By Spy Uganda
Kampala: As the world commemorated International Museum Day (IMD) on Tuesday, Uganda held a vintage car drive in the capital Kampala to raise public awareness on the importance of museums.
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Over 30 vehicles were driven on Monday for 45 km as one of the activities to commemorate the festival, Catherine Ajiambo, research officer at Uganda National Museum, said.
The International Museum Day is celebrated on May 18 every year. The theme this year is “The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine.”
Ajiambo said the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has partnered with other stakeholders to hold activities like vintage drive shows, museum tours and music performances, among others.
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Doreen Katusiime, permanent secretary of the ministry, said the IMD commemorations are part of the government’s efforts to promote heritage, adding that museums are vital for cultural exchange, cooperation and peace among people.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected museum operations, and therefore there is now a need to be innovative and to provide a cultural experience to the society, she said.
About This Day & Its Origin
International Museum Day (IMD) is an international day held annually on or around 18 May, coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The event highlights a specific theme that changes every year reflecting a relevant theme or issue facing museums internationally.
IMD provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them as to the challenges that museums face, and raise public awareness on the role museums to play in the development of society. It also promotes dialogue between museum professionals.
The first International Museum Day took place in 1977, coordinated by ICOM. IMD was established following the adoption of a resolution by ICOM to create an annual event “with the aim of further unifying the creative aspirations and efforts of museums and drawing the attention of the world public to their activity.”
Each year, museum internationally are invited to participate in IMD to promote the role of museums around in the world. They do so through events and activities related to the annual theme. An annual theme for the event was first adopted in 1992. An international poster from ICOM was first developed in 1997, and in that year was adapted by 28 countries.
In 2009, IMD attracted the participation of 20,000 museums hosting events in more than 90 countries. In 2010, 98 countries participated in the celebration, with 100 countries in 2011, and 30,000 museums in 129 countries in 2012. In 2011, the official IMD poster was translated into 37 languages. By 2014, 35,000 museums from 140 countries were taking part in IMD.
