18th of May 2005 Museums day II

By: Hatto Fischer, Athens

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International Museum Day

In 1977, the International Council of Museums (ICOM), during its 12th General Assembly in Leningrad and Moscow, adopted a resolution designating May 18 as International Museum Day. Delegates to the assembly felt the resolution would bolster recognition for museums and provide a reminder to governments and the general public of the very special role museums play in preserving cultural heritage.

The United States first celebrated the day when President Jimmy Carter designated May 18, 1979 as National Museum Day. Since then, city councils and governors across the country have issued proclamations declaring May 18 as International Museum Day for their communities or states.

Beginning in 1984, annual themes have been suggested to better coordinate international celebrations. The theme for 2005 is "Museums Bridging Cultures." The annual theme is intended to be adaptable to museums of all types and sizes with activities taking place on or around the 18th of May.

AAM and ICOM urge museums across the country to recognize International Museum Day within their institutions. Past museum activities have included coordinating openings of exhibitions with International Museum Day, developing theme related educational programming, hosting behind the scenes tours, extending free passes, and holding drawings for free museum membership. 

 

 

 

Each Year the 18^th May

International Museum Day has been celebrated all over the world since 1977. Each year, a theme is decided on by the Advisory Committee. The event provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them to the challenges that museums face if they are to be - as in the ICOM definition of museums - "an institution in the service of society and of its development".
The chosen topic is also discussed in ICOM News, a review of the related activities is produced and made available to members of ICOM.

It has been recommended that this celebration be held each year on 18 May (Given that each country has its own specific traditions and conditions, we recommend that members organise their events around 18 May), in the spirit of the motto: « Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, co-operation and peace among peoples »

The ICOM Secretariat invites all members to celebrate International Museum Day around 18 May.
Suggested activities to celebrate this event.

THEMES:

"Museums bridging cultures "
2004 "Museums and Intangible Heritage"
2003 "Museums and Friends"
2002 "Museums and Globalisation"
2001 "Museums: building community"
2000 "Museums for Peace and Harmony in Society"
1999 "Pleasures of discovery"
1997-1998 "The fight against illicit traffic of cultural property"
1996 "Collecting today for tomorrow"
1995 "Response and responsibility"
1994 "Behind the Scenes in Museums"
1993 "Museums and Indigenous Peoples"
1992 "Museums and Environment"

Only in 1992 it was decided to have a theme for the International Museum Day

International Museum Day is made possible by the Réunion des musées nationaux (RMN) and the Direction des musées de France (DMF).

 

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