Abstract
This article examines how cultural heritage preservation processes shape and reshape community identity in small towns undergoing socioeconomic transition. Through ethnographic research in three heritage towns in Romania, the study analyses the politics of heritage selection, interpretation, and mobilisation.
Key Findings
- Heritage preservation can both strengthen community identity and create conflicts over whose heritage is valued
- Tourism-oriented heritage commodification transforms local cultural practices in complex ways
- Community engagement in heritage decision-making enhances both preservation outcomes and social cohesion
- Digital heritage initiatives create new possibilities for community storytelling and identity expression
Methodology
Extended ethnographic fieldwork in three heritage towns, combining participant observation with interviews, archival research, and participatory mapping exercises.
Implications
The article contributes to debates about the social functions of cultural heritage, arguing for participatory approaches that recognise heritage as a living social resource rather than a fixed collection of material objects.
