The National Museum says it is pleased with the number of Namibian and foreign visitors to the newly opened Independence Memorial Museum.
According to information provided by the museum yesterday, more than 1 800 people visited the new museum last weekend – about 80% of them Namibians.
“Many Namibians of all parts of our society were bringing their children to learn about Namibia’s history, as just below 22.5% of the visitors were under 14 years of age,” said the museum.
It said perceptions that the exhibitions are biased and address only a specific cross-section of Namibian society cannot be reconciled with visitor statistics, as foreign visitors and Namibians of European descent constituted just over 29% of visitors.
“That visitor component spent as much time in the display galleries as other Namibians. Despite the rainy conditions and many people going to church or shops on Sunday morning, more than 400 visitors still visited the galleries.”
According to the museum, informal exit surveys and comments registered at the museum confirmed the satisfaction and pleasure that Namibians and other visitors derived from the exhibitions.
It said the numbers and types of visitors to the museum suggest that the galleries are popular.
The Independence Memorial Museum was opened on March 20 by President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who also unveiled the adjacent Sam Nujoma and genocide statues.
More than 700 invited guests attended the opening, many of whom visited the exhibitions.
Visitors during the Independence Day long weekend consisted of 1 452 Namibians, 350 foreign visitors, 406 children and 510 people of European descent.
The museum is open from 09:30 to 19:00, with the last visitors allowed in at 18:00 because the average time spent by visitors is about an hour. Museum guides are on duty throughout the day to direct and inform visitors.
According to the museum, entry will remain free for the first three to six months, after which entry fees will be charged to fund the upkeep of the galleries.
A contract for running the restaurant on the fourth floor is still pending, and it is closed except for special events.
According to information provided by the museum yesterday, more than 1 800 people visited the new museum last weekend – about 80% of them Namibians.
“Many Namibians of all parts of our society were bringing their children to learn about Namibia’s history, as just below 22.5% of the visitors were under 14 years of age,” said the museum.
It said perceptions that the exhibitions are biased and address only a specific cross-section of Namibian society cannot be reconciled with visitor statistics, as foreign visitors and Namibians of European descent constituted just over 29% of visitors.
“That visitor component spent as much time in the display galleries as other Namibians. Despite the rainy conditions and many people going to church or shops on Sunday morning, more than 400 visitors still visited the galleries.”
According to the museum, informal exit surveys and comments registered at the museum confirmed the satisfaction and pleasure that Namibians and other visitors derived from the exhibitions.
It said the numbers and types of visitors to the museum suggest that the galleries are popular.
The Independence Memorial Museum was opened on March 20 by President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who also unveiled the adjacent Sam Nujoma and genocide statues.
More than 700 invited guests attended the opening, many of whom visited the exhibitions.
Visitors during the Independence Day long weekend consisted of 1 452 Namibians, 350 foreign visitors, 406 children and 510 people of European descent.
The museum is open from 09:30 to 19:00, with the last visitors allowed in at 18:00 because the average time spent by visitors is about an hour. Museum guides are on duty throughout the day to direct and inform visitors.
According to the museum, entry will remain free for the first three to six months, after which entry fees will be charged to fund the upkeep of the galleries.
A contract for running the restaurant on the fourth floor is still pending, and it is closed except for special events.
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