May 18 is International Museum Day, and the theme for 2023 is "Museums, Sustainability and Wellbeing". This year, the theme of Shanghai's "5·18 International Museum Day" is: museums empower a better life, and museums light up the future of the city. It focuses on the harmonious symbiosis between the museum, the people and the city, spreads the ever-increasing influence of the museum, and gradually becomes a strong support for launching the "Shanghai Culture" brand and enhancing the city's core competitiveness.

Until May of this year, Shanghai has registered 162 museums, about one museum for every 150,000 people, far exceeding the national average. At present, Shanghai is using the "Great Museum Plan" as the engine to promote the construction of a world-class "museum capital" with Chinese characteristics, and help the overall improvement of Shanghai's urban soft power. This year's International Museum Day, the city launched a series of themed activities to empower a better life and brighten the future of the city.

The event at the main venue in Shanghai was held on May 18 at the Shanghai Museum of Glass celebrating its 12th birthday.

Emma Nardi, President of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), delivered a video speech to the main venue in Shanghai, sending blessings and messages to the city's cultural and museum circles.

Publish the 2022 Shanghai Museum Annual Report, and analyze the development of museums in the city from 2017 to the present (2018 International Museum Day, Shanghai released the first provincial annual report) through the annual report data, summarize the changes over the years and look forward to the future.

The event announced and awarded several awards including the 2022 Shanghai Museum Exhibits and Exhibitions and the Shanghai Museum Excellence Online Exhibition.

The World Expo Museum’s “Meow's Wonderland-- An Exhibition of Naive Arts from Belarus” won two honors, the 2022 Shanghai Museum Exhibition Excellence Promotion Award and the Excellence Online Exhibition.

Hu Xingfang (first from left), volunteer of the World Expo Museum was awarded the honorary citizen of Shanghai Museum.

The WE Kids youth education activity of the World Expo Museum won the honor of the first Shanghai Museum Excellent Education Project.

Liu Wentao, curator of the World Expo Museum (third from left) and project representatives receiving the award

The theme of the Shanghai International Museum Day this time is: Museums empower a better life. The benign interactive relationship between the museum and the people, and the city, as well as the increasing influence of the museum, have become a strong support for launching the "Shanghai Culture" brand and enhancing the city's core competitiveness. The World Expo Museum will continue to provide citizens with high-quality exhibitions and services, and strive to become an encyclopedia for citizens' amateur cultural learning and a cultural living room for leisure and communication.