International Museum Day: Date, Theme, History & Significance

International Museum Day: It is observed on 18 May to raise awareness among people about the museums as an important means of cultural exchange and development of mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace among people. Let us have a look at the history, themes and significance.

International Museum Day: Date

As per ICOM, more than 37,000 museums participated in the event in about 158 countries and territories last year. This year, ICOM wants to look at museums through “three lenses” to talk about the potential of museums to bring about positive change in their communities. Three lenses are the power of achieving sustainability, the power of innovating on digitalisation and accessibility, and the power of community building through education.

Since 1977, every year, ICOM has organised International Museum Day. The day also represents a unique moment for the international museum community. International Museum Day is celebrated on 18 May.

The day highlights the importance of museums in the development of society. Every year International Council of Museums (ICOM) Advisory Committee organises the theme of the event and various countries celebrate it. The event may last a day, a weekend, a week, or even a month. International Museum Day has gained popularity from America to Oceania including Africa, Europe, and Asia all around the world.

It is rightly said that “Museums have no political power, but they do have the possibility of influencing the political process. This is a complete change from their role in the early days of collecting and hoarding the world to one of using the collections as an archive for a changing world. This role is not merely scientifically important, but it is also a cultural necessity.” – Richard Fortey

Theme:

History:

In 1977, International Museum Day was created by the International Council of Museums. Every year this organisation chooses a separate theme and coordinates it. Some of the themes focus on globalization, indigenous peoples, bridging cultural gaps, caring for the environment, etc. On this day, since 1977, every year all the museums of the world are invited to participate and promote the role of museums in the world by organising several activities that are focussed on the theme. Do you know that in 2009, International Museum Day attracted the participation of 20,000 museums hosting events in more than 90 countries? In 2010, 98 countries participated, 100 countries in 2011 participated, and in 2012 around 30,000 museums from 129 countries participated.

International Museum Day: Celebrations

Several organisations organise free trips to visit museums and it can be related to farming, fashion, space and astronomy, archaeology, art and culture, history, etc. Even people with their relatives, friends, and family also visit nearby museums to celebrate the day.

About International Council of Museum (ICOM)

It is the main organisation of museum professionals with a global scope that is committed to promoting and protecting the natural and cultural heritage. Its commitment to the promotion of culture and knowledge is reinforced by its 31 International Committees which are dedicated to a wide range of museum specialties, have vast knowledge, and have done advanced research in their respective fields for the benefit of the museum community. Not only this, but it also fights against illicit trafficking, assists museums in emergency situations, etc.

Therefore, it will not be wrong to say that Museum plays an important role in preserving and promoting our cultural heritage. Museum collects and preserves our objects and materials of religious, cultural, and historical value. No doubt, it is a storehouse of old artifacts, sculptures, objects, history, etc.

According to ICOM “As institutions at the heart of society, museums have the power to establish a dialogue between cultures, to build bridges for a peaceful world, and to define a sustainable future.”