New roles of book heritage: The “Deturnos por Chile Collection” of the National Library of Peru: 2007-2017

Abstract

This article examines the process of returning books to Peru by the Chilean government between 2007 and 2017, looted during the War of the Pacific. Attention on the topic has focused mainly on historical events and official return; this work highlights the multiple actors, moments and factors involved in the transformation of these books into heritage assets. In addition, other recovery efforts are addressed that, despite being less known, are an integral part of this cultural process. This study offers a broad look at the dynamics of patrimonialization, considering the social and symbolic impact of the returns on historical memory.