Constructing a national discourse or encouraging the intercultural dialogue: the case of two museums in Luxembourg

The notion of identity is often linked to the museum, as we can see in the museology literature (Thatcher, 2005 and 2012, Gob, 2010; Mairesse, 2011, Nemery, Rautenberg, Thuriot, 2008, etc.), during previous Eunamus symposia or during this conference itself. The link between identity and museum is sometimes poorly defined and it also tends to evolve over time. For example, the national heritage was first used to build the nation, while showing in what sense the other is "other." Since the 70s and 80s, by contrast, the increased value attached to the cultures of the different communities has been put forward in order to address all citizens (Caillet in Ministry of Culture, 2009). Finally, since the turn of the millennium, the idea of ​​a "forum museum" which includes all communities has gained momentum, especially given the current European economic and social perils that threaten social cohesion within individual countries as well as Europe as a whole (Ministry of Culture, 2009).
But in the present time of crises, in a multicultural country like Luxembourg, what are the uses of the identity discourses in national museums?
Here, we would like to present, the case of two of the 8 National Museums of Luxembourg. 1) First, we will focus briefly on the link between identity and history museums in the context of Luxembourg. 2) Next, we will look at the permanent exhibition of these museums, which both speak about the Second World War but represent two very different cases of identity appropriation of the historical discourse. We will also study their plans for the future (two renovation projects currently underway). 3) Finally, we will consider the limitations and strengths of the two approaches and what their roles might be in the future, in particular when it comes to ensuring greater cohesion between nationalities living in Luxembourg and in Europe.