International Museum Day is being celebrated tomorrow and this year’s theme is Museums (memory + creativity) = social change.
Our rich heritage, which museums both display and protect, is associated with inventiveness and vitality, both of which have characterised the museum sector in recent years and are museums’ greatest strengths.
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) established International Museum Day in 1977 to increase public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society. Momentum has been rising unabated ever since.
In 2012, International Museum Day garnered record-breaking participation with almost 32,000 museums hosting events in more than 129 countries.
Activities
All the world is celebrating this day with various cultural activities, including Malta:
Today
Sacred or Profane: Prehistoric and Ancient Pendants From the Maltese Islands
Lecture by Professor Anthony Bonanno, as part of the current exhibition organised by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti at Casino Maltese, Valletta, at 6.30pm. Admission is free.
Malta Classic Car Collection Museum, Qawra
One-off display of specially exhibited cars from the 1930s, with special guided tours and wine tasting. Open today from 10.30am to 3.30pm and tomorrow from 10.30am to 10.30pm. Tickets at the door.
Paint It Like Preti
Educational workshop featuring the 17th century painting manufacturing techniques of Mattia Preti, led by Heritage Malta’s senior conservator Ray Spiteri. Participants will work off a preliminary drawing, mix their own colours and paint their own masterpiece just like Preti did. From 10am-2pm at Grand Master’s Palace, Valletta. Admission: €25; this includes all materials (including paintbrush, etc) and a guided tour of the Mattia Preti exhibition. Tickets from all Heritage Malta sites and museums.
Tomorrow
St John’s Co-Cathedral and Museum, Valletta
Admission is free between 1pm and 5.30pm.
Catherine’s Turn
Double bass player Gjorgji Cincievski with dancers Sandra Mifsud and Douglas Comley, in collaboration with Heritage Malta, have created a short performance inspired by Mattia Preti’s The Martydom of St Catherine. At 11.45am, 12.15pm, 12.45pm, 1.15pm, 1.45pm at Grand Master’s Palace, Valletta. Admission: Same as exhibition entrance.
Sunday
Jewellery Making Workshop for Children
Organised by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti to coincide with the exhibition Vanity Profanity & Worship: Jewellery from the Maltese Islands. At 11am, at the Casino Maltese, Valletta.
Life at Sea
Open day (from 9am to 5pm) at the Malta Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa, on the occasion of European Maritime Day. The museum exhibits will be brought to life by re-enactors, historians and curators who will be on site to provide fresh insight into Malta’s unique maritime past. Admission is free.