Workshop III – Enhancement of the Cultural Heritage in the Mediterranean Region

Module 1- Memories, devotions and beliefs in the Mediterranean: safeguarding the Catholic religious heritage in the south of the Iberian Peninsula (3h)

Trainer: Antónia Fialho Conde (CIDEHUS – University of Évora)

Module description:

After drawing attention to concrete examples from the Mediterranean region, the module will focus on attitudes towards religious heritage throughout history (its protection and musealisation, the preservation of memories or the destruction of objects and sites of different confessions) with a particular focus on southern Portugal. Sacralised landscapes, sacred art museums, the maintenance of devotional traditions or the disappearance of others, the institutions responsible for their maintenance at local, national, and European level, and the attitudes of the population will be the subject of reflection in this module. We will also take into account the UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage and the assessments that have been made, as well as UNESCO’s positions on the destruction of this type of heritage and religious intolerance.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the concept of religious heritage;
• Recognise manifestations of faith and devotion as tools for heritage literacy;
• Know the role of UNESCO in safeguarding religious heritage as a tool for citizen reconciliation and the valorisation of Mediterranean diversity;

Workshop Format: Expository session and interactive class, group work, research, and debate.