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A Message from the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) 27th October 2026

Celebrated every year on 27 October, the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is a global initiative of UNESCO and the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA). It raises awareness of the importance and urgency of safeguarding our audiovisual heritage, including sound recordings, films, video, radio and television broadcasts, and digital media. The date commemorates UNESCO’s 1980 Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images, which recognised the cultural and historical value of audiovisual records.

This year’s theme, “Your Window to the World,” reminds us how these records connect people, cultures and generations through the sounds, images, voices and stories of our shared humanity.

IASA celebrates the extraordinary diversity of people, professions, institutions and collections that make up our global community. From music and field recordings to oral histories, films, broadcasts and digital collections, our audiovisual heritage preserves languages, traditions, artistic expressions and experiences that enrich our understanding of the world. Every collection has a story to tell, and every voice deserves to be heard.

Yet this heritage remains vulnerable to neglect, technological obsolescence, inadequate resources and deliberate destruction. War and armed conflict pose a particularly devastating threat, endangering collections, destroying cultural institutions and placing irreplaceable memories at risk. Reflecting the theme of IASA’s 2026 conference, Archives in Times of Peace and War, we are reminded that safeguarding audiovisual heritage is also about protecting cultural identity, historical memory and the voices of communities in times of crisis.

IASA honours the archivists, technicians, community custodians and institutions working tirelessly to preserve these invaluable records. We call for stronger international collaboration, sustained investment in preservation, equitable access and greater recognition of the communities whose histories and cultures these collections document.

Let us work together to keep these windows open to all - across languages, borders, generations and experiences. When we safeguard audiovisual heritage, we preserve not only the sounds and images of our past, but also the diversity of human experience and the memories future generations deserve to inherit.

Happy World Day for Audiovisual Heritage!

International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA)

Welcome to the IASA-BAAC 2026 Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania!

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the IASA-BAAC 2026 Conference here in beautiful Vilnius, Lithuania!

We are incredibly excited to have you join us for an inspiring week of presentations, workshops, conversations, and connections. This conference is especially meaningful as it marks the final conference under the leadership of our current IASA Executive Board.

As Vice President of Conferences, I have to admit that I feel both a sense of relief and a little sadness knowing this is the last conference under my purview. These past three conferences have meant a great deal to me, and as we all know, it's all about location!

From Valencia to Honolulu to Vilnius, I feel incredibly fortunate to have played a part in bringing these conferences together. Each location has offered something unique, and each conference has given us the opportunity to explore themes that speak directly to the cultural heritage issues so deeply connected to our field.

More than anything, I am grateful for the experiences, the collaborations, the friendships, and the extraordinary people who have helped make these conferences possible. It has been a privilege to be part of this journey.

As I reflect on what we have accomplished over the past three years, a few highlights stand out.

In Valencia, we introduced IASA's first dedicated conference theme focused on LGBTQ+ archives and communities, creating space for important conversations about representation, identity, and the preservation of marginalized histories. We also expanded our technical capabilities, learning how to successfully manage up to four simultaneous streams of a hybrid conference, making our programming more accessible to colleagues around the world.

In Honolulu, we partnered with SEAPAVAA and intentionally turned our attention to Pacific cultures and heritage, something IASA had long hoped to do. We also brought in speakers to address climate change, not as an environmental concern, but as a cultural heritage issue. Our hope was that these conversations would inspire us to think about how our work, and our association, can be collaborators for positive change.

And now, here in Vilnius, the Local Organizing Committee and I recognized that we needed to address the realities of conflict and war. Sadly, given our current global political climate, these issues are impossible to ignore. The preservation of cultural heritage takes on even greater urgency when communities, histories, and identities are threatened.

Looking back, what connects these three conferences is something I feel strongly about: our work is rooted in culture, not technology.

Yes, technology is an essential tool. It allows us to preserve, restore, document, and provide access to our audiovisual heritage. But technology is not our mission. Our mission is cultural. It is about people, places, and things(noun). It is about the stories we tell, the histories we protect, the communities we represent, and the memories we carry forward.

Technology helps us do the work, but culture gives that work meaning.

As we gather here in Vilnius, I am excited not only to celebrate what we have accomplished together but also to see where the next Executive Board will take IASA. I have no doubt that the association will continue to grow, evolve, and reach new heights.

Thank you all for being part of this incredible community, for your dedication to our shared mission, and for making these past three years so meaningful to me.

Here's to a wonderful conference, to the people and cultures that inspire our work, and to the next chapter of IASA!

Warm regards,

Rosie Marcu-Rowe
Vice President of Conferences
International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA)

Submitted by Andrew Martin

The preliminary programme for the IASA–BAAC 2026 Conference is now available!

Taking place from 19–22 October 2026 at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania in Vilnius, the conference will bring together professionals from around the world working across sound and audiovisual archiving, preservation, access and research.

The programme features keynote presentations, panel discussions and sessions exploring the challenges and opportunities facing audiovisual archives today. It will also provide valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, share experiences and connect with colleagues from across the international community.

Explore the preliminary programme and start planning your conference experience:

https://2026.iasa-web.org/Programm

We look forward to welcoming you to Vilnius in October!

Submitted by Andrew Martin

We're delighted to announce that Early Bird registration is now open for the IASA–BAAC Joint Conference 2026, taking place in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 19–22 October 2026.

Archives in Times of Peace and War: Safeguarding Audiovisual Memory, Identity, and Authenticity

The conference will bring together audiovisual archivists, librarians, conservators, researchers, technologists, and cultural heritage professionals from around the world to share knowledge, ideas, and practical experience.

This year's programme explores some of the most important challenges and opportunities facing our profession, including digital preservation, access, disaster preparedness, emerging technologies, community archives, and the ongoing stewardship of audiovisual heritage.

IASA–BAAC 2026 promises an engaging programme in one of Europe's most historic capitals.

Register during the Early Bird period to secure discounted rates.

We look forward to welcoming you to Vilnius this October.

For programme updates, travel information, and conference news, visit the conference website.

Register now: https://2026.iasa-web.org/Registration

Submitted by Andrew Martin

Our brand-new member profile has officially launched, and the first issue is now in members' inboxes.

This new member profile celebrates the people, projects, and ideas that make our community so unique. Inside you'll find inspiring member stories, news and updates, opportunities for members to connect and contribute, and highlights from across our community.

Every member has a story worth telling, and this feature is a place to connect, inspire, and celebrate our shared passion for audiovisual heritage.

Not yet a member? Join IASA to receive future features and become part of a global community dedicated to preserving audiovisual heritage.

We'd love to feature your story in a future profile. We would also love to hear what you think about the new feature. Have ideas or comments? Please email communications@iasa-web.org

Submitted by Bright Joshua

Dear IASA colleagues,

As you know, 2026 is an election year for the IASA Executive Board. As stated in the IASA constitution: “The Executive Board shall be elected by the members of the Association. Any member in good standing shall be eligible to stand for election.” - See more at: http://www.iasa-web.org/iasa-constitution#part3-Exec

Submitted by Andrew Martin

The International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) is pleased to announce that applications are now open to members for the IASA Travel Awards 2026.

Co-funded by IASA and UNESCO, the Travel Awards program supports members in good standing in attending the 57th Annual IASA Conference, to be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 19–22 October 2026.

With support from IASA and UNESCO, award recipients will have the opportunity to engage with international colleagues, share knowledge and experiences, and contribute to discussions that shape the future of audiovisual archiving, preservation, and access.

The IASA Conference is a unique forum for professionals, researchers, students, and practitioners working across the audiovisual heritage sector. Participants gain valuable opportunities for professional development, networking, and collaboration while engaging with current challenges and emerging practices in the field.

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 12 July 2026.

How to Apply

Full details regarding eligibility, application requirements, and the application form are available on the IASA website:

https://iasa-web.org/travel-awards

For more information about the 57th Annual IASA Conference in Vilnius, please visit:

https://2026.iasa-web.org/2026-Welcome

We encourage eligible members to consider applying and look forward to welcoming participants from around the world to Vilnius in October 2026.

Submitted by Andrew Martin.

The International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) and the Baltic Audiovisual Archival Council (BAAC) are pleased to announce the IASA–BAAC Joint Conference 2026, titled Archives in Times of Peace and War: Safeguarding Audiovisual Memory, Identity, and Authenticity.

The conference will take place 19-22 October 2026 in Vilnius, Lithuania, at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania.

About the Conference

This year’s conference invites submissions that examine how audiovisual archives can be safeguarded in times of peace and war, with a focus on protecting memory, identity, and authenticity in crisis. Key themes include preparedness and resilience planning, protecting people and collections during conflict, preserving threatened community archives (including queer, feminist, and immigrant voices), and ensuring the authenticity of audiovisual records in the age of AI and misinformation.

Proposals for presentations, panels, workshops, and posters are welcome from archivists, researchers, technologists, community practitioners, collectors, artists, organizers and cultural heritage professionals.

Interested presenters are encouraged to consult the Call for Submissions section of the conference website for full guidelines and submission instructions.

Key Dates

• Proposal deadline extension: 27 April 2026

• Further information and submission details: https://2026.iasa-web.org/

We look forward to your contributions and to welcoming the global audiovisual archiving community to Vilnius in 2026