Films and recordings: keeping fragile memories accessible
· BehindLines newsroom
With World Day for Audiovisual Heritage approaching on 27 October, UNESCO is highlighting endangered archives and the work needed to pass them on. In a presentation published on 20 October, the organization describes projects in Somalia and Zambia. Preserving the physical recordings also means keeping open the possibility of recovering local voices, images and stories.
Collections that document everyday life
According to UNESCO, one project concerns the preservation and digitization of about 45,000 analogue tapes held by Radio Mogadishu. The recordings include music, news and entertainment programmes. In Zambia, the national broadcaster’s collections face risks associated with poor storage, natural disasters and ageing formats. The assistance described combines restoration, digitization and migration to formats that can remain usable.
These projects make a seemingly abstract question tangible: what remains of an era when its records still exist, but become difficult to consult?
Keeping sounds and images within reach
For the 2026 edition, the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations, or CCAAA, is bringing together announcements of events around 27 October. It explains that this heritage includes films, video, recorded sound and digital media. The day aims to draw attention to their vulnerability and support lasting access. The events referred to here are still ahead.
The problem extends beyond the condition of a tape. In its presentation of a magnetic tape alert project, the professional association IASA also describes the gradual disappearance of playback equipment, spare parts and servicing. It recommends digitization and transfer to secure digital repositories. This preservation assessment provides technical background; it is not a new measurement of progress on the projects described in 2026.
Preserving a collection therefore requires attention to three distinct things: the physical carrier, its recorded content and the means of accessing it. A commemorative day brings the issue into view. Passing the material on depends on the continuing work of archive teams.