The rapid development of Macao has transformed it from a small fishing village into a current modern metropolis, and the changing process is filled with interesting variations and historical memories. The earliest museum in Macao started in the 50s of 20th century, and there are more than 20 museums open to the public nowadays.

"Museum and Memory - Objects Tell Stories" is the theme of International Museum Day 2011, which is highly pertinent to the character of the museums in Macao. Through their collections, exhibitions and activities, the museums continuously assist in recording the bits and pieces and the transitions of this city, helps keeping the collective memories of the Macao residents, and tell stories of the changes in this city.

To celebrate the annual International Museum Day on 18th May, admission to all the museums in Macao will be free from 14th May to 18th May, respectively. Each museum will prepare a series of special features and promotional activities in May, including seminars, thematic exhibitions and workshops, etc. in order to let citizens and tourists feel the unlimited power of the museums to the society. For details of free admission and special activities, please refer attachments or visit the portal of the Museums of Macao (http://www.museums.gov.mo).

The Macao International Museum Day Fair 2011 will be held at the Tap Seac Square from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on 8th May. To celebrate the most important joint event of the year, the organizers invited Guangdong Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage, Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong Special Administration Region, Kaiping City Culture Bureau and other museums and cultural entities of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong to participate in the fair.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony of the fair will be held at 3:00 p.m. In addition to exhibitions and booth games of the museums from Macao, Guangdong Province and Hong Kong, there will be a great variety of dynamic shows, including belly dance, saxophone and orchestra performances for the whole afternoon. There will be also lucky draws with fabulous prizes, including iPad, digital cameras, digital video records, book coupons and Taiwan round-trip air tickets. Macao Post will issue a commemorative envelope for free distribution to the public and provide commemorative cancellation service for stamp collectors at the Temporary Postal Counter from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The organizers of the celebrations of International Museum Day 2011 include: Natural and Agrarian Museum, Grand Prix Museum, Fire Services Museum, Maritime Museum, Communications Museum of Macao, Museum of Taipa and Coloane History, Handover Gifts Museum of Macao, Lin Zexu Memorial Museum of Macao, Macao Science Center, Macao Tea Culture House, Dr. Sun Iat Sen's Memorial House in Macau, Macao Museum, Macao Museum of Art, Wine Museum and the Taipa Houses-Museum.

We cordially invite you to attend the Macao International Museum Day Fair 2011 held at Tap Seac Square on the 8th May, to experience the charm of memory from the museums in Macao!