords' and 'Interventions'.
In WP 6 researchers evaluated European science diplomacy, while at the same time framing a new discourse, ‘intercultural heritage diplomacy’. All deliverables have been achieved. These consists of contributions to the ECHOES Methodological Toolkit; the organization of three international workshops on heritage diplomacy; the publication of two policy briefs and a policy synthesis; the ECHOES final report and contributions to the ECHOES edited book, Decolonizing Colonial Heritage. Results have been disseminated via scholarly publications, blog posts, the ECHOES website, 'Keywords' and media activity.
We have engaged with a range of different beneficiaries, among them academics, policymakers, museum curators, citizens groups and members of the wider public. We have also collaborated with other Horizon 2020 projects, including EI-CSID, Iludidare and RePAST.
We have engaged with thousands of humanities and social sciences scholars through conferences, workshops, online publications and scholarly books and articles. We have set down an important marker, highlighting the role of ECHOES in opening up new possibilities for engaging with difficult pasts, disadvantaged groups within Europe and relations between the EU and its partners.
We have engaged with c. 200 policymakers through policy workshops, policy briefs and meetings. We have also disseminated our research among members of the EU Parliament and those involved in the formulation of museum policy or involved in the organization of citizens groups, EU agencies and NGOs.
We have influenced museum practice and policy through conferences and workshops, and have contributed to the networking and knowledge circulation between museum practitioners and researchers from different parts of the world.
We have engaged with artists and citizens groups in Bristol, Cape Town and Marseille, not simply empowering these groups but also meditating between academic research and civil society. We have supported the work of artists, given them a platform for their work and created important networks between artists and institutions.
Our work has supported the efforts to preserve, debate and raise awareness of the 'afro-descendant' presence in Europe. ECHOES has come to be recognized as an interlocutor for those engaged in the wider public debate about heritage and structural racism.
We have engaged with thousands of humanities and social sciences scholars through conferences, workshops, online publications and scholarly books and articles. We have set down an important marker, highlighting the role of ECHOES in opening up new possibilities for engaging with difficult pasts, disadvantaged groups within Europe and relations between the EU and its partners.
We have engaged with c. 200 policymakers through policy workshops, policy briefs and meetings. We have also disseminated our research among members of the EU Parliament and those involved in the formulation of museum policy or involved in the organization of citizens groups, EU agencies and NGOs.
We have influenced museum practice and policy through conferences and workshops, and have contributed to the networking and knowledge circulation between museum practitioners and researchers from different parts of the world.
We have engaged with artists and citizens groups in Bristol, Cape Town and Marseille, not simply empowering these groups but also meditating between academic research and civil society. We have supported the work of artists, given them a platform for their work and created important networks between artists and institutions.
Our work has supported the efforts to preserve, debate and raise awareness of the 'afro-descendant' presence in Europe. ECHOES has come to be recognized as an interlocutor for those engaged in the wider public debate about heritage and structural racism.