A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book
Multiperspectivity in Museums
Authors: Kõresaar, Ene; Jõesalu, Kirsti; Kleemola, Olli; Heimo, Anne
Editors: Gunnþórunn Guðmundsdóttir & Ulla Savolainen
Publication year: 2025
Book title : Memory Studies in the Nordic Countries: A Handbook
Series title: Brill’s Handbook Series in Memory Studies
Number in series: 1
First page : 327
Last page: 355
ISBN: 978-90-04-53275-5
eISBN: 978-90-04-73628-3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004736283_015
This chapter examines how Estonian and Finnish museums use first-person narratives to challenge dominant historical narratives of twentieth-century conflicts. It explores the mnemonic affordances created by presenting diverse biographical viewpoints and experiences, outlining methods to analyze the collection, selection, modeling, assembling, and framing of these narratives on display. The study highlights the interplay of ideological and material processes in exhibition creation, revealing the complex factors shaping museological representations of historical conflicts. Although first-person narratives enhance inclusivity and multiperspectivity, their impact is significantly influenced by curatorial decisions and prevailing societal contexts. The study highlights the role of curators as cultural memory agents and advocates for embracing pluralistic and conflictual elements in historical representation, pushing beyond reconciliation toward a more dynamic understanding of the past.