International Museum Expo 2023

Context- Recently, the Prime Minister (PM) of India introduced the International Museum Expo 2023 in New Delhi to commemorate the 47th International Museum Day (IMD).

Key Highlights 

• ICOM is an enrollment affiliation and a non-legislative association that lays out proficient and moral norms for gallery exercises. It is the main worldwide association in the gallery field.
• It was established in 1946 and has its main office in Paris, France.
• The ICOM Red Lists of Cultural Objects at Risk are useful tools to stop cultural object trafficking.

What are the Significant Features of the Exhibition?

• • The Prime Minister revealed the Mascot of the International Museum Expo, the Graphic Novel – A Day at the Museum, the Directory of Indian Museums, the Pocket Map of Kartavya Path, and Museum Cards.
  • A contemporary version of the Dancing Girl made of wood in the Chennapatnam art style is the International Museum Expo’s mascot.
  • Additionally, the Prime Minister emphasized the significance of museums in the preservation of history, the promotion of sustainability, and the development of a sense of well-being.

• Preserving Heritage and Reviving Cultural Infrastructure:

• • • India’s rich heritage is being preserved and long-lost cultural aspects are being brought back to life.
    • Another social framework is being created to exhibit India’s battle for autonomy and its broad thousand-year-old legacy.
    • Ten unique galleries are being laid out to respect and deify the commitments of ancestral networks in India’s opportunity battle.

• Promoting Health and Sustainability:

• • • Recognizing the significant role museums play in raising awareness and promoting sustainable practices, the theme “Sustainability and Well-being” aligns with current global priorities.

• Promoting Sustainability and Well-being:

• • The difficulties of pirating and allotment of curios, especially for nations with old societies like India, have been recognized.
  • Over 240 ancient objects have been retrieved in the past nine years as a result of efforts to recover and repatriate stolen artifacts.
• Examples: Annapurna, a statue taken from Banaras in the 18th century and recently returned from Canada; Mahishasur Mardini, a statue taken from Gujarat in the 12th century and returned in 2018 by the New York Met Museum; and Nataraja’s idols made during the Chola Empire.
  • It is suggested that museums and art enthusiasts worldwide work together more to prevent unethical art acquisition.

About International Museum Day

• • Every year, on May 18, IMD is observed to raise public awareness of museums.
  • 2023 Theme: ‘Museums, Sustainability and Well Being’
  • History: The Day was instituted in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).
  • Objective: To bring issues to light about the way that exhibition halls are a significant method for social trade, improvement of societies and advancement of common grasping, participation and harmony among people groups.
  • International Museum Day and SDG: Since 2020, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals have been supported by International Museum Day. In 2023, our focus will be on:
    • Goals 3 (global health and well-being), 13 (action against climate change), and 15 (life on land)

• What is International Council of Museum?

• • ICOM is a non-governmental organization with a membership that sets professional and ethical guidelines for museum activities. It is the only international organization devoted to museums.
  • It was made in 1946 and is settled in Paris, France.
  • The ICOM Red Lists of Cultural Objects at Risk are useful tools to stop cultural object trafficking.

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