About Genius Loci in Regional Museum. What Else Do We Need in the Museums of Local Worlds?

Abstract

The article presents a new understanding of the meaning and functions of a regional museum in the face of changes taking place in the contemporary world. These changes concern the very philosophy of man, whose role is less perceived in terms of supremacy over the natural environment, and more in terms of equality. Next, the role of the nation-state is diminished for the benefit of the global society, at the same time expanding the space for cultural localisms, including regional and minority ones. Localisms, in turn, go beyond the sphere of ethnos, embracing cultural divisions of the typological order. The criteria for describing cultural peculiarities go beyond the affirmation of one's own heritage, while focusing on its dark sides. All of these and other processes make it necessary to redefine the mission of a regional museum, the main task of which, after all, is to display the genius loci, the spirit of the place where the museum operates and which it aims to express.