International Museum Day 2024: History, Significance, Quotes, and Movies That Feature Museums

Museums are considered a heritage of humanity and hold plenty of information about history, science, and culture. They serve as an educational hub, fostering curiosity, critical thinking and creativity. From art and history to science and technology, museums are vital spaces where education and research meet to shape our understanding of the world.

International Museum Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the fact that museums are a crucial means of cultural exchange, development of mutual understanding, and peace and cooperation among individuals.

On May 18, International Museum Day is observed by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The inception of this day dates back to 1977. As the name suggests, the day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of museums in society’s development.

International Museum Day 2024: Theme

This year’s theme, “Museums for Education and Research,” highlights the important role of cultural institutions in providing a holistic educational experience. This day pushes for a more sustainable, conscious, and inclusive world.

International Museum Day: History

Established during the ICOM General Assembly in 1977 in Moscow, Russia, International Museum Day aimed to create an annual event that would unite museums and raise global awareness about their activities. It bore the message that museums are essential for cultural exchange, mutual understanding, peace, and cooperation among individuals.

Later, ICOM introduced the first theme for the event in 1992, focusing on ‘Museums and Environment.’ Five years later, the first official poster was launched and it addressed the issue of combating the illicit trafficking of cultural goods.

This event steadily garnered popularity, with an increasing number of museums participating and emphasising diversity within unity.

As per the ICOM website, more than 37,000 museums in about 158 countries and territories participated in the International Museum Day event last year.

International Museum Day 2024: Significance

International Museum Day has significance for various reasons. Firstly, it serves as a global platform for museums to showcase their collections and raise awareness about their vital roles in education, cultural preservation, and intercultural dialogue.

This day also calls for the recognition of the cultural value that museums hold and the need for their continued existence for social change and innovation. This day encourages people worldwide to visit museums, participate in interactive exhibitions, and engage in various activities that promote cultural enrichment.

International Museum Day 2024: Quotes

1. “History is representational, while time is abstract; both of these artifices may be found in museums, where they span everybody’s own vacancy”: Robert Smithson
2. “Museums should be places where you raise questions, not just show stuff”: William Thorsell
3. “Real museums are places where Time is transformed into Space.”: Orhan Pamuk
4. “A visit to a museum is a search for beauty, truth, and meaning in our lives. Go to museums as often as you can.”: Maira Kalman
5. “Museums are fine institutions, dedicated to the high values of preservation, education and truth; collectively, their growth in numbers points to the imaginative death of this country”: Robert Hewison

International Museum Day 2024: Movies That Feature Museums

Museums have been featured in many films, serving as backdrops in several movies. Here is a list of movies that feature museums.

1. Museo (2018)Based on a 1985 heist, two thieves steal 124 artefacts from Mexico City’s National Museum of Anthropology. It has been, to date, the largest heist in Mexico’s history.
2. Manhattan (1979)Filmed at various iconic locations across Manhattan, this movie captures the essence of the protagonist’s life. The movie prominently features museums such as the Guggenheim, Museum of Natural History, MoMA, and the Hayden Planetarium.
3. Night at the Museum (2006)All three original Night at the Museum films are set in different museums. The central theme remains the same: Larry Daley, a night watchman, discovers that the exhibits come to life after dark.
4. The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)Thomas Crown, a wealthy multi-millionaire, seeks excitement by stealing valuable artwork from museums. In this film, the protagonist steals a Monet painting from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
5. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)A student decides to skip school once again to enjoy a day in Chicago with his girlfriend, Sloane, and best friend, Cameron.The most iconic scene takes place at the Art Institute of Chicago where the trio enters the museum via its iconic exterior steps and admires paintings.
6. Dhoom 2 (2006)A thrilling heist movie where the thief, Aryan, disguises himself and steals valuable artifacts from a museum in Mumbai. The robbery scene and the chase after that are the high points of the Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan starrer.
7. Lingaa (2014)The protagonist, Lingaa, played Rajinikanth, infiltrates a heavily guarded museum to steal a valuable necklace. The movie is appreciated for the meticulous planning sequence and execution portrayal.
8. Sherni (2021)In this drama, the museum scenes highlight the protagonist’s research on wildlife conservation. The former forest officer (Vidya Balan) now focuses on historical exhibits and artifacts related to the natural world.