Press Releases

The Department of Antiquities of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works and the Cyprus National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), announce that, within the framework of the International Museum Day, 2022 (18^th May), under the theme “The Power of Museums”, and the European Night of Museums (14^th May), numerous events will be organised, most with free entrance.

The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of the multiple roles of Museums and their importance in society. With this year’s theme “The Power of Museums”, ICOM aims towards showing the power that Museums have as hubs of social change and sustainable development. Museums transform people. By studying, preserving and presenting the past, they open up new horizons and form new innovative ideas, aiming towards building a better future. They are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples. With the events taking place this year, ICOM wants to explore the potential of museums to bring about positive change in their communities through three lenses:

The power of achieving sustainability: Museums are strategic partners in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. As key actors in their local communities, they contribute to a wide variety of Goals, which include fostering short-circuit and social economy and disseminating scientific information on environmental challenges.

The power of innovating on digitalisation and accessibility: Museums have become innovative playing-grounds where new technologies can be developed and applied to everyday life. Digital innovation can make museums more accessible and engaging, helping audience understand complex and nuanced concepts.

The power of community building through education: Through their collections and programmes, museums thread a social fabric that is essential in community building. By upholding democratic values and providing life-long learning opportunities to all, they contribute to shaping an informed and engaged civil society.

Organised on and around the 18th of May each year, International Museum Day celebrations can last a day, a weekend, a week or an entire month. Participation in International Museum Day is growing internationally. In 2021, more than 37,000 Museums participated in the celebrations, in around 158 countries. In Cyprus, this year’s programme includes events organised in more than 21 museums and other cultural institutions.

The public can download the programme of events from the Department of Antiquities’ website (www.mcw.gov.cy/da) and social media (Facebook and Instagram), as well as from the websites of the participating museums. The events will also be promoted on the social media of the museums.

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6/5/2022

MV/ΙΚ