World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, observed every year on October 27, invites us to pause and appreciate the vast treasure of moving images and sound recordings that document our cultures, communities and histories. On this day archives, broadcasters, libraries and heritage organisations around the world highlight the fragility of audiovisual materials, the urgency of preservation and the rich stories contained within film reels, tapes, radio programmes and digital recordings.

History of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

The origin of this observance lies in the recognition that audiovisual records are at risk of loss — through decay, technological change or neglect. In 1980 a major international recommendation was adopted to safeguard moving images and other audiovisual sources. Later, in 2005 it was formally proclaimed that October 27 would become the annual date to draw attention to this heritage. The first celebrations followed shortly afterwards, and since then the day has grown into a global moment for awareness and action.

Why is World Day for Audiovisual Heritage important?

This day matters because audiovisual materials capture voices, faces, dialogues and sounds — they preserve dimensions of human life that still photography or text alone cannot always convey. When we lose them, we lose memory, we lose nuance, we lose part of what connects us to our past. Recognising this day is a nod to both what has been saved and what remains in danger.
Moreover, it reminds us that preservation is not just technical but cultural, ethical and communal. It asks us to consider who decides what is saved, what narratives are recorded, and how future generations will access, understand and reinterpret these materials. In many ways, the day becomes about responsibility, memory and connection.

• It highlights the value of audiovisual records as cultural and historical documents
• It acknowledges the vulnerability of film, sound and video to deterioration or obsolescence
• It invites institutions and individuals to take action in preserving this heritage
• It fosters public awareness and respect for archivists, technicians and heritage workers
• It encourages reflection on how our own lives are recorded, remembered or forgotten

How to Observe World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

You don’t need to be an archivist to participate in this day. A meaningful start is simply watching or listening to a recording from the past — perhaps a childhood video, an old radio programme or a historic film clip — and reflecting on what it captures, why it matters and what might be lost if it were gone. You could also visit a local archive or heritage centre (if possible), attend a screening of restored material, or support an organisation that works in audiovisual preservation.
For educators or media enthusiasts, organising a discussion or even a short workshop about how audiovisual media records change over time — formats, access, rights — is a practical way to enhance awareness. Online, you might share a favourite clip or story about an archival discovery, tagging friends and inviting them to explore their own audiovisual memory.

• Watch an older film, home video or broadcast and take note of what you learn about yourself or your community
• Visit a museum, library or archive that shows historic audiovisual materials
• Research a forgotten audio or video recording in your local history and share it with others
• Support or donate to a preservation initiative or organisation working with audiovisual archives
• Post a reflection or memory about a recording that influenced you and ask others what recordings they treasure

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage Dates Table