HyKe

Safeguarding hybrid cultural heritage: Future-proof strategies for the Federal Preservation Film Programme

The Federal Preservation Microfilming Programme has been a central component of German cultural heritage protection since 1961 and, in accordance with the Hague Convention, ensures the protection of outstanding written sources in the event of armed conflict. However, in an era of digital transformation and increasing geopolitical risks, the established microfilm system faces new challenges: microfilm production is at risk of being phased out, digital data is vulnerable to manipulation, and wars or disasters can destroy both the original and the backup copy. The HyKe (Hybrid Cultural Heritage) project is developing a future-proof hybrid preservation strategy that combines analogue long-term stability with digital resilience. Through four areas of focus – civil defence planning, long-term archiving, digital infrastructure and workflow analysis – risks are assessed, new storage media are evaluated, cost-benefit models are developed and practical recommendations are drawn up for the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK). Together with partners from the fields of archival science, digital humanities and cultural heritage protection, an integrated approach is being developed to safeguard Germany’s cultural identity in the long term – even in times of crisis. The results will strengthen the resilience of Germany’s cultural heritage and ensure sustainable preservation that complies with FAIR and CARE principles.