The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage
What is a Film Museum?
November 25, 2022
On October 27, 1980, UNESCO's General Conference adopted a document entitled "Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images." This was the first time that such a high-ranking institution like the United Nations recognized the importance of film preservation for world peace and security. Twenty-five years later, UNESCO declared October 27 the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. Ever since, UNESCO and FIAF, the International Federation of Film Archives, have encouraged film museums, film archives and cinematheques worldwide to celebrate the day by showcasing our "precious collections so that present and future generations can enjoy the treasures that are our shared audiovisual heritage."
At the Austrian Film Museum, we have never paid any particular attention to this date because of our long and essential tradition of showcasing cinema from various collections, including our own, on a daily basis, not just once a year. In a way, we celebrate the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage and the importance of cinema for humankind every day. But this year we have decided to make an exception and celebrate the day – with a slight delay – to draw your attention to two remarkable, brand new cinematic works that – each in its own way – reach to the very heart of what we do at the Film Museum. (Jurij Meden)
On October 27, 1980, UNESCO's General Conference adopted a document entitled "Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images." This was the first time that such a high-ranking institution like the United Nations recognized the importance of film preservation for world peace and security. Twenty-five years later, UNESCO declared October 27 the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. Ever since, UNESCO and FIAF, the International Federation of Film Archives, have encouraged film museums, film archives and cinematheques worldwide to celebrate the day by showcasing our "precious collections so that present and future generations can enjoy the treasures that are our shared audiovisual heritage."
At the Austrian Film Museum, we have never paid any particular attention to this date because of our long and essential tradition of showcasing cinema from various collections, including our own, on a daily basis, not just once a year. In a way, we celebrate the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage and the importance of cinema for humankind every day. But this year we have decided to make an exception and celebrate the day – with a slight delay – to draw your attention to two remarkable, brand new cinematic works that – each in its own way – reach to the very heart of what we do at the Film Museum. (Jurij Meden)
Link Film Collection
