Samoa celebrated International Museum Day this week but due to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.) has had to tone down the commemoration.

The annual International Museum Day (I..M.D) promotes the importance of museums as a "means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among people.”

The Museum of Samoa, located at Malifa, was established to protect, preserve and promote Samoa’s history and heritage, drawing on the opportunities to learn and value the Samoan culture and people.

“Due to S.O.E. restrictions, M.E.S.C. will host a mini display)exhibition at the main foyer of the M.E.S.C’s main office at Malifa on Monday 18^th and Tuesday 19^th May 2020," a statement from M.E.S.C. said.

"The exhibition is a series of photographs of Samoa from 1900-1962 highlighting Samoa’s journey towards its independence in 1962. This mini exhibition is open to the public on both days. Social distancing will be observed."

A teacher from Magiagi Primary School, Pifolau Maota, said every year on Museum international Day is an important occasion for the students.

“It’s one of those days where the students would look forward to in order to learn something new and interesting," Maota said. 

"But this year I don’t know if all the students were able to participate at the exhibition due to the current S.O.E restrictions.”

The theme of this year's commemoration is "Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion."