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Articles

Vol. 52 No. 1 (2025): CAA2025 Digital Horizons: Embracing Heritage in an Evolving World. Proceedings of the 52nd Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology

Designing a mobile digital application for the Museum of Asia Minor Culture: Enhancing intangible cultural heritage through digital storytelling

DOI
https://doi.org/10.64888/caaproceedings.v52i1.938
Submitted
January 2, 2026
Published
2026-03-10

Abstract

The Asia Minor Catastrophe of 1922 constituted a major rupture in cultural continuity, leading to forced displacement and the fragmentation of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. In this context, the Museum of Asia Minor Culture in Aigaleo seeks to preserve and communicate the traditions, memories, and lived experiences of Asia Minor refugees. This study investigates the design and development of a mobile application that employs interactive digital storytelling to document and disseminates Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) linked to displacement and refugee memory. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining qualitative materials such as oral histories, archival photographs, and museum artifacts—with the design and prototyping of a mobile application using contemporary development frameworks. Digital storytelling techniques guided the integration of multimedia elements, including audio narration, visual content, and interactive pathways, while user-centered design and usability testing involved museum visitors and cultural experts. Evaluation results indicate that the application enhanced visitor engagement, supported contextual understanding of exhibits, and strengthened connections between tangible objects and intangible traditions. The study concludes that mobile digital storytelling can function as an effective interpretive tool for museums, contributing to the preservation, accessibility, and communication of ICH, particularly in institutions with limited resources and audiences seeking more experiential forms of engagement.

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