Conceptual Framework for On-site Digital Interpretation Developments in Cultural Heritage Sites

On-site heritage interpretation plays a vital role in cultural heritage sites in conveying the significance and multiple heritage values to the visitors. In an era where the world is transforming with innovative digital applications, the heritage sites are also being integrated with digital interpretation techniques to deliver a better interpretation and new dimensional experience to the visitors. Though multiple digital solutions are available, not all the techniques are appropriate, applicable and feasible to every site. Besides, neither proper worldwide principles nor framework has been exerted for these digital heritage interpretation developments. Therefore, this study is focused on building a generic conceptual framework to select the most appropriate digital interpretation technique(s) that fit the context of the heritage site, giving special reference to the six Cultural World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. The relevant qualitative and quantitative data were gathered via in-depth interviews, field observation, literature survey and a visitor survey questionnaire. The main themes and sub-themes derived through the thematic analysis were adopted as the theoretical framework for the research to analyze the collected data of the six Cultural World Heritage Sites and the selected digital techniques. Based on the results, the study recommends appropriate digital techniques for each Cultural World Heritage Sites of the country. Further as aimed, the study presents a conceptual framework for on-site digital interpretation developments for cultural heritage sites by categorizing the 24 criteria derived for data analysis under five phases namely ‘Prepare’, ‘Assess’, ‘Design’, ‘Implement’ and ‘Sustain’.

Using New Tools to Attract Visitors to Museums and Heritage Sites

This chapter discusses the ways in which museums and heritage sites have adapted to the need to create technology-based experiences in recent decades culminating in the intensive online provision during the COVID period. The aim of both online and live visits should be as inclusive as possible of different audiences, stimulating interesting, rich, multi-cultural experiences that encourage re-visitation or at least recommendation to others. Ideally, sites should create meaningful as well as memorable experiences. This process includes several aspects and is very complex requiring the combination and harmonisation of education, heritage interpretation, marketing skills, and local initiatives. This chapter uses case studies to analyse the extent to which museums are rising to these challenges above, including the principles of the so-called ‘new museology', the need for more innovative technology to create visitor experiences, and COVID-19.

Flip-teaching methodology for university tourism guide and heritage interpreter courses

Flip-teaching is a methodology in which the roles of lecturers and students are reversed, and effective learning is obtained by using ICT and encouraging independent study by students. This methodology inverts the traditional learning patterns and responsibilities of the lecturer, as well as the location, because university students obtain both theoretical and practical knowledge outside the classroom by working on contents provided by the lecturer. The aim of this research is to analyse how students on the Tourist Guide course of the Degree in Tourism at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) design and produce subject materials using the flip-teaching method. In the university training on tourist guiding and heritage interpretation, students develop relevant skills, such as the ability to generate messages from a key idea to provoke emotions in visitors, and other communication skills to facilitate visits and improve user experiences. The results show a more intensive use of class materials by students.

Heritage making and interpretation in postcolonial Harbin: contemporary urban memory of the Russian-built Harbin Railway Station and beyond

PurposeThis paper critically analyses the urban memory and heritage interpretation of postcolonial Harbin, a city in China that was founded by the Russians in 1898. It investigates the role and making of Russian colonial heritage in contemporary Harbin with a detailed case study of the Harbin Railway StationDesign/methodology/approachResearch methods include archival analysis, observation and semi-structured interview. In-depth interviews were conducted with local people, architect/urban planners and officials.FindingsLocal people of different generations with different backgrounds have different interpretations of the recently made colonial heritage of the Harbin Railway Station. The urban memory of Harbin has been consistently re-forming with both nostalgia and amnesia. Younger generations tend to regard the colonial heritage as their own heritage and a symbol of Harbin's cultural character without considering much about its related colonial history. In today's Harbin, colonial heritage as the “colonial past presencing” is more about a feel of the Europeanised space rather than the actual historical events of the period, and colonial heritage making becomes a tool for urban development and revitalisation at the institutional level. However, due to the paradigm shift in China's urban development, Harbin is facing new challenges in dealing with its colonial heritage.Originality/valueHarbin is an under-researched case in terms of urban heritage studies. This paper offers a new entry point for understanding the westernisation and colonial heritage making in the contemporary China more deeply and thoroughly and helps to see the trend of China's urban development more clearly.

The Place of Inspiration in Heritage Interpretation: Views From the Field

While the idea of inspiration spans the history of the field, inspiration as a topic has been an under-studied phenomenon in the interpretation field. Thirty-three professional interpreters from 21 agencies across North America participated in dialog on the topic of inspiration in interpretation through Internet-based World Café sessions. The dialog was rich and thoughtful, and revealed that these interpreters believed that inspiration is the goal of interpretation and that the nine characteristics of inspiration identified in the literature and reviewed in our prior publication were relevant to interpretation: that inspiration is two-sided, transmissible, positive, individual, transcendent, unexpected, holistic, requires receptivity, and receptivity may be cultivated. Identified barriers to using an inspiration-based approach in interpretation included meeting the needs of agencies, and particularly the agency’s needs for quantitative measurements of attendance and impacts.

ASSESSMENTS OF STORYTELLING INTERPRETIVE PANEL AT HERITAGE SITE: A CASE STUDY OF VISITORS’ EXPERIENCE AT DATARAN MEDAN BANDAR, ALOR SETAR, KEDAH DARUL AMAN

The aim of this study is to find out the existing ‘realities’ on storytelling at heritage sites. The gap is visitor’s expectation between storytelling presentation versus perception of heritage visitors. There were instances in the country whereby misrepresentation and/or inappropriate descriptive information in storytelling has resulted in visitors experiencing disappointment, disorientation, and ignorance of heritage significance. The researchers decided to investigate further on this and had selected a site for case study that was the Dataran Medan Bandar, Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman. A sequential mixed methodology was employed. The study began with literature review, site inventory and observation activities in order to obtain qualitative information. This was followed by visitors’ survey and a semi-structured interview with stakeholders to obtain their views on historical and cultural values to validate the quantitative data findings. The explanatory factor analysis was used to analyse the data and the results showed that over 40% of total respondents perceived ‘storytelling’ as extremely important attributes of heritage interpretation during the visit. In terms of the post-experience, the results showed that 18% of the respondents proclaimed of having ‘dissatisfied experience’ after reading the description on interpretive signage, with ‘uninteresting storytelling’ being the main reason. Almost half of total respondents (49%) believe that improvement of ‘Storytelling Content Creation’ was needed at the Dataran Medan Bandar. It is hoped that the findings obtained are expected to inspire conservation stakeholders to start making ‘heritage interpretation’ as a top priority when designing interpretative signs at heritage sites.

Hot interpretations of difficult heritage: the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre in China

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the construction of national heritage through the interpretation of sites and events, with a particular focus on hot interpretation at difficult heritage sites. Design/methodology/approachThis paper examines the processes of difficult heritage interpretation at the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre over the past 30 years, and examines the resulting political implications.FindingsAligning with contemporary national social and political agendas, heritage interpretation at the Memorial Hall actively serves as an authorised educational tool. Despite the hot interpretation techniques used to stimulate the emotional impact of visitor experiences, this particular traumatic past has been utilised in nation building practices that legitimise specific histories and form a national image on an international stage.Research limitations/implicationsHeritage interpretation of difficult history will benefit from open dialogue and assessment of the past from multiple perspectives. This requires all stakeholders to work together to develop interpretation strategies that acknowledge and prioritise the needs of post-conflict societies. Without this form of open dialogue and reflection, the official claims of heritage interpretation achieving reconciliation between conflicted peoples remain superficial. Originality/valueThis study offers a novel contribution to the discussion of heritage interpretation. The results shed light on the cultural processes surrounding state interpretation of traumatic pasts for specific political uses. The study suggests ways in which heritage sectors and authorities can achieve social goals, such as public education, reconciliation and peacebuilding, through such processes of heritage interpretation.