The Ministry of Culture (MOC), Ministry of Education (MOE), National Palace Museum (NPM), Chinese Association of Museums (CAM) and Taiwan Museum Foundation are collaborating with museums and local cultural centers across Taiwan to celebrate International Museum Day.
Observed on May 18 annually, the International Museum Day was declared in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te, President of Chinese Association of Museums Hsiao Tsung-huang (蕭宗煌), MOE's Department of Lifelong Education Deputy Director Yen Pao-yueh (顏寶月), NPM's Director Hsu Hsiao-te (徐孝德) and representatives from various museums attended the press conference which announced a series of celebratory events last week.
On May 18, more than 50 museums and local cultural centers across the nation will offer free entry or discounted ticket prices for museums. A lucky draw will also be launched on the "518 Museum Day" Facebook page.
"The Power of Museums (博物館的力量)" is the theme of this year’s International Museum Day. It conveys the message that museums have the power to transform the world in terms of sustainable development, digital innovation and education. In line with this year’s theme, MOC joined forces with several museums and released two videos that show the interview with museum workers, documentation of their work process and footage of visitors experiencing the museums. In addition, an online exhibition website was launched, which presents approximately 80 online exhibitions and digital resources covering the areas of humanities, arts, nature, and others.
Minister Lee said that museums have knowledge, history and culture as resources to transform the world. He noted that the power of museums has been severely underestimated in the past, and in recent years, local museums have demonstrated their importance through various forms of events.
Minister Lee also added that Taiwan's museums are actively participating in major international events. This year, CAM will lead a delegation of 60 people to the conference in Prague to promote the power of Taiwanese museums.
For more information, please visit MOC "518 Museum Day" website.