In remarks to QNA: Museum Experts Affirm Museums Role in Sustainability, Wellbeing

 

Culture- Qatar- Arts and culture

 

Doha, May 17 (QNA) - Museums are vital cultural platforms and unique spaces for education and social communication. At a time when awareness of environmental challenges and the need for sustainability is being heightened, the role of museums in bringing about positive change is being increasingly recognized. And in light of the role that museums play in protecting and documenting the cultural and historical heritage, the world celebrates on the 18th of May every year the International Museum Day to highlight museums as a cultural institution that preserves material and immaterial evidence of peoples and civilizations.

International Museum Day was established in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM - established in 1946), with the adoption of a resolution during the ICOM General Assembly in Moscow, Russia. The aim was to create an annual event with the aim of creating an annual event "with the aim of further unifying the creative aspirations and efforts of museums and drawing the attention of the world public to their activity. " It also reflects the growing recognition of the importance of museums and their positive impact on local and global communities, and the promotion of awareness of the value of culture and heritage as vital elements for sustainable development and quality of life.

On this occasion, it is recalled that "Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples."

Since1992, an annual theme was set to celebrate International Museum Day, and in 1997 a visual identity was allocated for this day by issuing an official poster for this event representing the celebrated theme.

Regarding the celebration of International Museum Day this year, which came under the theme "Museums, Sustainability and Wellbeing", a number of local and international specialists in the field of museums agreed, in exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), on the importance of this event, emphasizing the role of sustainability in these facilities that preserve the memory of nations and peoples.

In this regard, Director of International Cooperation and Governmental Affairs in Qatar Museums Fatima Hassan Al Sulaiti, Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures, exchange of concepts and cooperation between peoples.

She added that at Qatar Museums, they work hard to highlight the various museums with their diverse activities, and they are keen to make the visitor’s experience unique. Recently, she indicated, a new definition of the museum was adopted by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), which is: "A museum is a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability. They operate and communicate ethically, professionally and with the participation of communities, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing." She noted that t this is an indication of the importance of the role played by museums and the feasibility behind developing and changing the concept of museums in societies. 

Director of Cultural Heritage Protection at Qatar Museums Abdullatif Al Jasmi, said in a similar statement to /QNA/ that International Museum Day is not only an occasion to spread awareness of the importance of museums as educational institutions, but also an occasion to change perceptions about the importance of cultural, artistic and creative exchange and to preserve the lessons learned throughout history.

He noted that through the approved theme for the International Museum Day 2023, Qatar Museums, as a leading institution in museum work, is stimulating reliance on sustainable solutions in museums and cultural spaces of all kinds, and the development of well-being in the cultural heritage sector, in order to ensure its continuity for future generations and transfer part of the Qatari cultural heritage to the outside world.

In his statement to QNA, Director, Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar Essa Al Mannai, expressed his happiness with the opening of Dadu Gardens in 2022 during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and the frequent visits from the public, who expressed their happiness at providing learning opportunities and developing children's abilities through a safe, fun environment that promotes innovation, in addition to the school and community programs that the team has provided over the past years.

Essa Al Mannai thanked Qatar Museums for its interest in establishing a children's museum, as well as all sponsors of the Children's Museum in Qatar, expressing his aspiration for more cultural and educational achievements at the level of Qatar, the Arab world and the world.