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More than 30 museums and heritage institutions from Beijing, Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macau and will jointly present a series of activities for "International Museum Day 2008, Hong Kong" on May 17 and 18.
"International Museum Day 2008, Hong Kong" is organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in support of International Museum Day, first designated on May 18, 1978, by the International Council of Museums. Through various activities, International Museum Day will give people the chance to better understand the missions and functions of museums.
Museum Panorama, a highlight of the programme, will be held at the Piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on May 17 and 18. Open from 10am to 6pm on both days, the panorama will provide visitors with entertaining booth games and educational activities. A total of 28 booths will be set up by participating cultural institutions featuring display boards with museum information and interactive games. Other attractions include mini pony, video shows, demonstrations, workshops and model making. Souvenirs will be available at various booths.
More than 80 illustrated catalogues and books published by LCSD museums, along with more than 40 souvenirs, will be on sale at up to 30% discount at the panorama. The selected publications cover diverse topics in art, history, heritage, film, science and technology, and astronomy. They include many popular publications, such as the "East Meets West: Cultural Relics From the Pearl River Delta Region" and "Impressions of the East: The Art of George Chinnery" by the Hong Kong Museum of History, "Hong Kong's Popular Entertainment" and "Beyond The Surface ¡ª Hong Kong International Poster Triennial 2007" by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, "Chinese Ancient Star Map" by the Hong Kong Space Museum, "Soaring Dinosaurs ¡ª Chinese Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life" by the Hong Kong Science Museum, "@Location" by the Hong Kong Film Archive, "The Pride of China: Masterpieces of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy of the Jin, Tang, Song and Yuen Dynasties from the Palace Museum (Booklet)" by the Hong Kong Museum of Art, and "2007 Tea Ware by Hong Kong Potters" by the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware. Book lovers should not miss this opportunity while stocks last.
To coincide with International Museum Day, 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 in May.
To encourage people to visit the exhibitions by various museums more frequently, and to enjoy their facilities, a souvenir will be given to those who purchase an LCSD museum yearly pass for individual, family or concessionary in May. Pass holders are entitled to unlimited admission to the Hong Kong Science Museum (excluding some special exhibitions), the Hong Kong Space Museum (excluding the Stanley Ho Space Theatre's programmes), the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence and the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum during the validity period. They can also enjoy 10% discount on participation in museums' extension activities.
To coincide with the Beijing Olympic Games in August and the Equestrian Event in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum will organise "The Ancient Olympic Games" exhibition and the Hong Kong Museum of History will organise an exhibition on "Horses in Chinese Art and Culture"in the summer. Other highlights for this year are "Sports Arena" and "The Deep" exhibitions by the Science Museum, and "Revolutionary Paris" by the Hong Kong Museum of History. The Hong Kong Museum of Art will showcase ancient relics of the Roman Empire from the ruins of the fire at Stabiae, Italy.
Institutions participating in International Museum Day 2008, Hong Kong, include: the Hong Kong Museum of History and its branches, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and its branches, the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, the Hong Kong Film Archive, the Central Conservation Section under LCSD, the Antiquities and Monuments Office and its Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre and the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre, the Art Promotion Office, the Museum of Ethnology, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, the Tung Wah Museum, the Po Leung Kuk Museum, The Hong Kong Racing Museum, the University Museum and Art Gallery of The University of Hong Kong, the Art Gallery of the Institute of Chinese Studies of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dr. & Mrs. Hung Hin Shiu Museum of Chinese Medicine of Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery, the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum, the Police Museum, the Lions Nature Education Centre, Hong Kong Wetland Park, Museums in Macao, the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture, the Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, and the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage.
Programme details of International Museum Day 2008, Hong Kong, are now available on LCSD's website at www.lcsd.gov.hk. For enquiries, please call 2724 9042.
Ends/Monday, April 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:16
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