This year’s International Museum Day is celebrated on May 18 under the theme of “Museums, Sustainability, and Well-being”. Museums represent an asset to the sustainable development of our communities, preserving the cultural heritage.
The first international day was set by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977 to raise awareness of the importance of museums in developing societies as the living memory of people, providing museum professionals with the opportunity to communicate with the public and alert them to the challenges facing museums if they become. As defined by the International Council of Museums, museums are “institutions in the service of society and its development.”
ICOM chooses a different theme for this day each year, and some topics include globalization, indigenous peoples, bridging cultural gaps, and caring for the environment.
20,000 museums in more than 90 countries participating in International Museum Day 2009, and 2012, the number of participating museums jumped to 30,000 in 129 countries.
Today, there are more museum visitors worldwide than ever before, due to online visits, and there are now more people studying history at degree level than ever before.
The world, as well as the cultural and archaeological circles, celebrates International Museum Day on May 18 of each year, intending to acquaint the communities with the importance of museums to preserve them. According to UNESCO, museums constitute a center for preservation, studies, and reflection on heritage and culture.
Today, it has turned into “permanent, non-profit institutions working to serve and develop society to display antiques for purposes of research, education, and entertainment. Museums are now open for free to the public. The heritage preserved in museums is considered a factor and tool for dialogue between nations and a common international vision aimed at achieving cultural development.
