The City of Cape Town’s Arts and Culture Branch will host two events to celebrate International Museum Day on 18 May 2019 at their vibrant cultural spaces in Langa and Bellville.

International Museum Day is a global celebration that takes place annually on 18 May and participation is growing among museums all over the world. In 2018 more than 40 000 museums participated in the event in about 158 countries.

'The main aim of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of museums and their importance in cultural exchange, cultural enrichment and the development of mutual understanding and cooperation. This commemorative day serves as a platform for raising public awareness on the role museums play in the improvement of society on an international level,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

The event always highlights a theme and this year it is Museums as cultural hubs: The future of tradition.

'The role of museums is changing and they have to become more interactive, mobile, audience-focused, community-oriented and flexible. Museums today have become cultural hubs where history and creativity meet knowledge. At the same time, museums have to preserve their main mission which is to collect, conserve and exhibit history,' said Councillor Badroodien.

The City's Arts and Culture Branch will celebrate with two special events.

The first is on Friday 17 May at the Guga S’thebe Cultural Centre in Langa. It entails the handover of a new exhibition to the Old Langa Post Office by the South African Post Office (SAPO).

This new exhibition will reflect the history of the Langa Post Office and the wider history of the SAPO which has a footprint of 1 500 branches all over the country.

The exhibition will be a permanent feature in the Langa Post Office and comprise history boards which will be mounted on the walls.

The second event takes place on Thursday 30 May at the Art Gallery in the Bellville Library and will include music and guest speakers.