Latest news with #AnindilyakwaArts:StoriesfromourCountry
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hit the North! Manchester Museum wins the 2025 European Museum of the Year Award
The Manchester Museum has collected this year's top honour at the European Museum of the Year Awards, which were presented on the last day of the EMYA2025 Conference in Poland at the Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok. On a self-proclaimed mission to become the 'most inclusive, imaginative, and caring, museum you'll ever see,' the Manchester Museum was awarded the prize in a year focused on 'Remembrance and Solidarity for Collective Action'. Part of the University of Manchester, this natural history museum was established in 1867 and boasts a collection of about 4.5 million items hailing from every continent. These include archaeological and anthropological artefacts, as well as a vivarium featuring live amphibians. The last exhibit in particular is the only place outside of Panama where visitors can see the critically endangered harlequin toad, which is known by researchers and enthusiasts alike for its striking colors. The European Museum of the Year Award was presented by Amina Krvavac, Chair of the EMYA Jury. In a year focused on solidarity and collective action, the Manchester Museum was recognised specifically for 'enhancing accessibility' and creating 'new spaces to foster deeper community connections and promote intercultural dialogue,' according to a statement from the awards. The museum was also specifically acknowledged for the ways in which it grappled with its colonial past. As museums around the world, including many in the UK, have grappled with the ways in which it has acquired and presented archaeological artefacts, the Manchester Museum, also born of Empire, has, according to the Awards committee 'reimagined its mission' by 'acknowledging and addressing its complex history by redefining the role of its collections and public programmes.' But what do these changes look like in practice? For one, the museum has placed heavy emphasis on highlighting the perspectives of indigenous peoples, and allowing people from those communities to curate and tell their own stories. Such is the case for 'Anindilyakwa Arts: Stories from our Country' an exhibition currently on display, which explores the culture and traditions of the Anindilyakwa People or Warnumamalya (true people), the Traditional Owners of the Groote archipelago off the north coast of Australia. This exhibit in particular was designed by and written with Anindilyakwa artists and Elders. In addition to this, in 2023, 174 cultural heritage items were returned by the Manchester Museum to their country, demonstrating an active desire on the part of the museum to right historical wrongs. The choice of venue for the awards was also carefully considered. Last year, the Sybir Memorial Museum won the Council of Europe Museum prize for its contributions to upholding human rights and democratic citizenship. The museum explores the stories of Poles deported to the USSR during the Second World War, and was praised for its ability to bring history to life 'through workshops, events, media, publications, and new formats.' This year's Council of Europe Museum Prize went to the Euskararen Etxea, the House of the Basque Language in Bilbao, Spain. This space, described by the awards committee as 'a unique cultural space dedicated to the Basque language, its history, and the stories of resilience and identity associated with it,' was awarded for its exploration of 'the deep emotions, challenges, and resistance tied to the Basque culture.' While this museum focuses on the history of the minority language used primarily in Spain, it offers exhibits in English, French, Spanish, as well as Basque, making it accessible to a wider variety of visitors. The museum recognised for community engagement was the Alvor Lifeguard Interpretative Centre (CISA) in Portimão, Portugal. Much like the Manchester Museum, CISA places heavy emphasis on people-forward exhibitions, with stories being told by the people they are about. CISA itself focuses on preserving traditional artisanal fishing practices and labour traditions, with many contributions coming from local residents. The Portimão Museum Prize for Welcoming, Inclusion and Belonging, which celebrates a 'friendly atmosphere of inclusion', went to the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, which was recognized for the ways in which it reaches out to young people. The museum boasts an average of 500 young visitors a day, according to the awards committee. Awarded for environmental sustainability was MUZOO, a contemporary Swiss space which invites locals to care for animals to foster conversations about biodiversity. It combines exhibits with interactive experiences that both create environmental dialogue and leave a lasting impression once the visitors leave. Nini Sanadiradze, the former General Director of The Union of Tbilisi Museums, was also honored as an individual for her 'courageous, at times controversial, museum practices that challenge and expand common perceptions of the role and responsibilities of museums in society.' She was also recognized with a medal of honor by the former Georgian president, Salome Zourabichvili, for her 'exceptional dedication to safeguarding and conserving Georgian cultural and historical heritage.' Next year's awards will be held at the Euskararen Etxea in Bilbao.
Euronews
26-05-2025
- General
- Euronews
Manchester Museum is the European Museum of the Year 2025
The Manchester Museum has collected this year's top honour at the European Museum of the Year Awards, which were presented on the last day of the EMYA2025 Conference in Poland at the Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok. On a self-proclaimed mission to become the 'most inclusive, imaginative, and caring, museum you'll ever see,' the Manchester Museum was awarded the prize in a year focused on 'Remembrance and Solidarity for Collective Action'. Part of the University of Manchester, this natural history museum was established in 1867 and boasts a collection of about 4.5 million items hailing from every continent. These include archaeological and anthropological artefacts, as well as a vivarium featuring live amphibians. The last exhibit in particular is the only place outside of Panama where visitors can see the critically endangered harlequin toad, which is known by researchers and enthusiasts alike for its striking colors. The European Museum of the Year Award was presented by Amina Krvavac, Chair of the EMYA Jury. In a year focused on solidarity and collective action, the Manchester Museum was recognised specifically for 'enhancing accessibility' and creating 'new spaces to foster deeper community connections and promote intercultural dialogue,' according to a statement from the awards. The museum was also specifically acknowledged for the ways in which it grappled with its colonial past. As museums around the world, including many in the UK, have grappled with the ways in which it has acquired and presented archaeological artefacts, the Manchester Museum, also born of Empire, has, according to the Awards committee 'reimagined its mission' by 'acknowledging and addressing its complex history by redefining the role of its collections and public programmes.' But what do these changes look like in practice? For one, the museum has placed heavy emphasis on highlighting the perspectives of indigenous peoples, and allowing people from those communities to curate and tell their own stories. Such is the case for 'Anindilyakwa Arts: Stories from our Country' an exhibition currently on display, which explores the culture and traditions of the Anindilyakwa People or Warnumamalya (true people), the Traditional Owners of the Groote archipelago off the north coast of Australia. This exhibit in particular was designed by and written with Anindilyakwa artists and Elders. In addition to this, in 2023, 174 cultural heritage items were returned by the Manchester Museum to their country, demonstrating an active desire on the part of the museum to right historical wrongs. The choice of venue for the awards was also carefully considered. Last year, the Sybir Memorial Museum won the Council of Europe Museum prize for its contributions to upholding human rights and democratic citizenship. The museum explores the stories of Poles deported to the USSR during the Second World War, and was praised for its ability to bring history to life 'through workshops, events, media, publications, and new formats.' This year's Council of Europe Museum Prize went to the Euskararen Etxea, the House of the Basque Language in Bilbao, Spain. This space, described by the awards committee as 'a unique cultural space dedicated to the Basque language, its history, and the stories of resilience and identity associated with it,' was awarded for its exploration of 'the deep emotions, challenges, and resistance tied to the Basque culture.' While this museum focuses on the history of the minority language used primarily in Spain, it offers exhibits in English, French, Spanish, as well as Basque, making it accessible to a wider variety of visitors. The museum recognised for community engagement was the Alvor Lifeguard Interpretative Centre (CISA) in Portimão, Portugal. Much like the Manchester Museum, CISA places heavy emphasis on people-forward exhibitions, with stories being told by the people they are about. CISA itself focuses on preserving traditional artisanal fishing practices and labour traditions, with many contributions coming from local residents. The Portimão Museum Prize for Welcoming, Inclusion and Belonging, which celebrates a 'friendly atmosphere of inclusion', went to the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, which was recognized for the ways in which it reaches out to young people. The museum boasts an average of 500 young visitors a day, according to the awards committee. Awarded for environmental sustainability was MUZOO, a contemporary Swiss space which invites locals to care for animals to foster conversations about biodiversity. It combines exhibits with interactive experiences that both create environmental dialogue and leave a lasting impression once the visitors leave. Nini Sanadiradze, the former General Director of The Union of Tbilisi Museums, was also honored as an individual for her 'courageous, at times controversial, museum practices that challenge and expand common perceptions of the role and responsibilities of museums in society.' She was also recognized with a medal of honor by the former Georgian president, Salome Zourabichvili, for her 'exceptional dedication to safeguarding and conserving Georgian cultural and historical heritage.' Next year's awards will be held at the Euskararen Etxea in Bilbao. This weekend, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival officially came to a close - with its top prize, the Palme d'Or, being award to the Iranian revenge drama It Was Just an Accident. But beyond the silver screen, the real spectacle was on the red carpet. The Croisette was a catwalk of high drama, with fashion looks stealing the spotlight. It was undeniably the year of the gown - including Elle Fanning and Jennifer Lawrence delivering some show-stopping silhouettes. Meanwhile Pedro Pascal and Alexander Skarsgård gave the internet exactly what it wanted with their respective looks (that's without mentioning the viral kiss they shared after the premiere Pillion). This year also brought a notable shift in dress code: with the ongoing trend of sheer and skin-baring looks, the festival quietly updated its dress code to state that 'nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival.' But that didn't stop Cannes' A-listers from making bold, unforgettable fashion statements. This year's red carpet delivered talking-points, elegance, and plenty of sartorial surprises. Here are 14 of the most standouts looks from the 2025 festival.
The Guardian
11-04-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Indigenous Australian shell dolls let out for children's play at UK museum
They represent a 'beautiful friendship' that defies preconceptions, spanning 9,000 miles with a complicated, 70-year history. The 12 dadikwakwa-kwa shell dolls, traditionally used to teach kinship, literacy, numeracy and about women's health – have been given by the Indigenous Australian Anindilyakwa community to a UK museum on one condition – that children play with them once a year. The relationship between Europe's museums and the countries and communities where items were taken from has been replete with controversy in recent years. But Manchester Museum cemented a bond with the Anindilyakwa community, the traditional owners of the land and seas of the Groote archipelago in the Gulf of Carpentaria, off the northern coast of Australia, by returning 174 objects in 2023. The returned items included spears, boomerangs and a number of dadikwakwa-kwa. They had been bought or traded in the 1950s by a social scientist, Peter Worsley, during his anthropology PhD, but the community had not understood the deals as permanent, said Noeleen Lalara, a senior elder. The safekeeping and eventual return of the items was of profound significance to the Anindilyakwa community, who number 1,600 people and 14 clans. The items have helped ensure the transfer of wisdom between generations – meaning, in the words of Amethea Mamarika, an emerging Anindilyakwa leader, 'young people can follow in the footsteps of our ancestors'. By giving 12 new dadikwakwa-kwa crafted by Anindilyakwa artists to Manchester Museum, the community is changing the way the university museum tells its stories: these artefacts are not meant to be permanently kept from the curious behind glass. In workshops over the Easter holidays, visitors have signed up to play with the new dadikwakwa-kwa in sand at the museum. The dolls form part of a permanent exhibition, Anindilyakwa Arts: Stories from our Country (Alawudawarra yirri-langwa-langwa angalya), created in close collaboration with the community, breaking with historical conventions of telling Indigenous stories through colonial perspectives. Exhibits include 'monster fish' sculptures, spears and silk scarves bought by the museum, and an Anindilyakwa dictionary compiled by elders. The result is a collection embodying Anindilyakwa ecology, wisdom and language, the history of their trade routes and civilisation. The dadikwakwa-kwa are considered living entities, carrying the spirits of ancestors and guiding those who interact with them. Sign up to The Guide Get our weekly pop culture email, free in your inbox every Friday after newsletter promotion Alex Alberda, Manchester Museum's curator of Indigenous perspectives, said: 'We built a beautiful relationship, [the Anindilyakwa community] are still our friends and they're dear to us. [The dadikwakwa-kwa] represent that connection and keeping that connection alive.' Describing the excitement of the children's dadikwakwa-kwa play sessions, Alberda added: 'I thought maybe they'll be there for 15 minutes … but every time I've had to say: OK, now it's time to put [the dadikwakwa-kwa] back to sleep because the hour's up. 'When Noeleen said this was a requirement, I said: what happens if they get broken? She turned to me and just said: 'They're toys, they're going to be.' 'I just love that, because for the dadikwakwa-kwa you need to see more wear on them in order to see that they've been cared for. Year after year, you're going to see how they change and you're going to see how much love they have.' Anindilyakwa Arts: Stories from our Country is a permanent exhibition at Manchester Museum. Dadikwakwa-kwa Come Out to Play runs alongside it, until 17 April, with sessions requiring advance booking. Entry is free.
