NGZ holds International Museums Day

Lovemore Lubinda

The National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) yesterday joined the whole world to celebrate the International Museums Day in Harare, with schools exhibiting different artifacts from crafts to drawings.

The day coincides with the Tavatose/Sisonke Schools Northern Region Exhibition, which was officially opened at the Gallery today, with the national exhibition taking place on June 3.

The schools exhibition is a collaborative effort by the NGZ in association with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) under the theme, Celebration Time! With the Environment in Mind.

The celebrations were punctuated by song and dance from school children ranging from pre-school, primary and high schools. Those who excelled were given cash vouchers and certificates.

The schools exhibition has been described as a show based on unity and brings pupils from different backgrounds together to express themselves through art, song and dance.

There was also a tour of the running exhibitions, including an exhibition of some works in the Permanent Collection, focusing on 18th Century and mid-20th Century artists as well as local contemporary artists.

Speaking at the event EMA representative said the organisation was pleased to be taking part at the celebrations, and urged arts participants to always bear the importance of environmental conservation in mind.

He challenged school children to spread the environmental stewardship gospel to their peers and parents.

“As young children, it is always hard to try and educate parents, but I challenge you not to lose hope, educate your peers and parents about the importance of environmental conservation,” he said.

He said the project is premised on developing a greater awareness of the importance of keeping the environment clean, by taking good care of the environment, for it to also take care of us, adding that it would be of benefit to the current and future generations.