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Ever since 1977, the The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has celebrated International Museums Day annually in or around 18 May. All around the world, museums participate in this event in order to raise awareness of just how important museums are to culture and the development of a society. Every year, more and more museums around the world participate in International Museums Day, hosting special events in honor of this important day, and we’re excited to see several South African museums joining in.

As per tradition, each year has a specific theme. For 2022, the theme is ‘The Power of Museums’.

Here is a brief rundown of the participating museums and other International Museums Day events in the Western Cape:

1. Castle of Good Hope

In honor of International Museums Day, the Castle of Good Hope will host a Dutch and South African Business Networking session for the Camissa Museum.

While you’re there, you can also visit the William Fehr Collection that is co-exhibited at the Castle of Good Hope and Rust en Vreugd. The Castle houses the components of oil paintings, furniture and decorative arts from the collection. Or go on a guided tour led by an experienced guide, or attend the daily Key Ceremony or Canon Firing.

Details:

Picture: Caste of Good Hope

2. The Huguenot Memorial Museum and the La Motte Museum

These two Franschhoek-based museums will collaborate to present an art, nature and cultural history programme for local learners from the Franschhoek Valley Community Sport and Learning Centre and Bridge House School. Learners will join a programme of art, nature and cultural historical activities based on the impact and relevance of museums for discussion around POWER (in honor of this year’s theme):
P for People and Preservation, a Peaceful future and promoting Professions in the heritage sector
O for Online / virtual responsibilities of museums, Objectivity and Ownership of our heritage
W for Wellness, “We” (the people, the community, the culture) and our connection to the rest of the World
E for Education and Enlightenment, Equality and Empathy
R for our Reason for existing, Reactions, museums as Resources and places of Research, and our Reach for better futures.

The programme takes place at the La Motte Museum, Huguenot Memorial Museum Annex, Saasveld Building and Nature Garden. The Huguenot Memorial Museum will also host the English Speech Contest.

Event Summary

Date: Wednesday 18 May 2022

  • 3pm – 4.30pm: Franschhoek Community Sport Centre Learning Centre: Visit to the La Motte Museum and art activities
  • 4pm – 6pm: English Speech Contest hosted by the Huguenot Memorial Museum

Date: Thursday 19 May 2022

  • 3pm – 4.30pm: Franschhoek Community Sport Centre Learning Centre: Visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum: Saasveld building for cultural history activities

Date: Friday 20 May 2022

  • 1.30pm – 3pm: Bridge House School Grade 10 art learners: Visit to the La Motte Museum for art activities

Date: Wednesday 25 May 2022

  • 3pm – 4.30pm: Franschhoek Community Sport Centre Learning Centre: Visit to the Huguenot Memorial Nature Garden – Nature and Culture history

Details:

Picture: The Huguenot Memorial Museum

3. Paarl Museum

The Paarl Museum will present various programmes with schools in partnership with the Afrikaans Language Museum and Monument. International Museums Day festivities take place at Pastorielaan on 21 May and include free museum tours, children’s activities, a market, and a Rieldans demonstration, an ancient celebratory dance traditionally performed by the San, Nama and Khoi.

Paarl Museum also has many historical and cultural exhibits depicting the history of the Paarl Valley for visitors to enjoy alongside the International Museums Day festivities. Displays span early local history through to contemporary Paarl. A large part of the museum collection is made up of Cape antiques and artefacts that portray the rich cultural diversity and development of Paarl.

Details:

  • Picture: Cape Winelands Museum Route

4. Togryers Museum (AKA Ceres Transport Riders Museum)

The Ceres Togryers Museum was founded in the early seventies by a group of dedicated residents to preserve the history of the town, its people and its surrounding district.

On 18 May they launch a new virtual exhibition: A historic Overview of Ceres: Then and Now. An outreach programme will also be hosted at the local primary schools where members of the community share their stories with Grade 4 learners on the forced removals they experienced in 1962.

Details:

Picture: Ceres Museum

5. CP Nel Museum

This museum owes its origin to the private collection of colonel Charles Paul Leonard Nel, successful businessman and collector of antiquities. In 1972 the C.P. Nel collection was brought to its present home, which was actually the former Oudtshoorn Boy’s High School.

As part of International Museums Day, the CP Nel Museum will stage the popular Museum’s English Speech Contest first round and Gala Speech Contest for the Greater Oudtshoorn high school learners on 26 May, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Details:

Picture: CP Nel Museum

Museums in other South African provinces are also participating; a comprehensive list of localities and events can be found in the The South African Museums Association’s press release.

Also read:

Windows into the past: museums perfect for an adventure day in CT

Picture: Castle of Good Hope

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