Thinking of the past quite often sparks feelings of nostalgia. However, the past also holds memories and incidents that individuals or population groups rather want to forget.
Associated with this past are, amongst others, museums, statues and memorials.
On Wednesday (18/05), International Museum Day was celebrated with the theme, “The Power of Museums”.
According to the International Council of Museums, these institutions are an important means of cultural exchange, the enrichment of cultures and of developing mutual understanding, co-operation and peace.
“Museums can act as an anchor in the storm. From addressing key social issues to transforming how we see the future, the humble museum has the power to reflect and shape society,” wrote Rebecca Carlsson on museumnext.com, giving reasons why the world needs museums more than ever.
She said lessons learned from past events, wonders and tragedies were priceless.
Also, museums educate future generations and play a crucial role in preserving local culture through careful documentation and artifact preservation.
Museums need not be dull, cold places where one has to look at exhibitions through dusty glass. Technology is transforming museums from spaces of looking and learning to spaces of interaction, participation and engagement.
It is a pity that most museums in the country are neglected and overlooked by those in power.
Journalist Prentiss Smith wrote in The Times, “Our history is our history, whether we like it or not. We cannot change that history by doing away with statues and memorials that might offend us, but we can learn from that history.”
Museums are not suppose to be dilapidated buildings with overgrown gardens and dusty interiors, guided by listless personnel.
Running it that way, as is mostly done in South Africa, a museum is just powerless.
