Migration, Multicultural and Diaspora Heritage in Northern Portugal: Opportunities and Challenges in the Analysis of Identities and Places

Immigration and valorising cultural heritage have been remarkable social phenomena in Portuguese society. In the last decade, Portugal has emerged as a migration destination while consolidating its position as a prominent tourist destination. This explosion of contemporary mobility has brought a new emphasis on cultural and heritage elements present in the country, both of Portuguese society as a host community and of the various migrant communities residing in the country. Consequently, this research emerges, anchored in cultural and critical heritage studies, which aims to analyse the heritages of migration, multiculturalism and diaspora in the country’s Northwest region. This chapter aims to analyse the opportunities for studying different heritages and their manifestations in the public space by presenting elements addressed in the ongoing doctoral research Migratory Trajectories and Heritage in the Northwest of Portugal: Identities and Places. Namely, the mapping of tangible and intangible heritage and the intention of surveying immigrant narratives will explore their relationship with the heritage of the countries of origin and the relationship with local heritage. In this way, it seeks to reflect on its social and scientific relevance, possible contributions to national identity education at the social and cultural level, and the influence of public policies. Some research limitations are also presented, exposing challenges that are transversal to the social sciences, namely in the realisation of projects included in doctoral programs.

Reference:

Simões, C., & Sarmento, J. (2024). Patrimónios da migração, multicultura e da diáspora no Norte de Portugal: Oportunidades e desafios na análise de identidades e lugares. In E. C. e Silva, N. Mandolini, P. Chamusca, & R. Granja (Eds.), Desafios de investigação em ciências sociais: A relevância social e científica nos projetos de doutoramento. Atas das X Jornadas Doutorais do CECS (pp. 54–75). CECS