Migration narratives in Greek Museums; between tradition and modernity (original) (raw)
The last few years there has been a growing public concern about the mass migration flows in Europe. In Greece in particular, as a refugee entry country in conditions of a severe economic crisis, a huge debate is developed around the issue. The rise of far right nationalist parties, which mainly use xenophobic rhetoric, creates a toxic societal environment. The Greek historical narrative in formal (history teaching in school) but also in non-formal education (history and cultural museums) it’s primarily nation-centric and Eurocentric, and incorporates with specific purpose migration flows from the origins of human history to the present day. Moreover, the historical narrative in both forms of education is mainly highlighting Greek migrations either as national and cultural expansion or as a national trauma. In general, migration is usually examined as a national experience and not as a global phenomenon. This paper will first describe the place that migration holds as a historical phenomenon in Greek national historiography as it is reflected in history textbooks; in the second part archaeological and historical museums with migration themes will be examined with particular focus on the nature of the perspectives of the exhibition narratives, as well as on the objectives of their educational programs; special reference will be made to the Asia Minor refugee museums of the national trauma of “1922”. In the third part, proposals will be made in order to overcome the one-dimensioned national narratives, enhance critical thinking and promote democratic citizenship and human values in museums with migration exhibitions.
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