International Museum Day-New museum policy in the making |19 May 2005

The policy will also help pave the way for better cooperation between private and public museums.

This was announced by Raymond Onezime, director general of the Cultural Institutions and Policy Development Division, while launching the multi-cultural exhibition at the National Library on Wednesday.

The exhibition, depicting multi-cultural elements of countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Madagascar, forms part of the activities organised by the culture division in collaboration with the International Friendship League to commemorate the 20th International Museum Day celebrated on May 18.

Stating that museums’ role is not only about preserving items of cultural and natural heritage, Ms Onezime said that the ministry is even considering to set up a National Maritime Museum and is planning to re-build the National Museum of History to ensure the safeguarding of all aspects of Seychelles’ cultural heritage.

The exhibition, Ms Onezime said, “gives an aperçu of the diversity of our culture, developing the aptitude of tolerance, respect and mutual understanding as fellow human beings.”

The exhibition will remain open until Friday.

This year’s international museum day is being celebrated under the theme “Museum bridging cultures” and Ms Onezime said that the theme fits well within the context of the country’s cultural policy launched recently.

During the ceremony, museums director Alain Lucas received the John Proctor Award, while artistes Juliette Zelime and Antoine Purin presented Sports and Culture principal secretary Patrick Nanty with a painting of the famous pirate Olivier Levasseur (La Buse).

Then members of the diplomatic corps, other invited guests and staff of the ministry had the opportunity to visit the exhibition.