International Museum Day is celebrated annually on 18 May. The theme of this year's celebration is ‘The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine’. This year’s theme aims at highlighting the unprecedented circumstances that have emerged around the globe as a result of the pandemic, through a reimagination of the operation of museums, a redefinition of their role and a consideration of culture’s overall impact as a ‘restart button’ for the post-Covid era.
After having been closed to the public for several months, the Neraida Floating Museum now opens its digital gates to welcome back its visitors. To mark the occasion of the 2021 International Museum Day, the Museum is organising a network of digital activities addressed to a variety of groups, including students, children and families, and the general public. Through these actions, which seek to open a channel of communication with the museum, the public will have the opportunity to ask questions, as well as to interact and virtually tour the museum's exhibition areas.
With a focus on this year's theme, and taking advantage of the modern tools available, the Neraida reintroduces itself to its public, bridges any gap created between them, seeks new paths for communication and shared experiences, and presents 3 new creative activities that will take place online throughout the week of 17-23 May 2021.
1. ‘Online guided tour of the Neraida Floating Museum’
An activity for the general public
Get on board the Neraida Floating Museum and take a virtual tour of its spaces! Through the online guided tour you will get to know the history of the ship, the origins of which date over 80 years back, the chronicle of its conversion from an old passenger ship into a floating museum, and the business path of its owner, John Latsis, in the 20th century. At the same time, you will be shown different aspects of the ship, both known and unknown, as well as of the maritime tradition in general.
Click HERE for a journey through time with the NERAIDA!
2. ‘Full speed ahead: The students start their journey with the Neraida!’
An online activity for Primary School students
Why was this ship called ‘Neraida’? When does its story begin? In which ports did it anchor? How did the telegraph on the ship’s bridge work? What was the speaking tube used for? Why did the crew of the ‘Neraida’ need a bell? What are a famous movie diva and three Russian cosmonauts doing aboard the ‘Neraida’?
These and many more questions will be answered in our interactive online tours! Board the ship, explore its spaces, search for its crew members, discover old and new objects and get to know their stories.
Register at [email protected] and log in to the Webex distance learning platform to start your journey!
3. ‘What would you like to know about the Neraida? You ask, we answer!’
An online activity for children and parents
The Neraida Floating Museum opens its digital doors to children and adults alike, and answers the public's questions, revealing aspects of its daily life and its long history.
Follow the Neraida Floating Museum on social media, Instagram & Facebook, ask your questions, and discover all of its secrets! From 17 to 23 May 2021, the ship’s people will answer your questions and will reveal known and unknown stories about the legendary ship of the Argo-Saronic Gulf.
All online activities implemented by museums in the framework of the International Museum Day are available here.