Finally someone has identified a big gap in the tourism market in Italy and has developed something for teenagers. We first heard about a unique kickstarter campaign in the works aimed at getting teenage kids more involved in Florentine history using the latest technology, and naturally we were intrigued.
Noted author and Florentine-phile Mary Hoffman is joining with the visionary publisher Sarah Towle to apply 21st century technology to the timeless genius of Michelangelo. Together, they are producing an interactive history app targeted to young people with an engaging -- and bilingual -- tour of Florence built right in. Titled ‘The StoryApp Tour’, the concept was created in order to get teens excited about local history. Which is a noble concept in itself.
Sarah has now launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for Mary's StoryAppTour: “In the Footsteps of Giants,” the tale of the making of Michelangelo’s David, the world's most famous sculpture. The goal of the effort, which runs until June 26th, is to raise $40,000 on Kickstarter, the biggest crowd-funding platform, for Sarah's start-up multiplatform publishing company, Time Traveler Tours & Tales. Find the link to the campaign here.
To let you guys know what happen when the is money raised, the company will develop Mary’s StoryAppTour -- including programming, art curation and graphics, including recording and engineering sound, specifically for the iPhone. Then, using the app’s creative features, they'll publish interactive, traditional, audio books. ”
To give you more of an idea, “In the Footsteps of Giants” will allow users to meet the young model who posed for the David -- and who serves as the person narrating the tale. They'll go behind the scenes to tour Florence, walking the same streets Michelangelo walked, as they view archival images, and hunt for historical artifacts. During the adventure, the user will take part in drag-and-drop puzzles and games. For more information, check out the livestream of their launch event here.
We asked ‘why’ they felt like creating an app, especially when so many come to the city and hire a guide first hand. Sarah divulged that “many kids (and adults) find it hard to grasp the distant past, I’f I am completely honest, they find history boring. But with these interactive tours, people and places come alive. They're no longer just facts in a textbook, turning history on for kids.”
“History is a million stories waiting to be told. It’s cool people, great adventures, and artwork that helps us understand who we are and where we’re going,” Sarah says. “But who wants to read a text book? We immerse readers in the stories through colorful characters, and all at the tips of their fingers.”
Florence, the world's most spectacular living museum, was the obvious place to expand the concept. Fortunately for future readers, Mary, a journalist and international bestselling author of more than 90 books for children and young adults, including the award-winning Stravaganza series, an adventure set in Renaissance Italy, met Sarah when they were co-teachers at a writers retreat there.
Mary's and Sarah's efforts are complemented by a corps of talented Florentines and renowned international artists and professionals. Thanks to their contributions, backers of this Kickstarter campaign have a variety of great rewards to choose from including:
- Win the future StoryApp for a $25 donation.
- Enjoy a recipe book of Tuscan favorites compiled by TTT&T Florence Friend, Vincenzo (Enzo) Ferrera, for only $50.
- Own an original or limited edition prints of the original artwork of the map-maze by award-winning illustrator, Roxie Munro that will grace Mary’s StoryApp Tour and derivative projects. These will be available, along with the app and other rewards, at the $250, $500, $1000, and $5000 donor levels.
- Get a custom live tour of “In the Footsteps of Giants” followed by dinner at Florence's Osteria del Porcellino with Mary or Sarah for a contribution of $2500 (airfare and hotel not included).
To support the kickstarter campaign, read more and donate here.
