International Museum Day 2006, Hong Kong

13-14 May 2006 (Panorama)
15-28 May 2006 (Museum Two-week)
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, major museums and their branches of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and other public museums

Acquisition, research, exhibition and education are the main functions of museums. Nowadays, museums provide diversified services to meet the interests and needs of the public, which aim at establishing a rapport with the audience. Museums are places of learning and enjoyment, in particular for young people.

Since 1978, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has designated 18 May as International Museum Day (IMD) to stimulate the public's awareness of the role that museums play in society. The theme for 2006 is "Museums and young people". We sincerely hope that via these different programmes and services, the public will have a deeper understanding of the museums in our society. Indeed, it is through these events that we encourage young people to participate and experience different aspects of our culture.

This is the fifth year that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will organize International Museum Day. More than 30 museums from Guangdong Province, Macau and Hong Kong will join hands to hold a two-day Museum Panorama at the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza on 13 and 14 May. In addition, educational and entertaining programmes including workshops, "behind-the-scene" tours, guided tours, lectures and demonstrations will be held at different museums during the Museum Two-week (15 to 28 May). We anticipate a unique experiences for children and adults alike.

For details, please refer to the forthcoming International Museum Day 2006, Hong Kong Programme Booklet or visit the website at http://hk.art.museum in due course.