Shadows of time
Published on: May 17, 2010
MARGAO: International Museum Day, celebrated all over the world on the
May 18 since 1977, provides for museum professionals to meet the public
and alert them to the challenges that museums face.
And each year, a theme is decided on by the Advisory Committee of the
International Council of Museum (ICOM).
Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of
cultures, development of mutual understanding, co-operation and peace
among peoples. As a definition by ICOM says, a museum is "an institution
in the service of society and of its development".
Now complying with the theme, Museum for Social Harmony, Goa Chitra, an
ethnographical museum, situated in Benaulim, has opened its door to all
senior citizens of the state this year. The curator and founder of the
museum, Victor Hugo Gomes reiterating his passion for preserving the
past to enrich the future says that the genesis of the museum began many
years ago when he started collecting old, discarded implements and tools
from attics and storerooms because he was saddened to see reminders of a
way of life disappear.
This project has been recognised as an international product and has
been the recipient of two International awards - The Fundacao Orient
scholarship 2009 (Portugal) and the VX Verodiano Award 2009 (USA) - for
persons who preserve the well being of mankind through individual
advancement in the field of art, music, literature, science, medicine or
humanities.
As a tribute visitors from the home of the aged across Goa are invited
for a free and special tour of the museum on the May 18. Special tours
will be conducted personally by the curator and collector Victor Hugo
Gomes at 10 a.m., 12 noon and 4 p.m.
http://www.navhindtimes.in/iexplore/shadows-time
Goanet A-C-E!
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