"Des war oiwei so"

Heritage performance, identity and belonging in Berchtesgaden area, Bavaria

Contemporary Europe is facing an increasing fragmentation on the social and political sphere. In this time of “crises”, recourses to the past play a major role in constructing identities through performances of heritage. In 2018 the performance of Christmas shooting being performed in Berchtesgaden area got listed in the independent Bavarian register for intangible heritage. Regarding heritage as a process and with consequences on the political, cultural and social level and as a process of social inclusion and exclusion (Ashworth et al. 2007: 4) it is necessary to look at the role of intangible heritage processes in realms of identity, belonging and meaning making. Considering the specific locality of Berchtesgaden area and the 2018 listing in the independent Bavarian register for intangible heritage, the research will contribute to an understanding how intangible heritage is used and produced by different agents and which social function it has in the specific locality of Berchtesgaden area.

Ashworth, G.J. & Tunbridge, J.E. & Graham, B.J. 2007. Pluralising Pasts: Heritage, identity and place in multicultural societies. London : Pluto.