Bảo tàng lịch sử Quốc gia

ICOM will take part for the first time in a World Expo, in Shanghai, China in 2010. The Expo will be golden opportunity to present the challenges faced by museums to vistors at the biggest World Exhibition ever organised.

The Shanghai 2010 World Expo is already around the corner. No less than 186 countries that have confirmed their participation, as well as 47 international organisations, including ICOM, will be present at this important world event from 1 May to 31 October.

By choosing the theme “Better City, Better Life”, the organizers intended to place city dwellers at the centre of prevailing preoccupations, and the exhibition in the centre of the city. With over 70 million visitors expected, the Shanghai 2010 World Expo literally goes to town by allocating an area of over 5 square kilometres, on both banks of the River Huangpu, between the Lupu and Nanpu bridges.

Shanghai City. Photo by Aurélia Jakmakejian

This vast forum on urban life will be viewed from different angles, through the following sub-themes: “The blending of different cultures in the city”, “Economic prosperity in the city”, “Innovation of science and technology in the city”, “Remodelling of communities in the city”, and “Rural-urban interaction”.

Museums in the heart of the city

ICOM will set up a stand of 108 square metres inside the pavillon set aside for international organisations in Zone B, in the centre of the Expo Park. The pavillons next to ICOM will represent the countries of ASEN and Oceania, as well as the United Nations.

ICOM will focus its exhibitions and events on the theme “Museums: heart of the city” during the six months of the Expo. A permanent exhibition will present ICOM, its missions and its actions. ICOM will also be under the spotlight on the occasion of events devoted to International Museum Day, to be celebrated on 18 May 2010, on the theme of “Museums for Social Harmony”.

Six months, six exhibitions, five themes and numerous events

ICOM will participate for the first time in its history in a World Exhibition, the biggest ever organised. The programme of the ICOM stand will include temporary exhibitions and workshops.Photo by EWI/ICOM

From May to October 2010, ICOm will organise six temporary exhibitons to discover museums in all the continents: Europe in May, Africa in June, North America in July, Lation America in August, Oceania in September, and Asia in October. Every month, these exhibitions will illustrate the theme to enable visitors to investigate the role of museums in society, in culture, in the economy, in innovation and finally, in the environment. These temporary exhibitions will be inaugurated by events designed for families and school groups, since they will be the main visitors to the World Expo.