A social psychological approach to cultural heritage: memories of the elderly inhabitants of Rome

Abstract

Elderly inhabitants' memories can be a valuable source of information about the intangible aspects of cultural heritage of interest to tourists. Using the theory of social representations, this research project focuses on the urban area of the former 17th Municipality of Rome (located on the right riverbank of the Tiber River and including the neighborhoods of Prati and Borgo close to the Vatican City). All three older people's centers of the municipality have participated on a voluntary basis. The total of 64 persons provided demographic information, took tests assessing cognitive skills and memory, attended focus groups and participated in in-depth interviews in order to produce a documentary for tourists. As a result, the four most significant social representations of the cultural heritage of the former 17th Municipality of Rome have been identified and described in relation to the predominant emotions evoked. The final product consists of a documentary that includes selected interviews with the elderly inhabitants, insights from an archeologist and art historian, as well as local administration and authorities, in order to enrich tourist experience. Practical implications of the research project are discussed in relation to urban tourism.

Keywords:

• cultural heritage
• urban tourism
• authenticity
• historic cities
• intangible heritage
• Rome

Acknowledgements

The research has been authorized and promoted by the former 17th Municipality of Rome (special thanks to the President Antonella De Giusti and Maria Rosaria Lo Monaco), as well as by the local older people's centers (special thanks to the presidents: Annamaria Addante, Teresa Maccari and Magda Melillo).

The screening of the population of the older people's centers has been performed by the licensed psychologists from Studio Ermes (special thanks to Alessandra Gatto and Marzia Giua).

The documentary has been prepared by the i2media (special thanks to Enrico La Cava).

Funding

The project has been sponsored by the Rotary Club Roma Centenario (special thanks to the President Mario Morelli and the members: Aloisia Buonsignore, Paolo Camarri, Marcello La Cava, Giuseppe Natalucci, Giovanni and Andrea Piglia) and supported by a grant from the Rotary District 2080 (special thanks to the District Project Coordinator Franco Arzano).

Notes on contributor

Laura Dryjanska received a joint Ph.D. in Social Representations and Communication (Social Psychology). She works at the Sapienza University of Rome as a post-doctoral researcher. Her scientific interests include the theory of social representations applied to a wide range of social issues, from migration, street children, active aging, urban development, cultural heritage and tourism to organizational psychology. Laura is a member of the American Psychological Association and the European Association of Social Psychology.