Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC): From the UC, Chile will host the most important meeting of heritage studies in the world

For the first time, an ACHS Conference will take place in a Latin American country . The conference will begin on December 4 with an inauguration at the Extension Center of the Catholic University. Between December 5 and 7 there will be 49 presentation sessions, 6 round tables and 1 audiovisual session. Wednesday’s day will end with a closing ceremony of the conference at the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, an instance that will be accompanied by the participation of the musician Fernando Raín.

The central concept that governs the conference is Interculturalities. This implies the search and generation of a dialogue between cultural and social diversities, considering a dynamic of polyphony or palimpsest that makes it possible to interact as a social fabric, recognizing the existence of conflicting positions and power inequalities. This issue is central to understanding the country and the world, and in the Chilean context it has been at the center of public debate, especially in the constitutional context.

This international conference has the participation of two specialists with a long academic career and in the reflection of political and social impact related to heritage. On the one hand, Dr. Lucas Lixinski, Professor at the School of Law and Justice, UNSW Sydney, and Vice President of the Association of Critical Heritage Studies. He is originally from Brazil and his work focuses on the intersections between critical heritage studies and law (particularly international law and human rights). On the other hand, Dr. Ana Filipa Vrdoijak , who is a professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Technology Sydney. She is currently the president of UNESCO’s section of international law and cultural heritage. Vrdoijak is also president of the International Cultural Property Society (USA).

“Interculturality has become a buzzword to show a commitment to dialogue and change power relations in favor of disadvantaged groups, to achieve a better balance. As with any word that becomes part of the zeitgeist, it lost some of its meaning and the call to action faded. Rethinking the concept allows us to refocus on the work ahead and build on whether interculturality can deliver on the promise, and, along with heritage, allow identities to flourish without fear of their political power. ” , says Dr. Lixinski about the concept of interculturality.

Meanwhile, regarding the holding of the conference in Chile, Dr. Vrdoijak mentions that“When these conferences are held in the South, it’s important. The fact that it is celebrated in Latin America is doubly important because it offers a greater diversity of points of view and lived experiences and also of language” .

Both academics will give keynote talks during the conference, giving an account of their own visions regarding the future, the challenges of heritage and the discussions on the idea of ​​interculturality.

Indigenous Film + Video Cycle
In addition to academic activities, the conference will include cultural activities such as the 16th Indigenous Film + Video Cycle . The cycle is organized by the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and will be held in the Auditorium of History, Geography and Political Science located on the San Joaquín Campus of the UC between December 5 and 7 . This film cycle is open to all audiences, so prior registration is not required.

Among the activities to highlight during the conference is the projection of the play “El Círculo” , a project that brings together Chilean actors and actresses of Palestinian and Jewish origin who discuss intercultural coexistence.The projection of this work will take place on Wednesday, December 7 at 2:30 p.m. instance that will close with a discussion panel to comment on the work.

During this sixth version of ACHS 2022, the 10 years of the association (ACHS) are commemorated, thus proposing a first historical balance of its trajectory and critical heritage studies. The Association of Critical Heritage Studies (ACHS) will celebrate this decade with a panel titled “10 years On: Past, Present, and Future of (A)CHS” to be held on Monday, December 5 at 4:10 p.m. , in the Auditorium Francisco Rosende of the Faculty of Economics of the Catholic University in the San Joaquín Campus.

This event seeks the creation of networks between academics, academics and professionals from the world of heritage. Along with offering a space for dialogue with members of indigenous communities, Afro-descendants and civil society in conversations and parallel activities that allow reflection from different spaces on the problem of heritage from interculturality. The instance will transform Chile into one of the relevant spaces for the reflection of these themes and the projections of the results of this conference towards the future of the discipline and cultural management.