Living Heritage and Religious Traditions: Reinterpreting Columba/Colmcille in the UK City of Culture: Reinterpreting Columba/Colmcille in the UK city of culture

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Abstract

In 2013, Derry~Londonderry became the inaugural UK City of Culture. Given tensions between national and unionist versions of history, the title generated considerable debate on the location of Derry~Londonderry's culture within a UK and/or Irish context. All this had implications for the character of Columba/Colmcille, who had been appropriated by competing secular andreligious versions of history in the past and who featured prominently in the year-long celebrations. This essay explores the layering and cultural appropriation of the narrative of Columba/Colmcille over the centuries and the reshaping of this narrative in anticipation of the yearof UK City of Culture. It contextualises the emergence of a fresh narrative in the new political context which seeks to redefine the city as a common heritage space for a previously divided people.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)42-58
Number of pages17
JournalAnthropological Journal of European Cultures
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2013

Keywords

  • Columba/Colmcille
  • Cultural appropriation
  • Cultural politics
  • Northern Ireland
  • Symbols
  • UK City of Culture

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