International Museum Day 2023

2023-05-18

May 18 is celebrated as International Museum Day around the world. The Mir Castle Complex does not stand aside and for the umpteenth time tried to surprise its visitors.

This year the organizers have prepared a program called "Museum Transformation". As you know, it is museums that act as custodians of memory, places where the past comes to life. And we tried to “revive” it in the Mir Castle on May 18!

All the action began in the courtyard, where the castle cannon welcomed guests at 10.00, 12.00 and 15.00.

Another surprise awaited the visitors of the museum in the palace part of the North Palace. On this day, instead of sightseeing tours, excursions with elements of theatricalization were held! Museum staff in historical costumes told about the secrets of the prince's cuisine, the secret language of the fan, and much more.

The master of ceremonies of the castle spent the whole day tirelessly teaching old dances to the guests in the Portrait Hall! By the way, children really liked Marazulya. After all, this is a very simple dance: two steps to the left, two to the right, one step forward - two claps, one step back - two claps. But the tempo of the music accelerates, and in the end all movements must be done quickly and clearly. Good mood was guaranteed!

At 11.00, 12.00 and 16.00, everyone could learn the secrets of making vytinanok in the attic of the castle, where an exhibition of Belarusian folk craftswoman Svetlana Vyal is currently taking place. The master class was held by the curator of the exhibition - researcher Veronika Krasovskaya. Ordinary sheets of paper have turned into miracle birds!

In the afternoon, at 14.30, a truly significant event took place in the Mir Castle! In the exhibition hall "The First Owners of the World" a new exhibit was presented, which is directly related to the founder of the castle - Yuri Ilyinich! The metal matrix of the seal was found in the Berestovitsky district of the Grodno region. The coat of arms is clearly visible on the matrix of the seal: there are three beams on the cartouche, the length of which decreases from top to bottom, above the cartouche are the initials, two Latin letters: “І[erzy] І[linicz]”. According to its features, the matrix dates from the first half of the 16th century. and, according to researchers, belonged to the owner of the Mir Castle, Yuri Ivanovich Ilyinich.

At 5:00 pm, the results of the Museum Transformation contest, which took place on social networks, were summed up. The essence of the competition was to repeat, using fantasy and creativity, the image of a gallant scene in the style of the 19th century, which is presented on a tea pair from the museum's collection. We congratulate the winner and hand over a certificate for 2 entrance tickets to the museum with excursion service.

The organizers hope that this day left bright memories and emotions in the memory of the participants. Museum employees are sure that it is thanks to events of this kind that a unique opportunity arises to show the potential of our museum. Therefore, it is not surprising that the best employees of the institution were awarded diplomas of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus that day.