Every year, on or around May 18; International Museum Day is celebrated in coordination with the International Council of Museums (ICOM). Created in 1977, IMD serves as museum professionals’ opportunity to reach the public and alert them of the challenges that museums are facing. It is therefore a platform for public awareness on the role museums play in the development of society today on an international level.
The event theme changes yearly. This year’s theme of International Museum Day is – Museums and contested histories: Saying the unspeakable in museums.
This theme focuses on the role of museums that, by working to benefit society, become hubs for promoting peaceful relationships between people. It also highlights how the acceptance of a contested history is the first step in envisioning a shared future under the banner of reconciliation.
In 2016, 30,000 museums from 145 countries have participated. The number is expected to grow this year as this international event is gaining popularity among cultural institutions from around the world.
I see that some of them are in the us. This is very cool for the places to do this.
I didn’t know this! Funny enough, we visited a local museum around those dates. If I would have known I would have made a bigger deal about it.
I love going to museums while traveling. Definitely need to take advantage of this “holiday” this coming year.
Thanks for sharing.
We love museums, this is great and there are so many around the world! We will have to check them out while we are traveling!
International museum sounds like a great event. I need to make sure I visit my local museum next May!
What a great museum, I’ve never been there and I really love those photos. I’ll make sure to visit there one day.
What a great thing for students! I’ll share with my friends who have kids on break now.
Happy International Museum Day!
i would love to visit a museum soon in honor. they can be such fun especially on dates with the right people
I love the idea of speaking about “contested histories.” So often, the book of history is written by conquerors and doesn’t tell the full story!