Museums allow us to follow the evolution of civilization and human creativity

CIU Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture (FFADA) Acting Dean, Prof. Dr. Nezih Ayıran, speaking within the scope of 18th May International Museum Day, stated that museums have important functions, such as the raising of awareness in relation to human existence, a deeper understanding of the natural environment, while directing them to a more just and peaceful future.

Explaining that museums are institutions that protect the material elements related to human activity and natural environment, while also providing explanations in relation to their formation, Prof. Dr. Ayıran went on to state, "Museums allow us to observe the evolution of civilization and human creativity and give us an in depth understanding of the nature of the natural environment”.

Point out that museums were not created to only display positive situations continuously, Ayıran, continued, “At the same time, museums also display elements in relation to humanity’s historical destruction and brutality”.

Reminding that the International Council of Museums accepted World Museum Day in 1977, Prof. Dr. Ayıran explained that this year's World Museum Day theme is "The Future of Museums: Recover and Re-imagining".

Highlighting that as with all cultural activities, this past year has seen the Covid-19 pandemic effect museums negatively, Ayıran advised that especially with relation to visitor numbers, museums have suffered an important reduction.

Explaining that museums developed a virtual environment for those that were unable to physically visit due to the pandemic, Prof. Dr. Ayıran noted that as a result, there was a great increase in the number of individuals who visited virtually.

Highlighting the benefits of digital museums during the pandemic period, Ayıran added that with this experience, it is foreseen that after the pandemic, it will direct people to physically visit, and in this way, museums will be much more beneficial to societies.

With the awareness of the CIU FFADA academician’s important role in museum design training, Dean Ayıran congratulated museum curators, museum establishers and museum workers Museum Day.