LC selected for Int’l Museums Day celebration
May 18, 2009
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) – National Committee on Museum (NCOM) Executive Committee unanimously agreed that Laoag City be one of the three venues selected for the International Museums Day (IMD) Celebration.
IMD 2009 is a three day celebration which will be heldon May 18, 21 and 25, 2009, in Laoag City (Ilocos Norte), Batangas City and Bacolod City respectively. The theme for this year’s. celebration is “Museum and Heritage Tour ism.” Gameng – Museo Ilocos Norte will host the celebration in Laoag City.
Since 1977, the IMD has been celebrating all over the world by member countries of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to provide a reminder to governments / lawmakers and the public of the significant role museums play in the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. Decided by the ICOM Advisory Committee to better coordinate international celebration, this year’s theme aims to establish standards for heritage conservation within the context of tourism development, and for ensuring host community benefits.
Heritage Tourism can make a significant contribution to economic prosperity, It enables its cultural heritage to be recognized, but unfortunately can also harm it especially in culturally and naturally vulnerable regions. The necessary interaction between cultural heritage protection and cultural development can be achieved through the key role of museums of preserving and conserving the heritage itself and of fostering cultural diversity and mutual understanding.
The activities for the IMD 2009 include a general meeting of all members of the Northern Luzon Association of Museums (NLAM) and a seminar workshop on Museums and Heritage Tourism focusing on Intangible Heritage. Experts on the field of Heritage Tourism will be invited to render a lecture for all members of the NLAM, local officials, educators and students. In Laoag City, the activity will be held at the Provincial Capitol Auditorium on May 18, 2009.
(Araceli Albano-Drake is the Administrator of Museo Ilocos Norte)
