AR ROUTES AS A TOOL OF DIGITAL COMMEMORATION

Abstract

This article explores augmented reality routes (AR routes) as an innovative tool of digital commemoration in the context of dynamic transformations in public memory. The relevance of the study stems from the fact that traditional static memorial forms are unable to respond promptly to the revision of historical narratives and the multiplicity of interpretations – a phenomenon particularly evident in Ukraine during the processes of decommunization and wartime transformation. There emerges a need for flexible approaches to commemorating the past that can preserve collective memory without irreversible interventions in physical space. The aim of the study is to conceptualize AR routes as a means of digital commemoration and to analyze three key components of their successful implementation: reconstruction of memory space, source verification, and audience engagement. The findings demonstrate that AR routes effectively re-create memory spaces in real-world environments by overlaying verified historical content (archival photographs, 3D reconstructions, audio testimonies) onto specific locations, thus offering users a sense of lived historical presence. The study establishes that successful digital commemoration requires both transparency and authenticity of content (thorough source verification, clear provenance, and feedback mechanisms) as well as active interaction with audiences based on interactivity and inclusivity. The novelty of this
research lies in its interdisciplinary approach: AR routes are interpreted as a new methodological platform of public history, integrating technological innovation with principles of historical accuracy and memory ethics. The practical value of the study lies in its potential application in commemorative practices, museum activities, and the broader cultural field, enabling the creation of interactive memorial projects. The proposed approaches support the preservation and popularization of multilayered historical heritage, foster a more dynamic form of public history, and encourage deeper audience engagement with the past.