National Audiovisual Centre

The National Audiovisual Centre (French: Centre national de l'audiovisuel, or CNA) is a cultural institution located in Dudelange, Luxembourg, within the canton of Esch-sur-Alzette. Established in 1989 and placed under the authority of the Ministry of Culture, the institution functions as both a professional archive and a public platform. Its primary mandate is to safeguard, promote, and make accessible the audiovisual heritage of Luxembourg. This encompasses photographic, audio, and film works produced either by Luxembourgish creators or within the country itself. Beyond its preservation role, the centre operates as a general exhibition and performance venue, engaging the public through screenings, publications, conferences, and other cultural events.

The CNA was created in 1989 under a specific law establishing the institution. Subsequent legislation in 2004 and 2022 regarding the reorganization of state cultural institutes further defined and updated its official missions. From its inception until the end of 2015, the institution was directed by Jean Back, after which Paul Lesch succeeded him. Over its history, the centre has expanded its technical operations, notably undertaking a mass digitization project that has processed more than 13,500 hours of video and audio content to secure and provide access to the nation's media heritage.

The holdings of the CNA are dedicated to the preservation of Luxembourgish audiovisual and photographic heritage. The collection is broad, encompassing moving images, sound recordings, and a rich assemblage of photographs. These resources are maintained for both professional and public use, serving as a foundation for the institution's cultural communication initiatives. The archives support a wide library that facilitates public access, and the photographic collections in particular are utilized as the basis for organizing exhibitions and publishing books.

Among the specific works preserved in the CNA's collections are the film "Leif Letzebuerger" directed by Ray Tostevin and photographs by Marianne Majerus. These examples highlight the institution's commitment to archiving significant film and photographic works tied to Luxembourgish culture and history.

The CNA is based in Dudelange, Luxembourg. Its main building is equipped with specialized infrastructure to support its archival and cultural missions. The facility houses two cinema spaces named Starlight I and Starlight II, alongside two exhibition areas designated Display 01 and Display 02. The site also contains a mediathèque, an e-shop, sound and photography studios, and the physical archives. The building's inauguration was covered as a production event, marking the formal opening of these integrated technical and public spaces.

The National Audiovisual Centre is located in Dudelange, in the canton of Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg. It operates under the administrative helm of the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture. As a platform open to the general public, visitors can access the mediathèque, the exhibition spaces, and the two cinema screens for various screenings and cultural events. The institution also maintains an online presence and e-shop, with further practical information regarding its various sites and services available on its official website at http://www.cna.public.lu/.