World heritage, tourism and national identity: a case study of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

The Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of Greekness, is perceived more as representing Greece than the broader concept of 'world heritage,' challenging the universal validity of UNESCO's World Heritage idea. This interdisciplinary study, combining visual anthropology, cultural geography, and constructivist philosophy, examines how tourism and World Heritage status influence the construction and consumption of national identity at the Acropolis. Through innovative methods—including text, photography, video, and ethnographic documentary—the research reveals that despite its global recognition, the site remains deeply tied to Greekness, suggesting that World Heritage may more accurately be seen as 'contested heritage.' This finding questions whether UNESCO's initiative has successfully created a truly universal or world category of heritage.

Rakić, T. (2008). World heritage, tourism and national identity: a case study of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece [Edinburgh Napier University]. https://doi.org/10.17869/ENU.228207