A FUTURE FOR WHOSE PAST? THE HERITAGE OF MINORITIES, FRINGE GROUPS, AND PEOPLE WITHOUT A LOBBY

International and interdisciplinary conference, 21–24 October 2025
Contact person: Rune Frandsen (ETH Zurich), Andrea Schaer (Swiss Cultural Heritage Network)
Contact:  denkmalschutzjahr2025@arch.ethz.ch
Location: Monte Verità, Ascona (Switzerland)

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

In 1975, the European Architectural Heritage Year was launched with the motto: “A future for our past.” Fifty years later, we ask: Whose past will monument preservation safeguard in the future?

Climate change, globalization, migration, civil rights movements, and digital transformation have deeply reshaped living environments. Despite ongoing discussions about inclusion and representation, institutional frameworks and mechanisms still often marginalize those without political leverage, representation, or historical visibility. Although the boundaries of what is considered ‘heritage’ are shifting, the concerns of already marginalized groups are still not being sufficiently taken into account.

This conference addresses the question of who defines what is worthy of preservation. Under what conditions—and through which voices, histories, and cultural expressions—are certain narratives excluded from heritage frameworks? What roles do cultural experts, associations, and policies play in shaping (or limiting) recognition? Can and should we rethink or even completely redefine monument preservation from the perspectives of social justice, welfare, and remembrance policy?

The expanding discourse around intangible cultural heritage, Indigenous architecture, and postcolonial memory has already changed the field of monument preservation—but much work remains to be done. Would it be possible to conceive and practice monument preservation in a more inclusive way, and to learn from the perspectives of those who have been overlooked or underrepresented? What would it mean for heritage conservation to focus more on the heritage of marginalized communities? Which places and stories would become visible? And how would practice—materially, legally, institutionally—have to change to make room for this part of heritage?

PROGRAM

Tuesday 21.10.25

11:00 Welcome Coffee

13:00 Opening word by Silke Langenberg

13:15 — 16:15 Parallel Workshops

16:15 — 16:45 Coffee break

16:45 — 18 :45 Parallel Sessions:

19:00 Welcome Drinks followed by Dinner

Wednesday 22.10.25

08:30 — 10:30 Session 2: Urban Heritage Beyond Landmark Monuments

10:30 — 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 — 12:30 Poster Session 1

12:30 — 14:00 Lunch Break

14:00 — 16:00 Session 3: Questioning World Heritage

16:00  — 17:00 Coffee break

17:00 — 19:00 Formal opening and roundtable discussion

Welcome Adress:
Silke Langenberg (ETH), Nicola Braghieri (EPFL), Sebastian Steiner (Swiss Cultural Heritage Network), Sabine Nemec-Piguet (ICOMOS Suisse).

Official Greetings
Marina Carrobio Guscetti, State Councillor Canton Ticino
Oliver Martin, Federal Office for Culture, Head of Baukultur section
Terje Birken Hovland, Council of Europe
Riin Alatalu, vice-president ICOMOS

Roundtable discussion
Moderation:     Florence Graezer Bideau (EPFL)
With: Mathilde Crevoisier Crelier (Swiss Cultural Heritage Network), Silke Langenberg (ETH Zurich), Francesca Gemnetti, Oliver Martin (BAK)

19:00 Apéro Riche, Opening words by Giorgio Gilardi, mayor of the town of Ascona

Thursday 23.10.25

08:30 — 10:30 Session 4: Migration spaces

10:30 — 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 — 12:30 Poster Session 2

12:30 — 14:00 Lunch break

14:00 — 16:00 Session 5: Regional Minorities

16:00 — 16:30 Coffee break

16:30 — 18:30 Session 6: Post-Colonial Perspectives

19:30 Conference Dinner

Friday 24.10.25

8:30 — 10:30 Parallel Sessions

10:30 — 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 — 12:30 Parallel Sessions:

13:00 Plenary, Final words

13:30 End of the conference

Documents for the registration:
Information sheet for registration
Terms and conditions

Scientific Committee (Peer Reviewers): Riin Alatalu · Clara Arokiasamy · Christian Auf der Maur · Tom Avermaete · Simon Berger · Monica Bilfinger · Nicola Braghieri · Patrick Cassitti · Albina Cereghetti · Scharon Cheva ·Kenny R. Cupers · Angela Dettling · Rune Frandsen · Sebastian Geisseler · Francesca Gemnetti · Florence Graezer Bideau · Shen He · Stephanie Herold · Wolfram Höhne · Nina Hüppi · Mariam Issoufou · Giacinta Jean · Petra Jossen ·Orkun Kasap ·Maria Kouvari · Gerold Kunz · Torsten Lange · Reto Marti · Hans-Rudolf Meier · Mirko Novak · Maria Portmann · Thomas Reitmaier · Brigitte Röder · Marion Sauter · Andrea Schaer · Daniela Spiegel · Sebastian Steiner · Paolo Tombesi · Philip Ursprung · Cecile Vilas · Willi Wotreng · Stefan Wülfert · Helen Wyss · Heinzpeter Znoj

The conference marks the 50th anniversary of the European Architectural Heritage Year (1975) and is jointly organized by the ICOMOS working group Architectural Heritage Year 2025, ETH Zurich, EPFL, and the Swiss Cultural Heritage Network.

Supported by the Federal office of Culture of Switzerland, Swiss National Science Foundation, the Congressi Stefano Franscini, SAGW.