Authors: Theopisti Stylianou-Lambert & Alexandra Bounia
Publisher: Routledge
Using the island of Cyprus as a case study, this book provides a thoughtful and critical examination of the relationship between museums, politics and national identity. It uses the museum scene in Cyprus as a case study in order to explore emerging issues which currently preoccupy museum studies literature all over the world. Furthermore, it offers a theoretical framework for how various power relations contribute to the birth of museums and how these museums help (re)shape national identities.
The focus of the book is on a specific geographical and cultural territory but the questions, themes and arguments apply to other places characterised by colonial heritage and post-colonial political turmoil. The intriguing example of Cyprus thus serves as an ideal test-ground for current debates relating to politics, museums and identity.