On May 20, Kharkiv will traditionally join the international Museum Night event.

The idea of the celebration originated back in the 1970s. At that time, museums across Europe opened their doors for free admission. The event was called “Spring of Museums” and took place during the days of May. Since 2001, Paris has celebrated “International Museum Day,” when exhibitions are open to everyone until late in the evening. The celebration immediately became popular in all major European capitals. Later, annual events began to be given themes: “Five Senses,” “Secret Revelations,” or “History and Stories.” In addition to the main events, fairs, theatrical performances, masquerades, and concerts are held on these days.

The annual event received its modern name in 2005. The French proposed making the “Museum Night” museum and exhibition event international. In the same year, this idea was approved by the Council of Europe. The event is supported by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and is held under the patronage of the Council of Europe.

By 2006, more than 2,000 museums from 38 countries around the world had become participants in the project.

Kharkiv officially joined the event in 2010. At that time, four museums and four galleries in Kharkiv took part in it.

This year (2017), Kharkiv is breaking records: 31 cultural institutions of the city will take part.

This year’s theme is “Museums and Contested Histories”