NODEM 2014 Proceedings

Literary Museums as Part of Tradition Mediation
Niels D Lund
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Abstract: This paper will discuss the role, conditions and possibilities of museums concerning the maintenance of the literary
tradition, the literary cultural heritage, the classics etc. The latest decades seem to have shown an increase in varied museum installations
regarding books, literature and authors. As for the landscape of memory institutions the situation is interesting partly
because the museum in general – and especially it’s mediating activity – has gone through a dynamic renewing development,
partly because they have invaded the field of literary tradition which as a rule has been the prerogative of libraries and archives.
Keywords: literary museums, tradition mediation, materialize intangible heritage
Challenge – reasoning
Besides the general growth and development of institutions several specific circumstances and reasons behind
the literary museums’ trends may call for explanations and generate fruitful questions. The development
in the Nordic countries does not seem to be the stronger, their scholarly literature not very voluminous neither;
the discussion of this field of growth must take in from other countries.
Especially it is of interest to investigate how literature, partly as an aesthetic, spiritual and immaterial phenomenon,
partly as mass-produced printed media, can interfere with the raison d’être of museums – i.e. place,
space, presence, materiality and physical visualization of unique artefacts. Furthermore how literature, understood
as language and in this respect second to none confined by and defining groups and nations, can
be linked with museums which as institutions have roles and functions concerning identity, especial national
identity. A national literary tradition via language bound to national identity may interfere with a time of globalization,
trans-nationalization, and migration according to an overall increasing attention towards politics of
identity, memory, and cultural heritage.
Historically seen, museums within the field of literature have been connected with a culture of writing, printing
and the classic literary system. The increase of this type of museums may be seen in the light of the comprehensive
change of this system: the digital production, distribution, mediation and reading. So, as literary
museums are being more frequent and visible, it may be seen as a reaction to the upcoming digital culture – as
often seen in history: when something disappears, it will be musealized.
Literary museums today reflect and retain a situation of shrinking, change, and new constellations in the keeping
up of literary culture and history.
In a modern mediation context
The literary museums are one of the ways of maintaining literary traditions. Through care and management,
making visible and mediating there are many tradition activities and functionalities – partly interacting and
NODEM 2014 Conference & Expo
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