Marbella Town Hall, through the municipal delegation of Culture and Education, reported that coming Tuesday, May 18, the Museum of the Contemporary Spanish Engraving (Museo del Grabado Espanol Contemporaneo) will celebrate International Museum Day with an open house.

During the whole day, the museum will be opened to public without any entry fee from 09.00 to 21.00, in addition with guided tours and tours of the library and the building at 11.30, 12.30, 17.30 and 18.30.

This celebration, hosted by the ICOM (International Council of Museums), belonging to UNESCO, this year 2010 is an invitation for museums to engage in the construction of a fair and balanced living.

This year’s theme is “Museums for Social Harmony”, and as ICOM’s definition of museums suggests: museums are at the heart of the system, institutions that serve and develop society.

Here in Marbella, too, the Museum of the Contemporary Spanish Engraving is committed to increase its activities by opening doors to the plurality, not to mention the museum’s own work: the acquisition, conservation and research for education and dissemination of its funds.

For more information call 952765741 or info@mgec.es

What is International Museum Day?

Each year the International Museum Day has been celebrated worldwide on May 18, since 1977. The day provides an opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them about the challenges museums face these days.

It is the ICOM Advisory Committee which chooses a special theme eying museums’ services to the society and its overall development. The chosen topic which certainly holds international importance is discussed through various activities organised by museums around the world.

As the motto of the organisation reads: “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, co-operation and peace among peoples,” ICOM invites all members to celebrate International Museum Day.

Visit the official website of at www.icom.museum and learn more about the international council and the theme statement.