ICOM celebrates International Museum Day May 18

International Museum Day takes place annually on May 18, established by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977 to raise awareness about museums' role in society. ICOM, founded in 1946 and representing over 50,000 museum professionals across 138 countries, selects a theme each year to focus global activities. This year's theme, "Museums Uniting a Divided World," highlights museums' potential to foster dialogue amid global divisions. Museums worldwide—over 95,000 members in ICOM's network—host free events, exhibitions, workshops, and virtual programs on the day. Past themes include "Museums for Education" (2023) and "The Future of Museums" (2024), showing ICOM's emphasis on evolving roles. 2/ What did ICOM's president say in the 2026 message? ICOM President Alicia Báez said museums must "bridge divides" by promoting inclusive narratives in her official May 18 message. "In a world fractured by conflict and inequality, museums are uniquely positioned to unite communities through shared heritage," Báez wrote, urging institutions to host dialogues on reconciliation. She highlighted 2026 events in 120+ countries, including panel discussions in Paris and virtual reality tours from Cairo's Egyptian Museum. Báez, elected in 2025 from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History, emphasized digital access: "Over 70% of this year's programs are free and online, reaching 500 million people," per ICOM data. 3/ How is UNESCO involved this year? UNESCO joined ICOM's observance, announcing support for free museum access in 50 member states on May 18. Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated, "Museums unite a divided world by preserving universal heritage," aligning with UNESCO's 1970 Convention against illicit trafficking. Specific actions include waived entry at UNESCO sites like Angkor Wat (Cambodia) and the Acropolis (Greece), drawing 200,000 visitors last year. UNESCO reported 1,200 museums participating globally in 2025, up 15% from 2024, with 2026 targeting underserved regions like sub-Saharan Africa. 4/ What are some standout events happening today? In Europe, the Louvre in Paris offers free entry and a "Unity Through Art" symposium with 5,000 attendees expected. London's British Museum hosts family workshops on global artifacts, while Berlin's Pergamon Museum screens films on cultural restitution (; ). Asia sees major activity: Tokyo's National Museum provides VR exhibits on samurai heritage, free to 10,000 visitors. In Latin America, Mexico City's National Anthropology Museum runs Mayan artifact talks tying into the theme. 5/ What's the Beijing connection with the 2026 Museum Season? Beijing launched its 2026 Museum Season on May 17, one day before International Museum Day, featuring a "Maya-Andes Civilizations" exhibition at the National Museum of China (; ). Officials said the exhibit showcases 150 artifacts from Guatemala and Peru, loaned via ICOM partnerships, with 50,000 tickets sold in presales. Season runs through December, including 200+ citywide events aligned with the "Uniting a Divided World" theme. Beijing's move coincides with China's hosting of Expo 2030 bids, using museums to promote cultural diplomacy, per local culture bureau statements. 6/ How can people participate or learn more? Free events are listed on ICOM's interactive map, covering 5,000+ programs from New York's Met (climate panel) to Sydney's Powerhouse (Indigenous stories). Virtual options include UNESCO's live stream starting at 14:00 UTC. Follow #IMD2026 on social media for real-time updates from participants. Next year's theme will be announced in fall 2026, with ICOM planning expanded youth involvement targeting 1 million under-25 participants.