Old monuments in a new light: Young foreign visitors' knowledge and perceptions of the Berlin Wall

Pierce-McManamon, Kate (2008) Old monuments in a new light: Young foreign visitors' knowledge and perceptions of the Berlin Wall. In: 16th ICOMOS General Assembly and International Symposium: ‘Finding the spirit of place – between the tangible and the intangible’, 29 sept – 4 oct 2008, Quebec, Canada. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Abstract (in English)

This paper investigates how young foreign tourists regard the Berlin Wall, including their previous knowledge base, perceptions and expectations. I address questions, such as: Does the on-site educational and interpretive materials satisfy this visitor groups' needs for understanding, appreciating and participating at the site? What approach (es) would this tourist group prefer? How are Berlin Wall sites, within the government supported Gesamtkonzept zur Erinnerung der Berliner Mauer (complete concept dedicated to the memory of the Berlin Wall) and Geschichtsmeile Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall History Mile), currently transmitting the spirit of the place? This age group of tourists was selected for study because they comprise the largest group of tourists coming to Berlin with the specific goal of visiting sites associated with the Wall. Thus, they are an important group about which more information should be known. My assessment is based on 231 visitor surveys conducted at five main locations in Berlin: Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin Wall Documentation Center at Bernauer Street and East Side Gallery. This study produced new information about the background and interests of the young tourist group. Evaluations for each individual Berlin Wall site and its current presentation methods are presented in the study. New approaches for each site investigated along with an improved overarching concept for a stronger development of the Berlin Wall heritage trail also are presented.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Authors:	Authors Email Pierce-McManamon, Kate UNSPECIFIED
Languages:	English
Keywords:	tourists; young visitors; interpretation; presentation
Subjects:	L.PRESENTATION AND TRANSMISSION OF HERITAGE > 02. Interpretation O.INTANGIBLE HERITAGE > 01. Generalities L.PRESENTATION AND TRANSMISSION OF HERITAGE > 03. Presentation H.HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES > 09. Historic buildings L.PRESENTATION AND TRANSMISSION OF HERITAGE > 01. Generalities
Name of monument, town, site, museum:	Berlin Wall, Germany
ICOMOS Special Collection:	Scientific Symposium (ICOMOS General Assemblies)
ICOMOS Special Collection Volume:	2008, 16th
Depositing User:	Jose Garcia
Date Deposited:	09 Oct 2010 17:59
Last Modified:	13 Jan 2011 19:13
URI:	https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/230

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