Introduction
For many of us, we have fond memories of sitting on the lap of a parent, auntie, or grandparent, listening carefully and closely not to miss a word of their experiences, memories, and life stories. We didn’t know it then, but they told us their stories for a reason--so that we may learn from their experiences and to teach us about our family, our traditions, shared customs, and moral values. Our elders told us stories about themselves so that we might benefit from the wisdom that comes from lives long-lived. As adults, we now realize the importance of these stories, especially now that so many of our elders are no longer with us. Only now do we fully appreciate our grandparents’ memories and stories.
However, sometimes we are the only ones who remember such stories, and as time goes by it becomes harder for us to recall their rich detail and colorfulness. Unfortunately, we carry these memories in our hearts and minds, but too often we do not pass them on. We think: Who wants to hear these old stories?
We do, because we know that a story not told is a story not heard. We know that when we make the time in our busy schedules to sit and listen to each other’s life stories, we are certain to discover wonderful things about each other. But if we do not take the time to listen and capture and preserve our life stories, they will most certainly disappear. Without stories, we have no memories.
Our project is about saving and sharing our memories and life stories—for now and for future generations.
We encourage the use of video and audio recordings to capture and preserve memories and life stories. A person’s voice, face, and body gestures are an essential part of who they are, and these features are reflected in their stories. Photographs are important, too. Furthermore, we think that the Internet is the best way to preserve and share our stories. It also guarantees that everyone with a computer has a chance to contribute to our growing archive and to organize content effectively so that others can access it.
However, sometimes we are the only ones who remember such stories, and as time goes by it becomes harder for us to recall their rich detail and colorfulness. Unfortunately, we carry these memories in our hearts and minds, but too often we do not pass them on. We think: Who wants to hear these old stories?
We do, because we know that a story not told is a story not heard. We know that when we make the time in our busy schedules to sit and listen to each other’s life stories, we are certain to discover wonderful things about each other. But if we do not take the time to listen and capture and preserve our life stories, they will most certainly disappear. Without stories, we have no memories.
Our project is about saving and sharing our memories and life stories—for now and for future generations.
We encourage the use of video and audio recordings to capture and preserve memories and life stories. A person’s voice, face, and body gestures are an essential part of who they are, and these features are reflected in their stories. Photographs are important, too. Furthermore, we think that the Internet is the best way to preserve and share our stories. It also guarantees that everyone with a computer has a chance to contribute to our growing archive and to organize content effectively so that others can access it.
Who We Are
Memoro - the Bank of Memories is an international non-profit project dedicated to the collection of the memories, experiences, and life stories of people born before 1950. We accept audio and video recordings of interviews, as well as photographs.
The project was started in Turin, Italy during August 2007. Our first website was launched on June 15, 2008. Since September 2009, the project has been managed in Italy by Banca della Memoria ONLUS (Bank of Memories NPO Association) and it has been spread in a lot of countries where qualified people are running it establishing a network of NPOs/different bodies worldwide.
The project was started in Turin, Italy during August 2007. Our first website was launched on June 15, 2008. Since September 2009, the project has been managed in Italy by Banca della Memoria ONLUS (Bank of Memories NPO Association) and it has been spread in a lot of countries where qualified people are running it establishing a network of NPOs/different bodies worldwide.
How it Works
All of the content on our site comes from people like you interested in preserving and sharing memories and life stories with others.
User Uploads. Anyone can contribute a video or audio recording and become a "Memory Hunter" . Contributors can use their video camera, smartphone, camera, audio recorder or other digital recording device. Once recorded, users can easily upload their stories. Interviews will be given their own page. Here the user can modify, add or delete content. Now users can also organize content by creating "paths" (sets of audio and video stories) to share with other Memory Hunters and visitors.
Editorial Collection. Our editors review and process all audio and video uploads. Where necessary, edits subtitles, and attributions will be created. The editorial staff will also categorize stories and propose a series of paths to better organize the content.
User Uploads. Anyone can contribute a video or audio recording and become a "Memory Hunter" . Contributors can use their video camera, smartphone, camera, audio recorder or other digital recording device. Once recorded, users can easily upload their stories. Interviews will be given their own page. Here the user can modify, add or delete content. Now users can also organize content by creating "paths" (sets of audio and video stories) to share with other Memory Hunters and visitors.
Editorial Collection. Our editors review and process all audio and video uploads. Where necessary, edits subtitles, and attributions will be created. The editorial staff will also categorize stories and propose a series of paths to better organize the content.
Funding
Memoro - the Bank of Memories is a non-profit organization, but it required economical resources to operate and maintain. All funding helps us fulfill our mission, maintain the site, support the free availability of online interviews, maintain new and existing initiatives, and help support project growth worldwide.
1) Individual and corporate donations help support the project. Learn how to make a safe and secure donation by clicking here.
2) Sponsors are welcomed to help preserve our memories and life stories as a part of our shared social and cultural heritage. For our corporate sponsors, we offer a special opportunity to preserve the experiences of employees, just to give you a hint. Some examples are available at "portfolio". Please contact us for more information.
3) Government and public agencies also have an opportunity to preserve their stories as well. We also provide training and develop school participation programs where students become memory hunters by restoring the dialogue between generations--all too often interrupted today. There are also projects aimed at RSA where the involvement of the staff allows educators to give the interview and the story a therapeutic value. Some examples are available at "special".
1) Individual and corporate donations help support the project. Learn how to make a safe and secure donation by clicking here.
2) Sponsors are welcomed to help preserve our memories and life stories as a part of our shared social and cultural heritage. For our corporate sponsors, we offer a special opportunity to preserve the experiences of employees, just to give you a hint. Some examples are available at "portfolio". Please contact us for more information.
3) Government and public agencies also have an opportunity to preserve their stories as well. We also provide training and develop school participation programs where students become memory hunters by restoring the dialogue between generations--all too often interrupted today. There are also projects aimed at RSA where the involvement of the staff allows educators to give the interview and the story a therapeutic value. Some examples are available at "special".
