Interactive heritage: interactive expositions in the Butrimonys museum

By project DIGITALIZE

Published on 17 September 2024

Lithuania

Vidurio ir vakarų Lietuvos regionas

Alytaus rajonas

About this good practice

Alytus district (Lithuania) lacked modern, interactive ways of presenting cultural heritage until now, so the aim was not only to preserve the heritage of three nations - Lithuanians, Tatars, Jews - but also to attract tourists through modern technologies. This museum is the first interactive museum in Alytus district, created as part of the project "Cultural heritage tells about us" implemented by the Butrimoniai gymnasium of Alytus district, and its partner, the Municipality of Piš district (Poland).
Visitors can directly interact with the exhibits that provide a living experience of the three nations. Using interactive maps and displays, visitors can explore the sights of Butrimonys area, see Jewish, Tatars, Lithuanians life between the 2 world wars, listen to traditional prayers, view photographs of local people. Traditional dishes can also be tasted virtually. Interactive games, technological installations engage visitors of all ages, thus strengthening educational and tourism goals. The virtual tour created allows visitors to walk around the museum from a remote place.
In addition to providing the necessary resources, Alytus district municipality, as the school's maintainer, ensured that the project was in line with the region's tourism development strategy and has contributed to the long-term sustainability.
Main beneficiaries are tourists, educational institutions, the local community, who gain access to cultural heritage presentations in a modern way.

Resources needed

Around 235,000 EUR was allocated from the Interreg V-A Lithuania-Poland program for setup. Annual maintenance requires 10,000 EUR for software updates and repairs, with human resources including 1 museum expert, and digital content support staff for upkeep and improvements.

Evidence of success

Since opening in 2023, the Butrimonys museum has attracted over 1,000 visitors, boosting local and international tourism. Visitor surveys show 90% positive feedback, with high praise for the educational value of digital exhibits. The interactive features have made it a favored spot for school groups, sparking greater interest in local history. This has established the museum as a key educational and cultural site in the Alytus district.

Potential for learning or transfer

The practice of the Butrimonys museum has great potential for learning and transfer to other regions due to its successful application of digital technologies to cultural tourism. The main success factors are interactive exposition, digital innovation and the integration of local cultural heritage into tourism and education activities. Other regions that want to promote local tourism and preserve cultural heritage can adapt this experience by creating interactive museums or exhibitions.
Success is ensured by the support of the local community and the tourism sector, together with the introduction of innovative technologies. However, a lack of financial resources or technological capacity may hinder transfer. This practice can be particularly useful for regions with a rich cultural heritage that aim to modernize and attract new tourists and educational institutions.