This is the theme chosen by ICOM for the International Museum Day in 2026, with the aim of capitalizing the role museums in particular and cultural institutions in general have not only at the level of cultural heritage preservation but also in the wider field of education.

The International Museum Day initiative goes back to 1976 when it was for the first time mentioned as such in the Minutes of the 138^th meeting of the Executive Board of ICOM, being then adopted in 1977 at the 12^th General Assembly of ICOM, and planned to be first celebrated worldwide starting with 1978.  As outlined in the 1977 Declaration, the purpose of such an enterprise is to ”develop the role of museums which use the universal language of the original language to improve the international understanding” (Sabine de Valence, “Journée Internationale des Musées”, in Nouvelles de l’ICOM, 1 Jan. 1978, p. 12). In the draft of the 5^th Resolution of the 1977 Declaration, one can find even the proposed slogan under which these celebrations are to take place: “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples” (International Council of Museum, Draft Resolutions, 12^th General Assembly, Moscow, 28 May 1977).

The theme is yearly chosen and for18 May 2026 it has been “Museums Uniting a Divided World”,  marking also ICOM’s 80^th anniversary, with reference to the potential of museums worldwide to act as catalyzers, to create bridges across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides, fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion and peace within and between communities worldwide. This is because museums are trusted venues, that keep apart from momentary interests or influences, which through their actions contribute to the UN Social Development Goals that ICOM has adhered to since 2020. ”Museums Uniting a Divided World” particularly support SDG 10: ”Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries”, SDG 16: ”Peace, justice and strong institutions: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies”, and SDG 17: ”Partnerships for the goals: Revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development”.

Apart from free admission, special events are also generally planned each year to mark the International Museum Day and bring it forth to the public attention.

In the case of “Moldova” National Museum Complex of Iași, Romania, this very special day was set for the opening of a very special exhibition: ”Brâncuși at the Palace”, designed around the bronze sculpture ”A Child’s Head” created by the great Romanian sculpture, and presented for the first time at the Palace of Culture in Iași. As a matter of fact, it is for the first time that this sculpture, that belongs to the National Art Museum of Romania, in Bucharest, is presented to the public in another museum. The artwork is particularly important as it marks the starting of the shape essentialization process that highly contrbuted to the artist’s fame. A special room has been created for the purpose at the Art Museum of Iași and inaugurated on 18 May on this occasion that brought together a large public.