At the interface between living heritage and museum practice: dialogical encounters and the making of a 'third space' in safeguarding heritage

In the complex web of actors and processes that exists around safeguarding intangible cultural heritage (ICH), museums occupy a special place. The Intangible Cultural Heritage and Museums Project (IMP) has attempted to tackle a range of these issues, and searched for windows of opportunity that emerge where living heritage and museums meet. This paper presents an overview of the themes and issues that informed this networking initiative, and shares key insights that are of wider interest for those engaged in safeguarding ICH and in museums worldwide. IMP aimed to be an incentive to connect the safeguarding of living heritage more closely with museum work, as well as to bring about a better understanding of the questions that arise through dialogue and collaboration between the different stakeholders and perspectives. Throughout the trajectory, a ‘third space’ was uncovered and explored at the intersection between museum and ICH activities. Here, opportunities and risks in the interaction between ICH and museums are negotiated, and moulded into a mutually beneficial platform for all involved. Insights here relate to sustainable development, to ethical questions and concerns, and to the potential of learning networks.