The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2024: Date, history, and significance

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, observed each year on October 27, celebrates the dedication of audiovisual preservation professionals and institutions who work to safeguard our cultural heritage for future generations.

The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, celebrated annually on October 27, recognises the dedicated efforts of professionals and institutions working to safeguard our audiovisual cultural heritage for future generations. Established by UNESCO in 2005, this day emphasises the significance of preserving audiovisual materials like films, sound recordings, and broadcasts, which are vulnerable to challenges such as chemical decay and technological obsolescence.

ALL ABOUT WORLD DAY FOR AUDIOVISUAL HERITAGE

This day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of audiovisual documents that capture the cultural, societal, and historical narratives of the world.

Audiovisual heritage represents a critical piece of our collective memory, and preserving it ensures that future generations retain access to these invaluable records.

In an era where digital formats dominate, the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage shines a light on the need to protect older, often fragile, media formats at risk of being lost.

Each year, a unique theme highlights different facets of audiovisual heritage.

HISTORY OF WORLD DAY FOR AUDIOVISUAL HERITAGE

The roots of this observance trace back to 1980, with an early recommendation to preserve audiovisual records.

It was formally established during UNESCO’s 33rd General Conference, where Resolution 53 was adopted, designating October 27 as World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.

SIGNIFICANCE OF WORLD DAY FOR AUDIOVISUAL HERITAGE

This observance is key in inspiring preservation professionals to persist in their mission despite social, political, financial, and technical challenges.

The day aligns with UNESCO’s Memory of the World Project, initiated in 1992, which aims to protect and provide universal access to cultural materials by addressing threats like chemical decay and obsolescence.