Interpreters seek stories that trigger meanings beyond mere facts. Sometimes, a fictional character who engages with the heritage is used to create an interpretive story. Such idealised creations allow us to condense historical, socio-cultural or ecological knowledge and arrange it into a sequence of events which resonate with universal values. Fictional ‘heroes’ typically face up to an adverse environment or antagonists who represent another set of values. This technique helps people to relate more easily to the heritage but it may also raise questions: do interpreters who invent ‘heroes’ or ‘villains’ risk perpetuating clichés and stereotypes, and would this always be problematic?
Historical people are considered ‘heroes” because they symbolise particular community values which may change over time. Traditional stories about established ‘heroes’ frequently convey an idealised image by highlighting certain traits while omitting others. Should heritage interpretation challenge collective stereotypes by confronting clichés with counter evidence and reinterpret the heroes of the past? Should interpreters spearhead the replacement of old ‘heroes’ by new ones who represent progressive values? Or, rather, should we deconstruct the entire concept of ‘heroes’ and create interpretive stories around anti-heroes, or even depersonalise our interpretations?
Our 2025 conference will be organised in partnership with the Józef Piłsudski Museum at Sulejówek in the outskirts of Warsaw. This is an ideal place to discuss the interpretation of ‘heroes’ and the depiction of their counterparts.
Józef Piłsudski is one of Poland’s national heroes, one who fought for an independent republic and for freedom for the Polish people. But he is also an ambivalent character, admired and criticised by different factions of Polish society for different reasons. The museum aims for dialogue with its audience, respecting their diverse personalities and sometimes separate points of view.
Interpret Europe conferences attract, from as many as 40 countries, up to 200 attendees, all of whom share a dedication to support local people and visitors in their search for meaning in heritage. Besides seminal keynote speeches and study visits to remarkable heritage sites, IE conferences benefit from up to 50 presentations and interactive workshops delivered by their attendees.
We call for papers and workshops that discuss practical examples or theoretical aspects related to the conference theme.
Let’s talk about the diversity of meanings associated with ‘hero,’ ‘anti-hero’ and ‘villain’ in different interpretive settings and different cultures. What kind of deeds and traits make someone a ‘hero’? Let’s consider the balance between, or even a shift from, idealisation to critical approach.
Let’s share good practice and lessons to learn from various case-studies.