DIGIstoryteller

Digital narrator: refugee Attica

Implementation period: 2022- 2023
Contracting authority: ""Research and Innovation Partnerships in the Region of Attica""
Tools: Augmented Reality, App, Multimedia, Internet

This program offers a digital tour exploring various corners of Attica, with a particular focus on locations tied to refugee movements. It covers historical events such as the influx of refugees in 1922, including the establishment of refugee neighborhoods and their impact on the city center. Additionally, it delves into more recent migratory flows, such as Romanians from Istanbul, Russian Ossetians, Cypriots in 1974, and migrations from Poland, Albania, and the Czech Republic during the 1990s. Lastly, it sheds light on the current migration issue, highlighting the experiences of refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and other countries.

The aim is to demonstrate the multicultural character of Attica and to present interesting aspects of the creation and evolution of the city and its districts, while the emphasis will be on the emotional approach and the common experiences of migration and settlement.

The implementation of the programme has been undertaken jointly by Diadrasis, το UNIWA, το ΚΕΑΕ η Τime Heritage και η ICI ΚΟΙΝ.Σ.ΕΠ. under the Attica Operational Programme "RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PARTNERSHIPS IN THE REGION OF ATTICA"

Diadrasis primarily focuses on utilizing augmented reality environments to enhance the presentation of virtual content. This includes improving the visual recognition of large objects through mobile devices and integrating artificial intelligence technologies to personalize tour content according to user preferences. Additionally, Diadrasis aims to expand the range of multimedia presentation methods, ensuring maximum user engagement and interest.

More specifically, we created:

1. Digital Platform
Introducing “DIGIstoryteller,” our innovative digital platform offering a captivating tour of Attica’s corners, with a special focus on the refugee flows from 1922 to the present day. Through the power of digital storytelling, we aim to create a space where refugees can share their personal narratives, fostering empathy and deeper understanding. With a user-friendly interface, visitors can effortlessly explore and engage with the platform, immersing themselves in the diverse stories of resilience and hope.
2. Documentation System
To support DIGIstoryteller, a comprehensive database was developed to house the extensive and diverse material collected for enriching digital applications. This database enables seamless interoperability between various systems and ensures smooth data migration to web and mobile devices. The chosen platform for hosting the Documentation Database is heurist (https://heuristnetwork.org/), specifically designed for research data and humanities collections. Developed by the Diadrasis team, it adheres to international documentation standards, serving both the usability needs of the team and the research objectives of the project.
3. Guided Tour Application
Diadrasis has created a digital tour app that revolutionizes the way users engage with documentation material. Leveraging innovative technologies like augmented reality, geolocation, artificial intelligence, and content personalization, the system offers a unique multimedia and emotionally immersive experience to visitors. The application is freely accessible on tablets and mobile devices (Android και iOS).