Volume 52, Issue 1

This paper examines a preservation of intangible socio-cultural values of cultural object through the process of digitization, a participatory method, and an on-site preservation method. This research uses digital museum Museum Benda as the case study, where the objects are archived digitally. The objects represented socio-cultural values of a certain community of users and makers, including the social innovations that are found in their everyday life. In this case, the participatory approach becomes one of the methods to study the objects. In addition, on-site preservation through digitization is also one of the means to be able to preserve the artifact in its original site, while simultaneously storing and publishing the digital information. Museum Benda does not only allow the re-data of cultural objects digitally but also plays a role in preserving objects through an on-site approach by reviving community activities, building identity, and maintaining human and natural resources.

The revival of the value of cultural heritage is imperative for the conservation of this asset. An anchoring between past and present is essential for any nation concerned with preserving this rich heritage, and protecting it from deperdition. A new conceptualization of the preservation of Tunisian cultural heritage in a post-crisis context integrates the role of the state as well as the private sector/NGOs and international institutions to conserve and subsequently promote this heritage. This approach tends to revive certain components of cultural heritage and to revitalize the economic sphere that revolves around it. This research focuses on the integration of digitalization and innovative techniques in order to preserve or even promote Tunisia’s cultural heritage. Qualitative research, through the combination of in-depth interviews and focus groups, was carried out with the governmental sector, private/NGOs, and foreign institutions whose aim is to promote this heritage. The combination of the results of these sectors tends to provide a pragmatic picture of the current post-crisis situation in addition to important managerial contributions. An analysis of the qualitative corpus via T-LAB Plus 2022 made it possible to identify the technologies most mentioned by the respondents.

This case study explores the author’s use of techniques and processes associated with the digital humanities to research, create, and present a digital history project in Newport, Rhode Island. This is done by detailing and critically reflecting on the process of developing a multimedia tour and podcast episode based on the author’s original published research that investigated the role of music and social dancing during Newport’s emergence as a world-class resort in the Nineteenth Century. The multimedia tour featured in this case study makes use of digital location-based web and mobile application technologies to deliver a text and image-driven narrative with sonic enhancements augmenting the history. The podcast episode features place-based audio storytelling techniques which also enrich the understanding and potential reach of the subject. The multimedia tour and podcast episode in conjunction with the author’s original published research all work collectively to preserve Newport’s summer culture history. Some lessons learned include recognizing the advantages of utilizing established platforms, collaborating with experts, and embracing system constraints to optimize narrative focus.