FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


Paris, 7 April 2005

ICOM is inviting museums all over the world to celebrate International
Museum Day on 18 May 2005. To pay tribute to cultural diversity and to
encourage museums in their role of spanning various ethnic, religious, and
national divides, this year’s theme is “Museums Bridging Cultures”.
Museums have unique potential for addressing and fostering cultural
understanding in interdisciplinary ways and reaching a wide cross-section of
the world’s population.  The International Council of Museums (ICOM)
supports international initiatives, partnering programs, and multicultural
activities in museums on an ongoing basis.  For International Museum Day,
ICOM also proposes specific activities linked to highlighting this theme on
the 18th of May.

Bridging means “sharing” - the mutual appreciation of differences and
valuing diversity encourages vibrant and innovative approaches.

As Alissandra Cummins, President of ICOM, reflects: “In communities around
the world the museum functions actively and recognizably as a valued
instrument in the bridging of cultures, treating the cultures of rich and
poor, large and small countries as equals, to help develop respect and
appreciation for other cultures, and to enhance these communities’ ability
to equitably interrelate across cultural borders, whether real or imagined.”

This year’s International Museum Day aims at raising public awareness about
the vital role museums play in celebrating differences.  On one level,
museums create a new sense of community by giving value to a common cultural
heritage.  On another, museums can also highlight the role of individuals
and groups whose singularities and differences are the cornerstone of the
diversity inherent to that common heritage.

With more than twenty thousand members in 115 countries, ICOM is itself a
perfect example of a multicultural, interdisciplinary community.  Initiated
by ICOM in 1977, International Museum Day is an annual event establishing
and strengthening cooperation between and among museums and museum
professionals.

It is therefore fitting that this year’s theme is descriptive of the
historical, present and future mission of ICOM, bringing museum people
together worldwide, turning bridges into networks.

For further information about the theme or the activities planned for
International Museum Day :
http://icom.museum/imd.html

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