Bonding heritage, distanced past:The new Museum Rotterdam and local historical consciousness

In February 2016 Museum Rotterdam reopened with two new permanent exhibitions. This review article shows how Museum Rotterdam aims to create ‘bonding heritage’ through a dynamic approach, that acknowledges new perspectives. Furthermore, it reveals how a strong distinction between the representation of the past and the present in the museum, relates to the local memory culture that is shaped by a temporal gap created after the bombing of the city in World War II. In order to realise its goal of ‘bonding’, the authors recommend for the museum to show its own choices in selecting and presenting the objects and narratives on display, and therewith to address its own role in constructing and performing the city’s identity