Cuba Unveils Broad Program to Celebrate International Museum Day
Under the theme “Los Museos uniendo un mundo dividido,” Cuban cultural institutions are preparing a nationwide, multidisciplinary program to mark International Museum Day (IMD 2026) on May 18.
This year, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) is calling for reflection on the role of museums as guardians of cultural identity and as mediators of peace—institutions capable of fostering dialogue and inclusion in a world shaped by constant change.
“It is an event that brings together the full scope of museological work across different countries,” said Aimee Mansur, Vice President of the National Council of Cultural Heritage (CNPC). She noted that the concurrent celebration of International Monuments Day on April 18 allows Cuba to extend its schedule of activities for more than a month.
According to Mansur, the program is dedicated to the centenary of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, highlighting his legacy in preserving cultural identity and historical memory, she said during a press conference.
Adela Lorente, Director of Management at the Council, also confirmed that the program commemorates the 80th anniversary of ICOM and the 60th anniversary of the Educational Services Department of the National Museum of Fine Arts of Cuba.
The main event will take place on May 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the National Museum of Fine Arts of Cuba, where ICOM-Cuba and the CNPC will present awards recognizing the work of various institutions, including Best Museum of the Year, Intangible Heritage Award, and honors for a range of educational projects.
Meanwhile, museums across the Caribbean nation will host “open doors” events featuring participatory experiences for children, teenagers, and young adults, as well as temporary exhibitions and monthly showcases, said Gricel Santana, Director of Museums at the CNPC, during the press briefing.
“Specific activities are created to celebrate everything that takes place within a museum,” Mansur also told this news agency. “We recognize the ongoing work of these institutions, particularly in education, community engagement, and initiatives focused on different age groups.”
On May 11, the Ignacio Agramonte Provincial Museum in the eastern province of Camagüey will host an event honoring the death of Major General Ignacio Agramonte. At the same time, the Palacio de Junco Museum in Matanzas will open the exhibition Memories of Fidel in the Collections of San Severino Castle.
The Cultural Heritage Division of the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana has scheduled a program from May 18 to 23, preceded by activities in museums located in Havana’s Historic Center.
Finally, on the central day of the commemoration, guided tours led by children and young people will take place in museums nationwide, alongside exhibitions such as the one at La Isabelica Museum in Santiago de Cuba, dedicated to the historic leader Fidel Castro.
Details of the provincial IMD 2026 program in Cuba are available on the social media platforms of the Cultural Heritage Council, which, together with ICOM, aims to shape a plural and decentralized celebration.
Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez
Photo: International Council of Museums
