Mexico celebrates International Museum Day

Since May 18, 1977 , museums from all over the world have gathered to commemorate the International Museum Day , seeking to raise awareness on the important role they play in society.

According to the International Council Of Museums (ICOM), the Advisory Committee determines the theme of this annual celebration, which can last a day, a weekend, or even an entire month.

Museum Day has become very popular, with nearly 30,000 spaces organizing activities in over 120 countries around the globe.

This year’s theme is “ Hyperconnected museums: New approaches, new publics . ” The term “hyperconnectivity” was created in 2001 to designate the multiple communication media of our time.

According to ICOM’s website, “It is impossible to understand the role of museums without taking into account all the connections they make. They are an inherent part of their local communities, their cultural landscape, and their natural environment.”The Council suggests that technology has helped museums reach beyond their local audiences and that the digital world can be a powerful tool to attract more visitors.

“It can be the digitalization of their collections, adding multimedia elements to the exhibition or something as simple as a hashtag that allows visitors to share their experience in social media,” said the official statement.

Several museums in Mexico , such as the National Museum of San Carlos , the Museum of Modern Art of Mexico City , the National Anthropology Museum , and the National History Museum , among others, have eagerly joined the initiative by digitalizing their collections, making them accessible to a broader audience, and encouraging social inclusion.

Mexico celebrates International Museum Day

National Museum of Art, from the outside - Photo: File Photo/EL UNIVERSAL

The Palace of Fine Arts Museum

will offer free admission on this special day, as well as guided tours to the exposition: “ Híbridos. El cuerpo como imaginario ,” (Hybrids: The human body as imaginary), and the workshop “ Coloreando la fiesta de Chucho Reyes," (Coloring the party of Chucho Reyes).

On its part, The National Museum of Art (MUNAL) , will present its second edition of Museum Speed Dating, in which participants are meant to “go on a date” with specialists working at the galleries and to switch every five minutes when hearing a bell.

Mexico celebrates International Museum Day

People waiting in line at Mexico's Palace of Fine Arts - Photo: Jessica Espinosa/EL UNIVERSAL

You may access the digitalization of over 115 records and objects from different museum collections in Mexico at the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) website, here .

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