World Day for Audiovisual Heritage – 27 October – is a key initiative for both UNESCO and the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA) to honor audiovisual preservation professionals and institutions that safeguard our heritage for future generations. Around the world audiovisual archives join together annually to celebrate their work with events that not only highlight the vulnerability of these valuable materials, but also to celebrate the often, unheralded work of the institutions that provide protection and preservation, ensuring their availability in the future.

This year’s theme is ‘Your Window to the World‘, refering to the fact that audiovisual materials as documentary heritage allow us to observe events that we cannot attend, to hear voices from the past who can no longer speak, and to craft stories that inform and entertain. Audiovisual content plays an increasingly vital role in our lives as we seek to understand the world and engage with our fellow beings.

Download the official World Day Poster (English)

FIAT/IFTA encourages its members worldwide to celebrate World Day by taking any kind of initiative that puts the spotlight on audiovisual heritage in a positive way. Events (physical or virtual), screenings, gatherings, debates, lectures, workshops, courses or trainings, publications or launches, … any initiative increasing the attention of a larger audience is most welcome. Participating organisations are also invited to use the hashtag #audiovisualheritageday, and to register their event via the website of the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA).

Happy 2020 World Day for Audiovisual Heritage!