Celebrated every year on May 18, International Museum Day was established by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977 to highlight the role of museums in fostering cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and peace among peoples. Supported by UNESCO, the International Museum Week, which begins on this day, aims to raise public awareness about cultural heritage and emphasize the role of museums in social development.

This year's theme invites us to reimagine museums not only as custodians of the past but also as agents of change, protectors of cultural identity, and platforms for innovation. The focus is on how museums can preserve intangible heritage, engage younger generations, and adapt to new technological possibilities in an era of constant transformation.

As Turkey's first and only university-based archaeology museum, the METU Archaeological Museum is celebrating this week with a series of engaging events aligned with the 2025 theme. The program includes:

18 May 2025 | MUSEUM DAY | CINEMA at the MUSEUM

Our museum will be open to visitors on Sunday, 18 May, starting at 09:00. At 16:00, a presentation titled “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Societies | Reimagining the Museum” will take place, followed by a guided museum tour with participants.

The day will conclude with an opening cocktail reception accompanied by live music and a film screening.

19 May 2025 | MUSEUM and EXPLORATION

On the second day of Museum Week, a walk to Yalıncak, one of the significant archaeological sites located within the METU campus, will be organized.

With this event, the aim is to highlight the connection between the METU Archaeological Museum and the Yalıncak Settlement and archaeological site, which lies within the campus boundaries and forms part of the museum’s collection. The activity seeks to ensure that this connection is recognized, remembered, and preserved by all university members, students, and visitors.

After the walk, a picnic accompanied by music will take place at Yalıncak

20 May 2025 | ART at the MUSEUM

Museums are not merely spaces where artifacts are displayed; they are places where individuals can re-establish and strengthen their connections with the past and with art.

In this context, following the talk titled “From the Cave to the Stage: Performance and Magical Pigments in Prehistory” by Çiğdem Atakuman, an art workshop will be held to encourage participants to reimagine the past through art and develop creative awareness.

The workshop will be conducted by painter Cezmi Orhan.

21 May 2025 | PRODUCTION at the MUSEUM

Artifacts displayed in museums enhance our knowledge and intuition about the past, helping us better understand the historical legacy of humanity.

In this context, following a talk by Nadire Atıcı and Deniz Erdem on “The Journey of Clay in Archaeology,” a clay workshop will be held. The workshop aims to provide participants with the opportunity to experience ancient production techniques and to imagine and create their own objects, inspired by the past.

22 May 2025 | SEMINAR at the MUSEUM

On the fifth day of the week, presentations will be given by experts conducting national and international research on museum design, the transformation of existing museums, and university museums.

Following the presentations, a panel discussion titled “The Future of the Museum: Reflecting Through the METU Archaeological Museum” will take place. In this panel, all speakers and audience members will be invited to discuss the evolving role of museums in a rapidly changing world and to explore the future of the METU Archaeological Museum.

23 May 2025 | MUSEUM at the FESTIVAL

On the final day of International Museum Week, which coincides with the ongoing METU Spring Festival, the METU Archaeological Museum will be open to visitors.