Press Releases

The Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works and the Cyprus National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), announce that, within the framework of International Museum Day, 2018 (18^th May), under the theme “Hyperconnected Museums: New approaches, new publics”, and the European Night of Museums (19^th May 2018), numerous events will be organized, most with free entrance. The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of the fact that museums are an important mean of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples. This year’s theme refers to the global network of connections that are each year becoming more complex, diverse and integrated.

In the hyperconnected world of today, museums join the trend. 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. Thanks to technology, museums can now reach way beyond their core audience and find new publics. However, not all these connections are made through technology. Museums are increasingly engaging new publics, such as minorities, indigenous groups and local institutions.

Organised on and around the 18^th of May each year, International Museum Day celebrations can last a day, a weekend or a whole week. Participation in International Museum Day is growing internationally. In 2017, more than 36,000 museums participated in the celebrations, in around 157 countries. In Cyprus, this year’s programme includes events organized in 27 museums and other cultural institutions, from 5^th to 27^th of May 2018. A digital program of all the events has been specially designed for the public and can be found on the website of the Department of Antiquities (www.mcw.goc.cy/da), as well as on the websites and social media pages of other museums.

For the full programme of events, please click here.

(MG/II)