The great archives competition: an adventure in history!

News | Culture
(30/05/2024)
The University of Barcelona has announced the celebration of International Archives Day 2024 with an innovative and exciting activity that aims to bring citizens closer to the world of records management and archiving. Under the title “Searching for the lost file”, the UB is organising a competition based on the search for clues and resolution of enigmas, offering a unique opportunity to explore its archives in a dynamic and educational way.
News | Culture
30/05/2024
The University of Barcelona has announced the celebration of International Archives Day 2024 with an innovative and exciting activity that aims to bring citizens closer to the world of records management and archiving. Under the title “Searching for the lost file”, the UB is organising a competition based on the search for clues and resolution of enigmas, offering a unique opportunity to explore its archives in a dynamic and educational way.
The initiative has two main aims: on the one hand, to disseminate the importance of the study of primary sources and the historical context; and on the other, to increase the visibility and interaction on social networks of the institutional accounts of the University Archive.
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The competition, open to everyone, consists of looking for a QR code hidden in several points of the UB’s Learning and Research Resource Centres (CRAI) at the different campuses, where, in parallel, there is also an intermediate archive: Historic Building, Mundet Campus, Raval Campus, Diagonal Nord and Diagonal Sud. This QR code will also be shared on the UB Archive’s social networks (Instagram and X: @ArxiuUB). When participants scan the code, they will be redirected to a web space with questions related to content about the Archive, such as references to past publications or information on the Archive’s website.

The competition starts on 3 June and will be open until 10 June. The questions can be answered between 3 and 7 June, and participants will have until Monday 10 June at 12.00 noon to complete the final phase. The first three people to solve the riddle will receive special prizes, consisting of lots of UB merchandising worth approximately 100 euros. In addition, all participants who reach the final phase of the competition, but do not win, will be entered into a draw for an additional gift valued at 10 euros.

The activity will begin on 30 May through the various communication channels of the Historical Archive and Documentary Heritage Office of the UB. The awards ceremony will be held on 12 June at the UB’s Historic Building, and will be attended by the winners and will include photographic and video coverage for the University’s social networks.

The event not only promotes citizen participation in the study and appreciation of documentary heritage, but also underlines the importance of archives in the preservation of our collective history. With “Looking for the lost file”, the UB invites everyone to embark on this archival adventure and discover the treasures hidden in its documentary collections.

The UB’s Historical Archive and Documentary Heritage Office manages more than five thousand linear metres of paper documentation distributed among six repositories in Barcelona, including the Historical Building. Its mission is to organise, describe, evaluate, conserve and disseminate the documents in its custody. This office ensures the preservation of the documentary heritage, and makes the information accessible to the university community, researchers and the general public. It also digitises documents to ensure their preservation and facilitate their access.