Delhi marks International Museum Day May 18

Delhi’s museums are using International Museum Day on May 18 to keep their doors active on a Monday that is usually quiet. Programming in the capital includes themed gallery walks at the National Museum, a panel discussion and evening projection show at the National Gallery of Modern Art, and a puppet performance for visitors looking for family programming. Hindustan Times reported the day’s schedule in New Delhi, while the International Council of Museums said this year’s global theme is “Museums Uniting a Divided World.” ### Which Delhi venues are running programs on May 18? The National Museum in New Delhi is running walkthroughs and creative sessions from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to Hindustan Times. The paper said the museum’s schedule includes sessions on the museum as a cultural sanctuary, the Harappan civilisation’s contribution to the world, and India’s ceramic traditions. (hindustantimes.com) The National Gallery of Modern Art, near India Gate, is also hosting International Museum Day events, the report said. Its program includes a discussion on the 2026 theme and a 3D light-and-sound presentation on the Jaipur House facade later in the day. (hindustantimes.com) ### What are visitors being offered at the National Museum? Itihasology’s “Night at the Museum” is among the National Museum walks already drawing advance interest, Hindustan Times reported. Eric Chopra, identified by the paper as co-conductor of the walk, said organizers could not accommodate more than 100 people and had a waiting list of more than 1,000 from a previous event. (hindustantimes.com) Chopra said the route for Monday’s walk would move through material on the Harappan civilisation, continue to the Bronze Gallery, include sculptures of Shiva and end at the Miniature Art Gallery. He said visitors would also be told about the museum’s history and receive takeaway postcards. (hindustantimes.com) ### What is planned at the modern art gallery near India Gate? The National Gallery of Modern Art has scheduled a panel discussion with curators and artists tied to this year’s International Museum Day theme, Hindustan Times reported. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, the gallery’s director general, told the paper that the evening program would begin at 7 p.m. and would be free to attend. (hindustantimes.com) Goutam said the 3D projection mapping show would present the “importance and lives” of nine masters whose works are displayed at the gallery, including Rabindranath Tagore and Amrita Sher-Gil. He told the paper the aim was to make the museum “an exciting experiential space” for visitors. (hindustantimes.com) ### Where does puppetry fit into the day’s schedule? Artist Manish Ram Sachdeva is performing a traditional puppet show, “Jack and the Beanstalk,” at 11:30 a.m., according to Hindustan Times. The paper listed the show as part of the capital’s International Museum Day programming for visitors who want a performance-based event alongside gallery visits. (hindustantimes.com) ### What is the wider theme behind this year’s observance? The International Council of Museums said museums worldwide are marking May 18 under the 2026 theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World.” ICOM said the theme is intended to highlight museums as places that can bridge cultural, social and geopolitical divides and foster dialogue, understanding, inclusion and peace. (hindustantimes.com) ICOM said International Museum Day has been organized each year since 1977 and that more than 37,000 museums in about 158 countries and territories took part last year. The council said the 2026 theme will also guide celebrations tied to its 80th anniversary during the year. ### What should visitors know before heading out? May 18 falls on a Monday in 2026, and Hindustan Times framed that as unusual for Delhi museumgoers because many venues are typically closed that day. (icom.museum) The paper said some walks are already fully booked, while the National Gallery of Modern Art’s 7 p.m. projection mapping show is free to the public. The day’s Delhi schedule centers on named venues including the National Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art, with events running from late morning into the evening on May 18. Hindustan Times said the National Museum’s sessions run until 8 p.m., and NGMA’s facade show begins at 7 p.m. (hindustantimes.com)