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May 18 • Cultural Insight

International Museum Day

Created by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and celebrated on the 18th of May since 1977, International Museum Day raises awareness about the role museums play in the development of society. Over 37,000 museums in more than 150 countries participate each year.

International Museum Day Lesson Visual

Speaking Discussion

  • Is it better for an artifact to be in a safe museum in London or a dangerous museum in its home country?
  • Should museums charge rich tourists more than poor students?
  • If a piece of art was stolen 200 years ago, is it still a crime today?
  • Why do we find dead objects so fascinating?
  • If you were a museum exhibit 500 years from now, what 3 objects would be in your glass case?

Activity 1: The Ethical Negotiator

The Task: You represent the egyptian government. You are demanding the nefertiti bust back from Germany. The German director says it is too fragile to move. You have 3 minutes to negotiate a deal. Use 3D printing or digital ownership as a compromise.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Debate

Justify in 30 seconds: 1. 'History belongs to the people who can protect it, not the people who found it.' 2. 'Museums are just 'Pretty Prisons' for stolen ghosts.' 3. 'We should burn all old artifacts and focus on creating new ones.'