Since 2007, 27th October has been World Day for Audiovisual Heritage Day and its aim is to build global awareness of the need to preserve audiovisual material, such as sound recordings and early films. Many early sound recordings and films have been lost because of neglect, natural decay and technological obsolescence. Therefore organizations such as UNESCO felt that something needed to be done to preserve them before more were lost as they are a unique part of each countries national heritage. 

Marking the day

The day is marked by programmes organised between national film archives, television, and radio as well as discussions, conferences, and special screenings of old films. We even have our own freeview channel of old black and white films Talking Pictures and some of their 5 - 10 minute Glimpses are facinating reminders of how life used to be.