«OPEN-AIR MUSEUM» AND «SKANSEN» IN THE CONTEXT OF TERMINOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION

Abstract

Abstract. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the concepts of the “open-air museum” and “skansen” in the context of their terminological differentiation within the scientific, museum, and legal frameworks. The relevance of the study is обусловлена the widespread practice of using these terms synonymously, which leads to terminological ambiguity and complications in the typology of museum institutions. Based on the analysis of international documents, national legislation, and contemporary scholarly works, the semantic boundaries of the term “open-air museum” are defined as a multifunctional cultural and scientific complex that ensures the preservation, research, and interpretation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in an open environment. It is established that this concept has a generalized character and encompasses a wide range of museum practices. At the same time, the study reveals that the term “skansen” has a more specific meaning, historically shaped within the framework of an ethnographic approach to the reconstruction of traditional environments and ways of life. Its etymology and origin from the first open-air museum in Stockholm are examined, which contributed to the transformation of a proper name into a terminological unit. It is substantiated that skansens should be considered as dynamic ethnographic environments that combine the representation of identity and memory, interactive practices, and sensory experience, while their development occurs within the concepts of “living history” and “hybrid cultural spaces.” The article identifies the criteria that allow for the differentiation of these concepts. It is proven that a skansen is a specialized type of open-air museum characterized by a clear ethnocultural orientation. It is also established that the absence of a unified definition of this term in official documents leads to ambiguity in its use within the scientific field. The generalized results of the study indicate the necessity of distinguishing between the concepts of “open-air museum” and “skansen,” as well as the appropriateness of recognizing the latter as a distinct type of open-air museum in both academic and museum practice. The proposed approach will contribute to the standardization of terminology, improvement of research accuracy, and further development of museum studies.