Celebrate International Museum Day in Cape Town

District Six Museum. Photo courtesy thomas_sly

International Museum Day takes place on Friday May 18, 2012 and the Mother City has a host of FREE fun and interactive activities lined up to mark the occasion.

The theme of this year's Museum Day is, "Museums in a changing world. New challenges, new inspirations." The City of Cape Town will also be presenting a Youth Museum Training Programme in conjunction with Iziko Museums.

Explore, discover and celebrate our rich culture and heritage and get involved in the conversation through the following activities:

Bellville Library

The City of Cape Town's Arts and Culture Department has compiled a four-day programme at the Bellville Library from May 15 to 18. The talks start at 10h00 and end at 13h30. Entrance is free but booking is advised. For more information, contact Ria Briers on +27 (0)21 938 8020. The programme for the rest of the week is as follows:

Wednesday: Discussion on genealogy.

Thursday: Discussion on the South African War (1899-1902), the Second German Red Cross Ambulance at Springfontein in 1900, and the role horses played during this war.

Friday: Discussion by Dr Helena Liebenberg on British Concentration Camps, and “The Rebel Monument at Laborie in Paarl as a unique open-air museum,” by Marthinus van Bart.

Iziko Museums will be free (except the Castle) to celebrate International Museum Day. Photo courtesy Danie van der Merwe

Iziko Museums

Entrance to all Iziko Museums (except the Castle of Good Hope) will be free, as well as three shows at the Planetarium on Friday May 18, 2012. For more information, contact Pamela Court on +27 (0)21 481 3804/13.

South African National Gallery

Book sale: A wide range of books, journals, posters and exhibition catalogues will be on sale at the annual book sale hosted at the Iziko South African National Gallery from 10h00 until 15h00.

South African Museum

Film screenings: Sea Skeletons, I want to be a teapot, The magpies of Barrydale, Onse Mense Qula Kwedini and Evapourating Believes will be screened at the Iziko South African Museum during the day.

Trendsetters/treasured objects: Trendsetters Kent Lingeveldt, Zavick Zaroff Botha aka Supadog, John Bauer aka Doily Lama, and Atang Tshikare will be showcasing their craft while demonstrating their treasured objects from 13h00 until 17h00.

Public lecture: President of the International Council of Museums South Africa and CEO of Iziko Museums Rooksana Omar will host a public lecture on the role and relevance of museums in the digital age from 17h00 at the Iziko South African Museum.