On Thursday, May 18, museums around the world welcomed visitors with free entry to commemorate the 20th anniversary of International Museum Day. Since the International Council of Museums (ICOM) initiated the celebration in 1977, these institutions have used the day to spotlight their cultural assets and their role in society.
In this issue, participants spanned continents—from China to Cuba, with stops in Italy and Germany—embracing the theme Museums, sustainability and well-being. The day highlighted how museums contribute to community resilience, environmental awareness, and people’s quality of life.
Chilean history took center stage as ICOM Chile organized a webinar marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Mesa de Santiago and presenting the final report of a roundtable on The Development and Role of Museums in the Contemporary World, organized in collaboration with UNESCO.
Across Ecuador, youngsters enjoyed free admission in Manta and Bahía de Caráquez, while Guayaquil hosted night visits and live painting events. The celebrations included film screenings, a Wilson Castillo concert, and theatrical performances that evening.
Uruguay extended the celebrations through the month with the Montevideo + Museums program. More than thirty activities took place in twenty-two museums, including the Historia del Arte Uruguayo cycle at the National Museum of Visual Arts, guided visits to archives at the National Museum of History, and a recycled art toy collection at the Museo El Toy Shop.
Exhibitions and activities honoring sculptor and ceramist Marta Arjona (1923-2006) were featured, underscoring her impact on rescue and recovery efforts. Recycling workshops in Cuba complemented the commemorations, emphasizing the protection and care of cultural assets.
In Puerto Rico, the Center for Conservation and Restoration (CENCOR) hosted a month of conferences with webinars and educational talks, paired with a Behind the Art discussion that offered deeper insights into conservation practice.
Spain’s flagship events centered on the Reina Sofía Museum, which hosted more than twelve hours of concerts broadcast by Radio 3. The program showcased a wide range of genres—from rock and flamenco to electronic music—and featured performers such as Natalia Lacuna, Silvia Pérez Cruz, and groups like Polish Girl and Bogota Burns.
Italy concentrated most activities in Rome, with the Casal de Pazzi Museum offering workshops on how Prehistory informs sustainability. The Napoleon Museum hosted a leisure tour spanning the late 18th to early 19th centuries, while the Museum of the Roman Republic and the Garibaldi Monument hosted the event Occhio al trucco!, exploring how history builds community. A new projection project was also launched during the celebrations.
Germany presented an organ concert at the Musical Instrument Museum in Berlin, and the Allied Museum invited visitors to trace the footsteps of the U.S. garrison. The Lipstick Museum offered makeup demonstrations under the guidance of a professional artist, adding a playful note to the day’s activities.
In the United Kingdom, a hall concert hosted by the Royal Academy of Music celebrated the evolution of keyboard music in London, accompanied by a string quartet and opera singers, illustrating the rich legacy of musical heritage.
In eastern China, the Fujian Museum showcased an exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road, tying its origins to the broader narrative of the New Silk Road and its modern implications for cultural exchange.
Note: These events reflect a worldwide commitment to accessibility, education, and the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage. They demonstrate how museums serve as community anchors—educational spaces, cultural hubs, and catalysts for sustainable development. The celebration also highlights the ongoing collaborations among museums, public institutions, and international organizations to safeguard cultural assets for future generations.