Zaragoza and Belchite will host the international seminar on memory and tourism of controversial pasts on October 14-15. The 3rd International Seminar 'Places of Memory and Tourism: Uses and Controversies in the Management of Recent Past Heritage' will bring together experts, researchers, and professionals to share experiences and perspectives.
The program will combine academic debates, professional experiences, and practical approaches, connecting international contexts with diverse experiences from Spain. Topics will include the conservation and reinterpretation of historical remains, heritage creation processes, visitor experiences, the educational potential of places of memory, and the value of territorial initiatives.
On the second day, the debate will move to the old town of Belchite, offering an opportunity to explore firsthand the possibilities and challenges of managing the site as a place of memory. The seminar will conclude with an open discussion on the possible futures of this heritage and how we construct our relationship with the pasts inscribed in the territory.
The decision to hold the seminar in Zaragoza and Belchite reflects the aim to ground the debate in concrete cases and diverse work experiences. From these perspectives, the seminar will analyze the challenges of incorporating places associated with controversial pasts into heritage, as well as their relationship with new audiences, uses, and forms of interpretation.
Participation is free, but prior registration is required. The event will take place on October 14-15, 2026, at the Old Plenary Hall of the Provincial Council of Zaragoza.
