World Day for Audiovisual Heritage [27th October, 2022]

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is observed every year on October 27 to raise awareness about audiovisual records and the necessity to preserve them. This day was commemorated by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2005. World Day for Audiovisual Heritage aims to make these resources more accessible to the public while emphasizing the need to preserve them for future generations.

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is a global event observed in several parts of the world. Many national broadcasters, museums, sound and film archives, libraries, and major audiovisual associations organize interactive events on this day.

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2022

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2022 will be celebrated on 27th October 2022. Audiovisual heritage consists of films, television programs, radio, and other types of media, primarily produced in the 20th or 21st century. World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is about spreading the word about preserving these media documents. Moving pictures and documents are some of the examples of audiovisual heritage that investigate people's lives and cultures worldwide.

Audiovisual heritage marks the world's collective memory since they are a vital source of information and a window into the past. Therefore, preserving this collective memory is important, and the same is advocated through World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2022 Theme

To encourage participation from all around the world, a unique theme is set every year on World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. For this year, the theme has not been announced yet. Revisit the previous year's theme here:

• World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2021 theme: Your Window to the World
• World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2019 theme: Engage the Past Through Sounds and Images
• 2018 theme: Your Story Is Moving
• 2017 theme: Discover, Remember and Share
• 2016 theme: It's Your Story – Don't Lose It

Why is World Day for Audiovisual Heritage Celebrated?

In today's technological environment, we generate and find most information in digital form. Recognizing this tendency, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) realized that something needed to be done to safeguard audiovisual material. Furthermore, UNESCO recognizes that audiovisual documents contain the history of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Therefore, it announced World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.

In the year 2005, the UNESCO General Conference approved the idea of observing the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage to raise awareness regarding the need to preserve audiovisual material for future generations. Also, to raise urgent measures to conserve this heritage and ensure it remains accessible to the public now and in the future.

History of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

• World Day for Audiovisual Heritage was adopted in 1980 by the recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images at the 21st General Conference of the UN.
• As a result, World Day provides a chance for UNESCO's Member States to assess their progress in implementing the 2015 Recommendation Concerning the Preservation and Access to Documentary Heritage.
• In 2005, the UNESCO General Conference endorsed the World Audiovisual Heritage Day marking.
• It was proposed to create widespread awareness about the need to preserve and safeguard vital audiovisual information for future generations.
• Another critical factor was the need to take immediate action to keep this treasure and guarantee it is available to the public and future generations.

Significance of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage promotes public awareness of the need for immediate action and the significance of audiovisual documents. It also encourages the free exchange of ideas through words and images to symbolize our shared heritage and memories. This day also emphasizes the importance of legacy in providing security and peace of mind.

How to Celebrate World Day for Audiovisual Heritage?

In India, you may observe World Day for Audiovisual Heritage by visiting any of the institutions listed below to learn more about how such materials are crucial for accessing the past.

1. National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune: The NFAI is one of India's most extensive film preservation and conservation repositories, with a massive collection of film reels.
2. Partition Museum, Amritsar: Thousands of historical records from the generation who lived through the country's split are housed at the museum.
3. National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi: Visitors visiting the NGMA may use a first-of-its-kind audiovisual tour app to explore modern Indian artworks and listen to tales about them on their cell phones.

FAQs on World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

Q1. What is World Day for Audiovisual Heritage?

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is a day marked to raise awareness about the audiovisual material produced in the 20th and 21st centuries. On this day, the significance of this audiovisual heritage and the need for its preservation is emphasized.

Q2. When is World Day for Audiovisual Heritage celebrated?

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is celebrated on the 27th of October. It was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

Q3. What was the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2021 theme?

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2021 theme was "Your Window to the World." The theme for this year's Audiovisual Heritage Day has not been announced yet. However, it is expected to be announced soon.

Q4. When was the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage commemorated?

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage was commemorated in 2005 by UNESCO during the General Conference. Since then, this day has been celebrated on 27th October every year.