A person's awareness of hirrνherself can include the importance of cultural propeπy which is attached to a specific place. Meaning is created by its link with a place, the past or a known event. This fact is very important for museums. Objects are linked to local identity. The new museology movement emphasises community development by forging and enhancing a sense of identity. The new museums, such as ecomuseums, may help local people better understand their affiliation to their territory, know their history and appreciate their heritage, study traditions and assemble memories to affirm local cultural identity. The significance of intangible heritage, human experience, is emphasised as a core object of museurns. The rich collective human experience includes beliefs, traditions, customs, social structures, activities, skills and ways of behaviour prevalent in the area (Corsane and Holleman 1993: 116). On a smaller scale, most localities or regions have their own museums, memorial monuments or historic sites for the memory of local or regional events and people, which may be a symbol of a specific identity of the locality. These institutions or sitescould increase cultural and historical understanding and awareness, enhancing people’s attention and interests in their regions and giving them pride. People recognise who they are and acknowledge themselves outside the region. This recognition may play roles as incentives and generators of culture and cultural identity.
Introduction 1. Ecomuseums and new museums 2. Local history 3. Collection/heritage 4. Participation of the community Conclusion References