International Museum Day to be launched on May 13 and 14
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    A series of activities organised under the ¡°International Museum Day 2006, Hong Kong¡± on May 13 and 14 will give people the chance to better understand the missions and functions of local museums.

     ¡°International Museum Day 2006, Hong Kong¡± is organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in support of the International Museum Day (IMD) first designated on May 18, 1978, by the International Council of Museums.

     Under the theme of ¡°Museums and Young People¡±, a number of youth volunteer groups, such as Magic Club and Dancing Club of the Hong Kong University Student Union, True Light College, Young Ambassador Scheme, Young Helpers of the Antiquities and Monuments Office, were invited to take part in the event in addition to the 30 museums and cultural institutions from Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macau.
 
     To encourage more people to enjoy the facilities of various museums, a gift will be given to those who purchase an LCSD Museum Pass during the two-day Museum Panorama. The scheme has three types: individual, family and concessionary, which are available for one year and half year. Pass holders are entitled to unlimited admission to the Hong Kong Science Museum (excluding some special exhibitions), Hong Kong Space Museum (excluding the Space Theatre¡¯s programmes), Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence and Hong Kong Heritage Museum during the validity period. They can also enjoy 10% discount on participation in museum extension activities.

     Museum Panorama, a highlight programme of the IMD, will be held at the Piazza of Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Hong Kong Museum of Art on May 13 and 14. Open from 10am to 6pm both days, the colorful Panorama will provide visitors with entertaining booth games and a series of educational activities. The booths are set up to feature the 25 participating cultural institutions. Other entertaining activities include computer and interactive games, photo-taking corner, mini pony, astronomical observation, video shows, demonstrations on tea-drinking, exhibitions on artworks and Chinese medicine, knotting and splicing, art faces, magic show ¡°The Unbelievable Incident on IMD¡± and dancing performance. Souvenirs will be available at various booths.

     Visitors can also join the educational activities  at the Museum of Art, Space Museum and Museum of History. These activities are lectures ¡°Looking Closer into the Guangdong Chinese Painting Research Society¡± and ¡°Dr Sun Yat-sen and Japan¡±, a workshop ¡°Having Fun ¡ª Backing of Chinese Painting¡±, an behind-the-scenes tour ¡°Conservation Laboratory Visit¡±, an astronomy film show ¡°Life on Other Worlds and the Origin of the Solar System¡±, video shows ¡°Kids¡¯ Art Appreciation¡± and ¡°World in a Box¡±.

     In addition, educational and entertaining programmes including lectures on the work and functions of museums, workshops, guided tours, demonstrations, children¡¯s programmes, video programmes and behind-the-scenes tours will be organised at different museums during the ¡°Museum Two-week¡± from May 15 to 28.

     Participating institutions include: Hong Kong Museum of History and its branches, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Heritage Museum and its branches, Hong Kong Science Museum, Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, Hong Kong Film Archive, Central Conservation Section under LCSD, Antiquities and Monuments Office and its Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, Art Promotion Office, Museum of Ethnology, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Tung Wah Museum, Po Leung Kuk Museum, The Hong Kong Racing Museum, University Museum and Art Gallery of The University of Hong Kong, Art Museum of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery, Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum, Police Museum, Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture, Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government.

     Programme booklets with details of the ¡°International Museum Day 2006, Hong Kong¡± will be available at all local participating institutions starting May 8. Information is also available on the website at http://hk.art.museum/. For enquiries, please call 2721 0116.

Ends/Thursday, April 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:40

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