Abstract
Beginning in 1992 with the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the expulsion from Spain and the reinstallation of the Sephardic Museum in Toledo, Spanish museums have increasingly shown interest in mounting exhibitions that highlight Jewish history and culture in Iberian as well as global contexts. Examining two recent shows - “The Lost Mirror: Jews and Conversos in Medieval Spain” (organized by the Prado) and “Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away” (organized by Musealia; debuted in Madrid before moving to numerous venues abroad) - this paper analyzes how Spanish museums use displays of artworks and other material cultural artifacts representing Jewish subjects, history, and traditions in an effort to engage and educate diverse audiences, including Spaniards and foreign visitors, Jews and non-Jews, in the contemporary moment in which populist and ultranationalist sentiment often seeks to marginalize minority ethnic and religious populations.
Presenters
Hazel GoldAssociate Prof Spanish; Interim Director, Jewish Studies Program, Spanish and Portuguese; Tam Institute for Jewish Studies, Emory University, Georgia, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
SPAIN, MUSEUMS, MEMORY, HERITAGE, JEWISH, ETHNICITY
