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The project « The European Route of Migration
Heritage » was initiated within a network working on the theme
of migration. It was integrated into the programme of Cultural Routes
of the Council of Europe in May 2004.
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This proposal arises from two statements : Europe has been a
moving continent for centuries. Cross-border migrations, emigration and immigration,
colonialism and decolonisation have all shaped its demographic, social, economic
and cultural structure. It is through these migrations that Europe has opened
itself up to diversity, but in spite of this cultural wealth, the history of
these migrants is rarely translated into the national history and memory of
a country.
 a new interpretation of migration
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The European Route of Migration Heritage aims to gather into
the same network the organizations working on the subject of immigration or
emigration in order to decompartmentalize, by underlining the concept of migration,
the all-too-often one-sided visions which have been put in place. It is a question
of generating a global vision of this migratory phenomenon whilst also integrating
into the same frame of thought the phenomena of both emigration and immigration.
Attention should equally be placed on temporary migrations, returning migrants,
diasporas or floods of migrants from diverse ethnic origins.
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a cultural heritage
District « Little Italy » in Dudelange
Photo MTP
The negative interpretation of migratory experiences challenges
the conservation of heritage which is linked to this phenomenon. Nevertheless,
this conservation is necessary to allow us to understand the extraordinary importance
of migration for the demographic, economic, social and cultural development
of Europe. Taking care of this heritage, beyond this general and global interest,
means assuming a fundamental importance for the memory of the several million
inhabitants of Europe who have taken part or are now participating in the migratory
process. Made up of material (architectural sites, landscapes, buildings, monuments,
furniture…) or immaterial (techniques, know-how, ideas, knowledge, beliefs,
cultural forms of expression…) traces, heritage can be found in harbours,
railway stations, places of work, archives, and takes into account the objects
which the migrants transport between their country of origin and host country.
The presence and distribution of these objects let us, for example, question
the concept of family integration or the integration of communities of migrants.
interculturality and citizenship
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Through the traces left by migrations, the European Route
of Migration Heritage shows that Europe has been for centuries a moving
continent. Thanks to the information which it conveys, the route bears
witness to the historical « normality » of migrations
and invites each and every citizen to interpret the presence of Others
in European regions as one of the major characteristics of this continent.
Because of this fact, the route has put the problems of the past in contact
with those of the present and is encouraging a dialogue on current questions
linked to the presence of foreigners in Europe. It should invite the citizen
to think more about their own social environment and to perceive the difficulties
faced by migrants on the basis of an historical perspective.
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a shared memory
A plural rereading of history should put an end to interpretations
which have often ignored the reality of migratory phenomenon in aid of
a unilateral vision. Acknowledging migrations, for their social, economic
and political implications, leads us to recognise the participation of
migrants in the development of Europe and to integrate them into this
so-called official history. This work on “a shared memory” leads
to an increase in value of the presence of Others and a recognition that
migrants are an integral part of national communities.
Common poster of the European Week of Migration Heritage 2005
the network
Logo of the AEMI
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The members of the network are engaged in research concerning
migrations, studies which have an objective of better understanding the
phenomenon of human mobility from as far back as possible until today.
Their approach is multidisciplinary in that it encompasses not only history
but also geography, ethnography, archaeology, politics, the economy, languages,
literature, the arts, music, religion, etc. It is comparative in that
it attempts to understand the common ground and the differences between
the history of migrations and the migratory culture of diverse people.
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common activities
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Since the European Route of Migration Heritage is not
fundamentally a material route marked on a map, but a mental connection
between different migratory realities and the memory of routes, it is
necessary for it to develop activities which show the common ground between
partners. The aim of Migration Heritage Week is to make migratory heritage
known to a wider public and thus diffuse knowledge on the « normality »
of the phenomenon of migration in history, a « truth »
nowadays admitted by academics, but still widely ignored by their fellow
citizens.
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