Today Iziko Museums of South Africa joins the global museum community to celebrate International Museum Day.
The theme for this year is “Museums and contested histories, saying the unspeakable in museums”.
Entrance is free at most Iziko museums (excluding Groot Constantia Estate).
Iziko Museums of South Africa promises to be a hive of activity and will provide the public with insight into the social history, natural history and art collections.
This year’s programme was launched on May 12 and 13, when participants and supporters of the Slave Route Challenge were invited to visit the Iziko Mobile Museum at the Castle of Good Hope.
Slavery in the Cape dates back to 1653, when the first slave arrived in the Cape. About 60 000 slaves were imported into the Cape until slavery was abolished in the mid-1800s. Heritage sites such as the Iziko Slave Lodge preserve their stories.
Iziko Museums gives the public an opportunity to see collections of dinosaur fossils, rock art and live spiders with guided and behind-the-scenes tours. Visitors can also participate in drumming, watch the cultural performance Walking Tall, and enjoy story reading in the Discovery Room.
Visit www.iziko.org.za for details. - Staff Writer