Audiovisual? What does that mean?
By "audiovisual" we include all synchronous technical means of communication that appeal to the visual or auditory senses of the human being. This refers to cameras, recorders, projectors or screens in general.
What can we learn from audiovisual media?
Audiovisual materials contain story, truths and our presence, they allow us to hear voices from those who can't no longer speak, observe events we can't no longer attend and see places we are not able to visit. By listening and looking at captured moments from another time and place, we can appreciate and learn from their contained uniqueness.
Bollywood, for example, is the popular term used for the Hindi-language film industry that began in Bombay, now known as Mumbai, India, in the 1930s and developed into an enormous film empire. Bollywood movies are known for their colorful costumes, vibrant dance numbers, melodramatic plots, and catchy music. The films reflect India's cultural diversity, social reality, and historical changes. Bollywood is not only a source of entertainment, but also a source of inspiration, pride, and identity for many Indians at home and abroad. You can learn a lot about the Indian history and culture just by watching Bollywood movies. These films preserve part of India's heritage.
Or Nollywood, which is the name given to the Nigerian film industry, which is one of the largest and most prolific in the world. It produces about 2,500 films a year, more than Hollywood. The term Nollywood was coined in the early 2000s when an article in the New York Times described the Nigerian film industry. However, Nollywood is not just an imitation of Hollywood, but an expression of Nigeria's cultural diversity, social reality and creative power. Nollywood films showcase the diversity and richness of Nigeria's heritage and promote national awareness and patriotism. Their films are also an important medium for cultural exchange and dialogue with other countries and communities. Nollywood films are seen and appreciated in many parts of the world, contributing to the global popularity and recognition of Nigerian culture.
Moreover, footage of historical events are contained, like the second world war, that teach us about mistakes in the past, or Fall of the Berlin Wall, that marked the physical reunification of a divided city and country, but it also represented a peaceful revolution against dictatorship and the desire for freedom. We can look up the talk of revolutionaries and let us inspire by their courage and motivation. Like Nelson Mandela, who was a great orator, anti-apartheid activist and politician who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, his speeches are still remembered today. "I Am Prepared to Die" is the name given to the three-hour speech given by Nelson Mandela on 20 April 1964 from the dock of the defendant at the Rivonia Trial. The speech is so titled because it ends with the words "it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die". The speech is considered one of the great speeches of the 20th century, and a key moment in the history of South African democracy. You can find a collection of his speeches at the Nelson Mandela Foundation website.
So audiovisual heritage can teach us about diversity and culture, about the past and the present. The day supports the 4 goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, Quality education, and for a good education it is important to learn from the past and audiovisual heritage makes this possible!