National Museum Opening to Open on Saturdays Too

The Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage has announced that the National Museum will be open every Saturday from 18 May, allowing the public additional opportunities to visit, view exhibits and carry out research, as the museum is currently open only on official working days.

Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Heena Waleed said the decision followed public requests to extend the museum’s opening days and hours.

She said the National Museum will open every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM starting 18 May, with the aim of increasing public access.

Heena also said work was underway to introduce extended evening opening hours on official working days. She added that the ministry aimed to allow visitors to access the museum until around 10:00 PM once the necessary administrative arrangements were completed.

“God willing, we will organise and carry out the work as quickly as possible so that people have the opportunity to enter the museum and view the works until approximately 10:00 PM,” she said.

The ministry said the change will be implemented on International Museum Day, as observed by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).

The National Museum traces its origins to 1952, when the first museum was opened on 19 November by then Prime Minister Mohamed Amin. The current museum building was later established after the foundation stone was laid during the presidency of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and the facility was officially opened during the presidency of Mohamed Nasheed.

The museum houses collections and information relating to Maldivian history, culture and heritage, covering ancient periods, historical transitions, the reigns of sultans, and key national events.