ABSTRACT
In the conclusions, we bring together central insights of the book. Focusing on the narrative production of EUropean heritage, we discuss the nature of heritage narratives and the relationship between their inherent normative ‘smoothing’ tendency and the need to bring more diverse voices into their definition. Building on this narrative approach, we summarize key findings from the four thematic parts of the book – multilevel and participatory governance; critical geopolitics; participation and heritage dissonance; and embodiment and affect theory. Finally, we debate the future of the European Heritage Label and envision the possibilities for a transcultural understanding of heritage. Such a pluralistic, inclusive and co-constitutive idea of heritage would enable engaging with transcultural issues such as migration and changing connections between notions of nationhood and European citizenship. Moreover, it would enable crucial debates on how to deal with some of the unresolved historical legacies of Europe as well as support the inclusion of varied groups of post-migrant communities.
