Heritage and identity: Contested heritage: between reconstructing the past and rebuilding the future

Heritage is rarely interpreted uniformly, yet its political uses often promote a single narrative, silencing others and rendering cultural objects contested. What does it mean for heritage to be contested? How does it become contentious? Can disputes over ambiguous cultural objects be resolved? This chapter explores these questions to uncover the nature of contested heritage. It begins with the case of Napoleon's statue in Venice, illustrating contested heritage in action. The first section examines the interplay of collective memory, trauma, and identity, highlighting their roles in heritage disputes. The second section delves into how heritage shapes memory and identity, while the third explores the multifaceted nature of contested heritage. By analysing these various dimensions, the chapter proposes a definition of contested heritage, offering insights into its complexities and potential resolutions.