Mutare Museum hosts national International Museums Day commemorations

 

Lloyd Makonya
Correspondent

TODAY (Friday), the City of Mutare hosts the national commemorations of International Museums Day (IMD) at Mutare Museum.

The event is expected to be a vibrant celebration of the vital role of museums in the community.

The commemorations are being held under the global theme: “The Future of Museums in rapidly Changing Communities”.

This year’s highlight is the National Heritage Education Quiz finals, a flagship event that pits 10 provincial champions from across Zimbabwe against each other in a spirited intellectual contest.

Representing the country’s 10 provinces are Hartzell Central Primary School (Manicaland), Mhali Primary School (Bulawayo Metropolitan), Mt Sunset Primary School (Harare Metropolitan and Mashonaland East), Trojan Mine Primary School (Mashonaland Central), Dudley Hall Primary School (Mashonaland West), Helen McGhie Primary School (Masvingo), St Christopher Primary School (Matabeleland South), David Livingstone Primary School (Matabeleland North), and Cecil John Rhodes Primary School (Midlands Province).

Adding colour and spectacle to the occasion will be a grand procession through the streets of Mutare, led by the ever-energetic Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Brass Band.

They will be joined by an exciting group of motorbike enthusiasts, whose thunderous convoy celebrates the Mutare Museum’s unique identity as the nation’s Museum of Transport and Antiquities.

 

The event promises a fusion of education and entertainment, at its core, the commemoration aims to raise awareness about the importance of museums as guardians of our shared heritage and as platforms that promote lifelong learning.

Mutare Museum Heritage Education Officer, Mr Martin Nyamatedya expressed excitement about the national event being hosted in the Eastern Highlands.

“We are honoured to be the host museum for this year’s International Museums Day commemorations. It is an opportunity to demonstrate the critical role museums play in fostering knowledge and preserving our diverse heritage. The National Heritage Education Quiz is particularly important as it encourages young learners to appreciate their history and culture, while developing research and presentation skills,” he said.

As part of the wider IMD celebrations, Mutare Museum along with all other national museums across Zimbabwe will offer free entry to the public on Sunday, May 18.

This initiative invites people from all walks of life to explore the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage, making museums more accessible and inclusive to communities.