By Otikpa Cordelia
Museums: A gate way to the past, present, and future”. Today, May 18th, 2025 marks the celebration of International Museums Day, a day dedicated to promoting the importance of museum in every society. Museums play a vital role in collecting, preserving, conserving, researching and exhibiting the cultural heritage and fostering creativity.
Museums play a very significant function in a dynamic society serving as: cultural hubs through showcasing different cultural heritages, promotion of understanding and appreciation of diverse traditions.
Museums provide Educational Services through interactive learning experiences, fostering curiosity and critical thinking. Museums engage local/host communities in promoting social cohesion and inclusivity. The relationship with the local community helps in fostering unity and protection of the tangible and intangible cultural properties.
Museums inspire innovation, creativity and artistic expressions. The artistic expression of the past are research material that can promote further studies and establish positive improvement.
The Museum is the store house of cultural regalia that documents, preserves historical records and artifacts and readily providing valuable insights into the past.
Museum attracts tourists, contributing to the local economies and promoting cultural tourism. The role of museum in a dynamic society can never be overemphasized by driving innovation and creativity, contributing to tourism and economic growth, educating the public through educational services using the cultural objects and more, project museums; role in shaping the cultural landscape of a society.
In this year’s international museums day celebration with the theme: “The Future Of Museums in Rapidly Changing’ Communities”, highlights the transformative role museums play in shaping sustainable and inclusive communities.
Museums across the country and globally will be hosting events and exhibitions to commemorate this special day. Visitors can expect to participate in exhibitions and view art displays, historical artifacts that showcase the rich cultural diversity of the Nation.
Museums are not just repositories of the past but also gateways to the future. They inspire the public to learn, create and innovate.
Happy International Museums Day!
CALL TO ACTION.
Join us in celebrating International Museums Day today 18th May, 2025, and discover the wonders of our cultural heritage.
Visit your local museums and experience the history, art, and science!
Our Culture is our Pride!
MRS OTIKPA CORDELIA,
National Commission for Museums and Monument, Igboukwu, Anambra State.
