Intangible Cultural Heritage and Reconciliation in the Western Balkans

“Miloš Milenković’s book dares us to think positively about the structures for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, and the work these structures and intangible heritage more generally can do for society. In doing so, he unpacks the destructive possibilities of critique for critique’s sake and points to a brighter landscape where critique and critical thinking come together not to destroy, but to build; where heritage is not (only) a tool of manipulation, but also a (potential) tool of resilience and peace.” - Lucas Lixinski, Professor at the Faculty of Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney “This is a timely book and a brave one, attempting to overcome the contrast, and occasional conflict, between ethnology and anthropology in Eastern Europe. Drawing on extensive fieldwork from the Western Balkans and engagement with policymakers and NGOs, Milenković argues that the two sister disciplines are complementary rather than in competition. His refreshing and original view on intangible cultural heritage has the potential to enrich both disciplines, and could have an impact on policy and ideology at this time of neo-nationalism and polarization. Although the book has a regional focus, the message is relevant for comparative analysis and anthropological theory, and it deserves a wide readership.” - Thomas Hylland Eriksen, University of Oslo