Libraries across Northern Ireland host the BBC’s virtual reality tour this summer
As part of its partnership with Libraries NI the BBC is taking its best virtual reality experiences out on tour this summer, bringing them to local libraries across Northern Ireland.
Published: 29 May 2019
Virtual reality is an extraordinary way to experience a story, by immersing yourself in it completely you get a huge connection to it.
Starting today in the Ormeau Road Library, Belfast, and running throughout the summer, members of the public will be able to pop into libraries across Northern Ireland to try out experiences from the BBC, including an opportunity to step inside Doctor Who’s TARDIS for the very first time.
There will also be opportunities to have a go at using the award-winning 1943 Berlin Blitz VR Experience, which was created by BBC Northern Ireland and Immersive VR Education, in partnership with BBC VR Hub; and to travel the Nile and explore the heart of the Democratic Republic in the Congo VR Experience.
Working with Libraries NI in Northern Ireland, the events are part of the UK-wide tour of more than 70 libraries, with the help of Libraries Connected, Scottish Library and the Information Council.
Fans keen to try out virtual reality from the BBC can find out if their local library is hosting an event by logging on to bbc.co.uk/vrtour The website will be updated each week with details of where the tour is heading next.
Zillah Watson, head of BBC VR Hub, says: "Virtual reality is an extraordinary way to experience a story, by immersing yourself in it completely you get a huge connection to it. The trouble is that headsets are expensive, and only a very small number of people have them at home. That’s why we wanted to bring some of our favourite experiences out on the road, and by putting them into local libraries across the UK we’re hoping to give everyone the chance to try out virtual reality."
Andy Martin, Executive Editor, Factual & Innovation, BBC Northern Ireland, says: “We are really proud of the emotional connection that the Berlin Blitz VR experience has had on the audience - particularly those who fought in, or were affected by, the Second World War. Viewers join the RAF on a bombing run during the Berlin Blitz, and we explain the impact that aerial attacks had on those in the air and on the ground. Many have described how moving they have found it. It’s great to be able to make it and other VR experiences available to more people across the country this summer."
Jim O’Hagan, Chief Executive, Libraries NI, says: “The way in which we tell and listen to stories has greatly changed. Advances in technology means storytelling is no longer just presented in the form of traditional books but also through other formats such as audio and digital.
“Many people will not have had the opportunity to experience stories brought to life, as never before, using virtual reality. We are delighted to work with the BBC on this exciting initiative and would encourage members of the public to come along to a local participating library, pull on an Occulus Go headset and try out this new and immersive experience for free.”
The first event takes place in the Ormeau Road Library in Belfast on Wednesday 29 May from 2-4pm.
This VR experience is for people 13 years of age or older. Anyone under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
MD
Doctor Who: The Runaway
A brand new Doctor Who virtual reality experience lets fans step inside a VR version of the TARDIS for the first time. Jodie Whittaker voices an animated version of the Thirteenth Doctor, who recruits the viewer as her unlikely assistant in a race against time to return a strange and potentially dangerous creature called Volta to his home planet. Armed with their own sonic screwdriver, it’s down to the viewer to help the Doctor as she faces the forces of evil in this immersive VR story.
Congo VR
Congo VR is a three-part news documentary series that takes viewers into the heart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of Africa’s most dangerous and beautiful countries. Viewers go on assignment with BBC Africa correspondent Alastair Leithead, and get up close and personal with rare lowland gorillas, journey with the UN in an armoured vehicle to a refugee camp and visit the ruins of former President Mobutu’s palace deep in the jungle.
1943 Berlin Blitz
1943 Berlin Blitz is a powerful film in which viewers join the RAF on a bombing run during the Berlin Blitz. Placed in the footsteps of BBC war reporter Wynford Vaughan-Thomas and sound recordist Reg Pidsley, who genuinely went on this mission in 1943, viewers will experience sitting in the belly of Lancaster bomber ‘F for Freddie’ as VR transports them high over Berlin in the midst of anti-aircraft fire. Wynford’s commentary was one of the most ambitious and dangerous reports to be made during World War Two, and viewers can step into his shoes to experience war reporting as never before.
People Just Do Nothing VR
Some libraries will also be showing People Just Do Nothing VR, a short 360° version of the hit sitcom. Viewers have been kidnapped by Chabuddy G and the Kurupt FM crew, and are sat on the sofa of Steves’ flat while MC Grindah and DJ Beats run through a hit to try and convince you to sign them to your record label.
