Call for Participation - Nigerian Alternative Heritages Conference

We are excited to announce our upcoming event with the National Museum Onikan Lagos, the “Beyond the Classical: Unveiling the Unsung” Conference. This high-profile gathering for academics, culture and heritage professionals, and more will take place on 2-3 June 2025 at the National Museum Onikan Lagos.

This is the latest event of our Alternative Heritages Project, made possible by the French Embassy Fund (FEF).

We invite you to submit abstracts and present your research papers, innovative practices and/or case studies at this important event.

Deadline for submission: 20 April 2025

Read/download the full terms of reference below.

 Click here to download the full ToR.

Dear all

We are excited to announce the upcoming Alternative Heritages Conference, a high-profile gathering for academics, culture and heritage professionals, heritage conservators, art historians, archaeologists and anthropologists taking place on 2-3 June 2025 at the National Museum Onikan Lagos. We cordially invite you to submit abstracts and present your research papers, innovative practices and/or case studies at this important event.

Conference Theme: Beyond the Classical: Unveiling the Unsung

The scientific focuses of the Conference that are to be explored in the papers include but are not limited to:

• The complex relationship between heritage and power dynamics,
• the representation of marginalized communities in heritage narratives,
• the impact of globalization on local traditions and its narration,
• ethical considerations in heritage presentation and tourism,
• the digital preservation of forgotten intangible heritage and tangible heritage,
• the role of heritage in reconciliation and social justice movements.

All while challenging traditions, dominant narratives and promoting diverse perspectives on cultural heritage.

Sub-themes include:

• Decolonizing Heritage: examining how colonial legacies influence current heritage practices and narratives, advocating for indigenous voices and perspectives in heritage interpretation and presentation.
• Marginalized Communities: highlighting the heritage of groups often excluded from mainstream narratives, such as LGBTQ+ communities, ethnic minorities, and working-class populations.
• Intangible Heritage: addressing the challenges of documenting and preserving intangible cultural practices such as oral traditions, music, and rituals in a digital age.
• Community Engagement: prioritizing community participation in heritage management and decision-making processes, ensuring local voices are heard.
• Heritage Tourism Ethics: debating the potential negative impacts of mass tourism on local communities and cultural practices, promoting sustainable heritage tourism initiatives.
• Conflict and Heritage: analyzing how heritage is used in conflict situations, including the destruction of cultural sites and the role of heritage in reconciliation efforts.
• Digital Preservation: exploring the use of digital technologies to document, archive, and disseminate heritage information, including considerations of accessibility and equity.
• Environmental Impact: examining the intersection of cultural heritage and environmental concerns, such as climate change threats to heritage sites and stored artefacts.

Submission Guidelines:

• Abstract: A concise summary of your proposed presentation (word count limit: 250- 300)
• Biography: A brief profile of your expertise and affiliations

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 20 April 2025
• Notification of Acceptance: 5 May 2025

Accommodation and logistics support will be provided for paper presenters at the conference

To submit your abstract for this conference kindly email your abstract to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. & This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject “Beyond the Classical Conference”

For further scientific inquiries on the conference please kindly email your question to Dr Barbara Morovich This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Joseph Ayodokun This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Alternative Heritages Conference is part of the on-going French Embassy Fund (FEF) Nigerian Alternative Heritages Project sponsored by the French Embassy in Nigeria through IFRA-Nigeria at the National Museum Onikan Lagos.

We look forward to receiving your contribution and making the Alternative Heritages Conference a successful platform for knowledge exchange and innovation.

Sincerely,

Mrs Nkechi Adedeji

Curator National Museum Onikan Lagos

For the Conference LOC