Heritage inquiries at the Connected Communities Festival

Last week, Helen Graham, Research Fellow in Heritage Studies and Director for the Centre for Critical Studies in Museums, Galleries and Heritage, was in Cardiff for the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) Connected Communities Festival.

The Festival took place over the 1 and 2 July, and comprised a mix of performances, exhibition stands, talks, music events, bazaars, workshops, film screenings, games, discussions, walks, digital activities, pop-up events and more, all showcasing the range of projects making up the Connected Communities research programme.

Along with other collaborators, Helen ran a stall entitled Heritage inquiries, which brought together two Connected Communities projects she is currently involved with: How should decisions about heritage be made? and Heritage Legacies.

The stall was inspired by a recent Write Your Own Plaque day in York, organised as part of How should decisions about heritage be made? It was based on the idea of moving from a structured and clean stall, to one spilling over with thoughts, slogans and commemorations of those who passed by it or engaged in themed break-out sessions.

Helen Graham said of the event:

‘It was fantastic to be at the Festival. It’s offered us — in both of these heritage-related projects — a chance to further test the resonances of our emerging ideas within the wider Connected Communities programme.'

The workshop session led by Helen Graham is available to view on the AHRC's YouTube channel.

As part of the preparation for Cardiff, the How should decisions about heritage be made? project developed a booklet, Heritage Decisions, offering an account of the project so far. 

More information:
How should decisions about heritage be made?
Heritage Legacies

Image: Detail from 'We need to put the 'i' back into 'I'nstitutions' comment at the Heritage Inquiries stall.