How to Exhibit Competing Narratives: Confronting Legacies of Conflict or Sustaining Social Cleavages?

This contribution explores how museums contribute to or degrade peaceful relations in divided societies in light of ongoing disputes at the cultural-symbolic level. The case concerns the autonomous province of South Tyrol (Italy), which successfully settled a minority conflict. This inquiry into how museums confront historical legacies and persisting conflict-related tensions sheds light on the interplay between cultural expressions, institutions, and the socio-political landscape. Looking at three representative museum/exhibitions, we identify specific elements and strategies that either recontextualize debates or sustain divisive understandings of the minority conflict. We argue that museums/exhibitions play a critical role in the aftermath of conflict in ways that affect social cohesion and stability