@article{8881,
  author = {Albert Van Der Zeijden and Sophie Elpers},
  title = {Intangible Heritage \& The Museum in an age of superdiversity},
  abstract = {In this article the authors focus on the question of how museums can find new roles in a more (ethnically) diversified society. The challenge of what English sociologist Steven Vertovec has called the challenge of superdiversity is huge. This refers to a new demographic reality, a diversification of diversity in which city populations are more dynamic than ever before. Where until recently the challenge was mainly restricted to the integration of a limited group of migrants in a dominant  white  heritage discourse, we now see much more diversification in which the notion of majority versus minority cultures is no longer relevant.For the intangible heritage sector the focus on superdiversity opens new perspectives to interpret intangible heritage from a more dynamic, global perspective heritage that is always on the move and becomes meaningful in ever changing fluid contexts. This focus shows that intangible heritage is NOT being carried by stable homogeneous groups, distinct from the rest of society and lost in time", as Ramon de la Combe once provocatively formulated it. Instead, heritage is about dynamics, flow and fusion. It is determined by multiple perspectives.For museums the focus on intangible heritage may open ways of dealing with superdiversity. The focus on intangible heritage implies a shift from  heritage preservation  to  safe-guarding heritage  and  heritage in the making , and a shift from  heritage of the past  to  heritage in the present and future  for intangible heritage is by definition contemporary, dynamic culture.  Participatory collecting,  connecting people ,  listening to multiple networks around intangible heritage  and  being part of these networks  are the important key words.Through co-creations between museums and the bearers of intangible heritage museums can support the safeguarding of heritage while at the same time they will draw attention to the superdiversity of society. Co-creation offers opportunities to negotiate intangible heritage among different stakeholders (amongst which the museums themselves) and to develop heritage for the future. It is an open ended, experimental approach towards intangible heritage, for what we would like to call a network-laboratory approach.},
  volume = {119},
  number = {1},
  pages = {67},
  issn = {0042-8523},
}