“Preserving Austria’s audiovisual cultural heritage since 1960.” That’s the silent promise held within the walls of the Österreichische Mediathek. It started as the Österreichische Phonothek. The Austrian Mediathek safeguards over two million sound and video recordings. These capture Austrian cultural and contemporary history. Imagine the voices and images spanning from the 19th century to today. They are all carefully preserved within this building.
The Austrian Mediathek is part of the Technisches Museum Wien since 2001. It acts as the national archive for audio-visual treasures. Think of it as a time capsule. It holds everything except film and photography. The Mediathek’s mission extends beyond mere storage. It actively collects audio-visual media created in Austria. It also gathers international recordings related to Austria. The Österreichische Mediathek selectively records TV and radio programs received in Austria.
Preservation is key. The Austrian Mediathek excels in digitizing and digitally archiving materials. This ensures these precious recordings last for generations. Scientific projects meticulously review the archives, enriching our understanding of their content.
Step inside the Austrian Mediathek. Explore collections covering music, literature, history, politics, and science. Discover a diverse range of sound carriers. From shellac records to CDs and DVDs, they have it all. The Austrian Mediathek even preserves various file formats.
Some unique collections call the Austrian Mediathek home. There is the Austrian Institute for Scientific Film. There are live recordings of Austrian Parliament sessions. Imagine listening to Burgtheater premieres dating back to 1955. The Rot-Weiß-Rot collection features post-war radio recordings. The Günther Schifter collection boasts shellacs from the inter-war period. Don’t forget recordings of selected radio and TV broadcasts. Oral history interviews and estates of Austrian artists and scientists enrich the archive.
Even if you cannot visit in person, you can access parts of the collection online. Virtual exhibitions and online databases showcase central subject areas. Explore an acoustic chronicle of Austrian history from 1900 to 2008. Delve into radio journals from 1967 to 1999 on the “journale.at” platform. “Österreich am Wort” offers over 9,000 sound recordings and videos on Austrian cultural history.
The Austrian Mediathek isn’t just a repository. It’s a dynamic institution creating audio-visual resources. They record lectures, discussions, and press conferences. They capture radio broadcasts and everyday life. This ensures a comprehensive record of Austrian society.
Many audio and video clips are accessible online. This option grows daily. The Österreichische Mediathek makes its cultural heritage available for all. As you leave the Austrian Mediathek, remember its vital role. It preserves Austria’s audio-visual memory. It ensures these sounds and images resonate for generations to come.