International Festival of Archaeological Films, Nyon
Seventh Festival: 22 to 26 March 2011, Usine à gaz, Nyon
Organised by the Roman Museum. Director: Mr. Christophe Goumand
You can download: the programme 2011
A Festival unique in Switzerland
Every two years, the Roman Museum organises the International Festival of Archaeological Films of Nyon. The Festival has already been held six times – in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009. Nyon has become the prime Swiss venue for devotees of films on archaeology and joins a group of similar festivals in France (Bordeaux, Amiens, Besançon), Germany (Kiel), Italy (Rovereto), Belgium (Brussels), Spain (Oiasso) and Greece (Athens).
The Museum’s aim is a festival that is first and foremost for the public, who thus have an opportunity to discover a variety of topics, and different perceptions of the vast world of archaeology. This very dynamic science is arousing growing interest among an ever wider audience. The documentary film is assuredly one of the most appropriate ways of presenting it and bringing alive its numerous facets.
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A substantial number of high-quality archaeological films already exist, produced either by major film companies or by bodies that include museums, archaeological missions or departments, amateur enthusiasts, etc.
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Admission to the Festival is free, subject to availability
The looting of archaeological sites: a problem at the heart of the 2011 Festival
Throughout the year the Museum informs the public about progress in local archaeological research and encourages its visitors to be aware of what is at stake in the conservation of the archaeological and historical heritage. The looting of archaeological sites destroys the stratigraphic context of the objects discovered and strips them of their scientific value as evidence. Illegal operations in archaeological terrain constitute one of the main threats to the archaeological heritage in the world at large. This is a problem of which the general public is barely conscious as yet.
The Festival, with the support of the Federal Office of Culture, will help to make the public aware of these threats, not only locally but by widening the perspective to the world’s historical heritage. This approach is enhanced by the fact that Switzerland is now endeavouring to pursue a strict policy to combat the effects of the looting of sites, following its ratification in 2003 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention.
The best productions are awarded prizes by a panel of five persons from the milieux of archaeology and the cinema. An audience prize is also awarded.
We would like to thank all those who in various ways support or who have supported the Festival:
the Nyon authorities and the Cultural Service, the Amis des Musées de Nyon, the Federal Office of Culture, the Cercle genevois d’archéologie, the Café Latino, the Usine à gaz, Mr. P.-A. Bertola, the Journal La Côte.
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