The MANA Museum Day Aruba 2026 celebration will bring together culture, creativity, inspiration, and peace during a full day of activities at the Museo Arqueologico Nacional Aruba (MANA) on May 18, 2026.
To mark International Museum Day 2026, MANA will open its doors with extended hours from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., inviting the entire Aruba community to participate in a special day dedicated to cultural exchange and learning. Admission to all activities will be completely free.
The theme selected by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) for this year is: “Museums Uniting a Divided World.” The goal of the initiative is to highlight how museums serve as important spaces for cultural understanding, cooperation, dialogue, and peace.
The MANA Museum Day Aruba 2026 program includes a wide variety of activities for visitors of all ages. The day will begin with the television program “Nos Mainta” broadcasting live from MANA through TeleAruba, sharing highlights of the celebration with the wider community.
At 12:15 p.m., archaeologist Drs. Harold Kelly will guide visitors through a special educational tour focused on archaeology and Aruba’s historical heritage.
Another major feature of the MANA Museum Day Aruba 2026 event will be lectures by archaeologist Drs. Raymundo Dijkhoff, presenting new research titled: “A Secondary Burial of a Woman, Child and Monkey @ Isla: The Oldest Burial Site in Aruba.” Two sessions will take place, one at 3:00 p.m. and another at 6:30 p.m.
Temporary art exhibitions will also be open throughout the day, with artists present to interact directly with visitors. Artist Bernadette van der Klooster will host an inspiring Artist Talk, while young artists participating in the colorful exhibition “Parha di Aruba” will share information about their work.
Visitors attending the MANA Museum Day Aruba 2026 celebration will also be able to participate in free origami workshops where they can create symbolic birds of peace to hang in the museum garden.
The evening program includes live music, singing performances, poetry readings, and an open microphone session from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The MANA Museum Day Aruba 2026 event aims to unite the community through culture, education, creativity, and peaceful dialogue while celebrating Aruba’s rich heritage.
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