Symbolic landscapes and civic spaces: Anthropological reflections on peace building in Belfast

Activity: Talk or presentation typesInvited or keynote talk at national or international conference

Description

This paper will examine the contribution anthropological approaches to the ‘symbolic landscape’ can make to understanding how symbols and rituals impact peacebuilding and social cohesion. Using Belfast as a case study, it will explore the changes in the uses of rituals and symbols, alongside changes in legislation and policy, and raise questions over the influence such changes have had on active citizenship. Whilst much work on Belfast has focused on the nature of contested space this paper will look at the idea of ‘shared space’ as both a right to freedom of expression but also as particular acts of social cohesion within the centre of the city. By mapping changes to the symbolic landscape in and around the Belfast it will be argued that a ‘shared Belfast’ has provided a level of social cohesion essential to peacebuilding in a divided society.
Period03 Oct 201905 Oct 2019
Held atPeace and Conflict Studies in Anthropology Network
Degree of RecognitionInternational