Transmitting Contentious Cultural Heritages with the Arts From Intervention to Co-production TRACES deploys an innovative research methodology to analyse the challenges and opportunities raised when transmitting awkward pasts, and to investigate the role played by difcult heritage in refexive Europeanisation. Through experimental in-depth artistic/ethno- graphic research, TRACES focuses on the chal- lenges and opportunities inherent in transmitting contentious cultural heritages in contemporary Europe. Contentious heritage is often particularly difcult to convey to the public and can impede inclusiv- ity and convivial relations. Nevertheless, if trans- mitted sensitively, it can contribute to a process of refexive Europeanisation, in which the Euro- pean imagination is shaped by self-awareness, on-going critical refection and dialogue across diferent positions. Involving a multi-disciplinary team, which brings together established and emerging scholars, artists and cultural workers, TRACES develops a rigorous and creative investigation on a range of contentious cultural heritages. To do so, it sets up a series of Creative Co-Productions in which artists, researchers, heritage agencies, and stake- holders work together in longer term engage- ments, to collaboratively research selected cases of contentious heritage and develop new partic- ipatory public interfaces. These art-based research actions will be support- ed and complemented by theoretical investiga- tions, analysing and expanding their outcomes. TRACES main goal is to identify new directions for cultural institutions and museums, to efec- tively transmit contentious cultural heritage and productively contribute to evolving European identities. www.traces.polimi.it | infotraces@polimi.it The views expressed here are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily refect the views of the European Commission.