A number of activities have been lined up for International Museum Day on Sunday with a number of museums in South Africa offering free entry on the day.

Entries will be free at all Iziko Museums in Cape Town including:

• the South African Museum
• South African National Gallery
  
• Michaelis Collection
• Rust en Vreugd
• Koopmans-De Wet House
• Slave lodge
• Maritime Centre
• Groot Constantia

International Museum Day has been celebrated all over the world since 1977, the event provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them to the challenges that museums face.

The annual event, which is celebrated on 18 May, is themed: “Museums as Agents of Social Change and Development”.

Among the events to take place in South Africa to commemorate the day include a book sale in the amphitheatre in front of the Iziko Museums in Cape Town.

During a book sale, which started on Friday, a wide range of material, including books, journals and exhibition catalogues covering a host of topics will be available at reasonable prices.

The wide variety of literature will ensure that there is something for everyone, especially those with an interest in art history.

At Groot Constantia Estate there will be a demonstration of bobbin lace making including a display of an assortment of decorative, yet practical hand-crafted items such as wedding veils, tea-cloths, brooches, fridge magnets and bookmarks.

Bobbin lace making dates back to the 15th century. Visitors at the museum will also get an opportunity to try their hand at the bobbin lace making.

On the International Council of Museums (ICOM) website, organisations’ President Alissandra Cummins said that while traditionally museums are known for their collections, more and more museums are taking an active key role in exploring social issues with communities to contribute to their development.

“The educational and ethical function of the museum is to engage culturally diverse contemporary communities through exhibitions and workshops and their design,” said Ms Cummins.

She said that International Museum Day shows that it is possible to gather together in a new way to interpret the past in light of the present to shape a better future.

In 2007, approximately 20 000 museums in more than 70 countries participated in the 30th International Museum Day with activities, partnerships and events connected to Museums and Universal Heritage.

Stay informed on the these and excellent other museums of Cape Town, such as the Gold of Africa museum and other museums in the Western Cape by subscribing to or popular ‘Editor’s Picks newsletter.