'Reimagining Museums in India': 2-day global summit in Hyd to discuss museum practices, strategies

Hyderabad: The Central ministry of culture is organising a first-of-its-kind two-day global summit in Hyderabad on 'Reimagining Museums in India'. It will be held from 15 to 16 February.

The summit will be inaugurated by the minister of culture, tourism and development of the northeastern region (DoNER), G. Kishan Reddy. Participants from countries like India, Australia, France, Italy, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom will be a part of the summit that will be held online. Participation is open to the public. Approximately, 2,300 people have already registered to attend the event.

The summit is being organized under the aegis of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the flagship programme to mark the 75th anniversary of India's Independence.

The global summit will bring together leading luminaries, domain experts, and practitioners in the field of museum development and management from India and around the world to discuss best practices and strategies. Over 25 museologists and museum professionals will delve into reimagined priorities and practices for museums. An outcome of this knowledge sharing will include the creation of a blueprint for the development of new museums, nurturing a renewal framework, and reinvigorating existing museums in India.

Speaking about the summit, Mr. Kishan Reddy said, "India is a land of rich cultural heritage dating back to the dawn of human civilization. As we celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, we are proud to renew our focus and dedication to preserving, protecting, and perpetuating our cultural heritage. India's over 1,000 museums are instrumental in not just showcasing and preserving this cultural heritage, but also educating future generations."

The Union minister added, "Over the last seven years, there has been a renewed focus to construct new museums with engaging exhibits and content, leveraging modern technologies such as digital, augmented reality, and virtual reality. We have also invested significantly in upgrading existing museums so that they continue to be relevant to the new generation."

The online summit will encompass four broad themes – architecture and functional needs, management, collections (including curation and conservation practices), and education and audience engagement.