The role of narratives in 21st century heritage interpretation
Exploring how narratives shape meaning, dialogue and responsibility in heritage interpretation today.
Online Symposium
26-27 February 2026
Developed by Interpret Europe in collaboration with UNESCO, the Learning Landscapes initiative supports heritage areas in becoming places where interpretation connects people, strengthens communities, and fosters shared responsibility for the future.
Within this framework, this online symposium invites heritage professionals, practitioners, researchers and educators to reflect on the role of narratives in contemporary interpretation. Moving beyond single stories and fixed messages, the symposium explores narratives as spaces for dialogue, learning and shared meaning-making.
What to expect
- Exchange of practices, experiences and perspectives
- Space for questions, uncertainties and reflection
- Practice-based and exploratory contributions
- Dialogue across disciplines, roles and contexts
- An open and inclusive learning environment
Why narratives? Why now?
Narratives shape how heritage is understood, experienced and valued. They influence identities, relationships and public debate. In a time marked by social change, environmental challenges and contested histories, working with narratives has become a central task for interpretation.
The symposium offers a space to reflect on how narratives can connect, question and open dialogue — including when they are multiple, emerging or in tension with one another
Who is the symposium for?
The symposium is open to all IE members, including interpretive planners, guides, site managers, museum and park professionals, educators, researchers and anyone engaged in heritage interpretation.
You do not need to be an academic. Contributions may share projects, cases, methods or questions — learning together is at the heart of the Learning Landscapes approach.
Programme and speakers
The speaker biographies and abstracts are available by clicking below. The detailed programme and session formats will be published on 12 February 2026.
Join a shared learning space on narratives and heritage interpretation.