Discovering identities through digital cultural heritage

European identity in the digital age

European identity is a very complex and dynamic concept, but also very important when talking about the EU. It is influenced by many factors and it is important to talk about it, especially in European classrooms. It’s not easy to define this concept but shortly it is a sense of belonging to a common European space where we share many characteristics, history, institutions and values that unite us and that co-exist with our national identities. In an age where our lives are getting more and more intertwined with the digital world, the exploration of identity also finds new ways, especially  through digital cultural heritage. Preservation of cultural heritage through digital platforms such as Europeana offers people the opportunity to dig deeper into their European identity, to foster a deeper connection with their own identity, but also to understand other people’s identity much better.

Celebrating cultural identity

European cultural customs and traditions are unique and are a crucial part of our identities. Europeana exhibition called Celebrations in Europe invites you to read stories brought together from people across Europe, and discover objects from different cultural institutions and thus promotes intercultural understanding, mutual respect and better understanding of your own identity. Another digital exhibition called People on the move shows us the impact of migration on our European identity. Through memorable stories of individuals and communities you get a broad view of the enriching effects of migration on our European  identity.

Inclusivity and respect

One of the important aspects of digital cultural heritage is its potential to give voice to marginalized groups that have been historically overlooked and underrepresented. This way we foster a more inclusive understanding of identity. On Europeana platform you can find a lot of blog posts and galleries dedicated to marginalized groups, which helps them assert their identities. As mentioned in the introduction, it is important to talk about identity in our classrooms. On Teaching with Europeana blog you can find amazing learning scenarios that deal with the topic of inclusivity and diversity. Using a learning scenario Time of the Gypsies you can foster an inclusive environment for Roma children in school and break stereotypes that your students might have. Through another learning scenario called From disability to creativity students become aware  of the daily challenges that blind people face and thus become more sensitive to adversity. Using such scenarios in our classrooms, we as teachers ensure that our teaching is inclusive and respectful of different underrepresented groups whose identities are very important for the whole community.

Conclusion

Educators should use the transformative power and potential of digital cultural heritage on a daily basis. It is important to help our students explore their own European identity, connect them with their European roots, celebrate their heritage, but also make them aware that the identity of marginalized groups needs to be approached with sensitivity, empathy and commitment to inclusivity.

CC BY-SA 4.0: the featured image used to illustrate this article has been found on Europeana and has been provided by the Muzeul Național al Satului “Dimitrie Gusti”.