Digital Storytelling for Cultural Heritage: the role of transmediality for an intercultural communication

Traditional approaches to communicate cultural heritage often struggle to captivate younger, digitally native generations who expect more immersive, interactive experiences. In response, heritage sites and museums are increasingly embracing transmediality - the practice of conveying narratives through interconnected media formats - to create richer, multimodal cultural experiences. Digital technologies enable the crafting of dynamic and engaging stories that transcend singular formats, employing 2D and 3D visualizations, virtual environments, multimedia elements, and interactive components to connect audiences with cultural heritage. This article presents the outcomes of two heterogeneous research projects to illustrate the potential of transmedia digital storytelling for cultural heritage. The two case studies selected are the Bagan UNESCO World Heritage Site in Myanmar and a permanent installation at the Museo Egizio in Turin. The diversity of these case studies highlights the flexibility of the operational workflow adopted and the pivotal role of transmedia digital storytelling as a powerful tool for disseminating cultural heritage, offering new ways to foster intercultural communication by engaging diverse audiences across multiple media platforms.