By Ogova Ondego
Published April 12, 2014
Lovers of culture in Kenya shall have free access to all 20 national museums and nine sites and monuments across the country on April 18, 2014.
National Museums of Kenya says this is in line with its marking the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)-declared International Day for Monuments and Sites that falls on April 18 and coincides with the Christian holiday of Good Friday.
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“The heritage of commemoration takes a variety of forms: engraved inscriptions, mausoleums of exceptional architecture or works of monumental sculpture, more modest elements reflecting vernacular traditions or dedicated landscapes such as cemeteries or memorial gardens. This heritage also includes elements that were given a commemorative value; for example, ruins or industrial vestiges accompanied by dedication plaques, or public squares whose toponymy commemorates a historical event or individual,” NMK says in a statement.
Calling it ‘Great Easter offer’, NMK says “The activities proposed will uncover and highlight this oft-forgotten aspect of Kenya’s heritage.”
The theme for the 2014 International Day for Monuments and Sites is “The Heritage of Commemoration: Providing an opportunity to present constructions, or various other interventions, that have been intentionally created with the purpose of commemorating an event, a person, an idea.”
While the nine sites and monuments are Olorgesailie, Uhuru Gardens, Koobi Fora, Jumba la Mtwana, Mnarani, Siyu Fort, Songhor, Thimlich Ohinga, and Takwa, museums include Nairobi National Museum, Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi Snake Park and Nairobi Gallery all located in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Other houses of culture outside Nairobi include Nyeri Museum, Tambach Museum, Wajir Museum, Rabai Museum, Malindi Museum, Loiyangalani Desert Museum, Hyrax Hill, Meru Museum, Gede Ruins, Kariandusi, Kabarnet Museum, Kitale Museum, Lamu Museum, Narok Museum, Kisumu Museum and Kapenguria Museum.
The current entry fee to NMK are Sh200 (adult citizens); Sh100 (child citizens); Sh600 (resident foreigners); Sh1200 (visiting foreigners).
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NMK also offers Night Tours–6:00pm – 10:00pm except when there is a private function– “for organised groups for a minimum of 10 people”. Usual charges are
Sh500 (Adult Citizens); Sh250 (Child Citizens); Sh2000 (Non-Resident Adults); Sh1000 (Non-Resident Children).
Nairobi National Museum offers discounted joint tickets that include admission to the Snake Park:
Sh300 (Citizen Adults); Sh150 (Citizens below 16 years); Sh600 (Resident Adults); Sh300 (Residents below 16 years); Sh1500 (Non-Resident Adults); and Sh1000 (Non Residents below 16 years).
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