What are the distinctive challenges and opportunities of immersive heritage interpretation in the context of a sacred heritage site? We congratulate Roberta Gilchrist (University of Reading), Janet Bell, Alex Book, Claire Fear, Olivia Hinkin, Simon Hobbs, Jennifer Matravers, Jon Meggitt, Nic Phillips and Vanessa Ruhlig on the publication of their article ‘Immersive sacred heritage: enchantment through authenticity at Glastonbury Abbey’, which addresses this question.
The paper reflects on how immersive approaches can be designed to respect the spiritual ethos of sacred heritage, in relation to the open-air heritage site of Glastonbury Abbey (Somerset, UK). Here, a cross-disciplinary team collaborated in the design of an immersive experience to engage visitors. Authenticity and biography emerged as powerful conceptual tools to reconcile potential tensions between immersive storytelling and the spiritual values of place.