Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience

So yesterday I went to the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience and it was amazing. The event is a tour through World War One (a.k.a The Great War) and is done through a head set narrative. What does that mean? Well, you go from room to room looking at exhibits and artifacts detailing the time from the start of war to it's end from the Australians side. You where a headset that plays a narrative (or sometimes a repeating ambient noise) as you go through that tells not only the story of the war through key events, but recounts tales from those who were in it. Each are has a narration of around 3-6 minutes, but it is very informative.

There are a few sections that can really effect you emotionally, particularly the trenches section and the memorial section. I have no shame in saying that more so in those sections I was near brought to tears and had I been alone, I probably would have cried. Such an emotional journey. The audio was near perfect and I would really love a copy of the whole thing just to listen to again.

The trenches really brought out the horror of war, seeing those trying to sleep in dug out tunnels, trying to sleep while constant sound of shelling brings it to life. Trying to imagine the nightmare of spending time in a hole with the constant sounds of shelling, wondering if at any moment the place could collapse on you and bury you alive. There was one tale of the witnessing of men going mad, spending days hiding with all that shelling before loosing it and running towards enemy lines, wanting to end the shelling, but instead ends up ending their lives. Watching as people lay slowly dying in constant agony. Truly this was hell on Earth.

My brother and I soon discussed as to whether or not the media (such as shows and games) a moving towards glorifying war as oppose to showing how bad it is. We both agreed that more needs to be done to discourage the glorification and people need to be reminded of what war does to people.

A very worthwhile experience and more Australians need to check it out.