International Museum Day 2025: an invitation to change and to discover new cultural paths

International Museum Day is celebrated on May 18th. It was established in 1977 by ICOM (International Council of Museums) to highlight the role of museums in the development of society. Each year, the event is accompanied by a central theme that guides its global significance. For 2025, the chosen theme is: “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.” This call for reflection encourages a rethinking of the museum as an open, accessible space capable of responding to present-day challenges, including digital transition, sustainability, and social inclusion (ICOM International).

In this context, the “Abitare” column offers a selection of niche itineraries, away from conventional destinations, to celebrate May 18th in an authentic and inspiring way. These are museums and cultural spaces that tell unique stories, often linked to specific territories or processes of architectural regeneration, where museum design intersects with local identities, landscape, and memory. These suggestions aim to highlight not only artistic collections but also the urban and social contexts in which the museums are embedded, offering curated, accessible, and deeply meaningful cultural experiences.

Here are five original suggestions, selected for their cultural and architectural value:

1. Museo della Ceramica – Savona (SV)

   Located in the heart of Liguria, inside the historic Monte di Pietà, this museum offers a modern setup that interacts with the historical architecture. The exhibition path showcases Savona’s ceramic tradition through an innovative museographic language.

2. MUSABA – Park Museum Laboratory – Mammola (RC)
   A visionary art park born from the creative genius of Nik Spatari. MUSABA is an open-air museum where art, architecture, and nature merge into a unique experience in Southern Italy. Every structure is a work of art; every space stimulates reflection and imagination.

3. Palazzo Sturm – Bassano del Grappa (VI)
   Home to the Remondini Printing Museum and the Ceramics Museum, this elegant palace overlooking the Brenta River is an excellent example of architectural restoration. The exhibit design perfectly blends history and innovation.

1. Cittadellarte – Pistoletto Foundation – Biella (BI)
   A former wool mill transformed into an artistic laboratory and cultural center. Founded by Michelangelo Pistoletto, it is now a hotbed of ideas on art, sustainability, and society. The museum also serves as an educational and urban transformation hub.

2. Museum for the Memory of Ustica – Bologna (BO)
   A place of art and memory imbued with profound meaning. The museum houses Christian Boltanski’s permanent installation, combining the wreckage, sounds, and personal belongings of the victims of the Ustica massacre. A place of emotion and awareness.

The Museum as a Living, Social, and Transformative Space

Visiting a museum is not just a cultural act, but also a political and social gesture. International Museum Day 2025 is the perfect occasion to rediscover places that tell stories of the past while also offering visions of the future.

In a historical moment where cities are transforming and heritage must be rethought through a lens of sustainability, these museums are concrete examples of how architecture, memory, and communities can generate value.

An invitation to invest in cultural heritage not only as visitors but also as citizens, designers, and agents of change.

Internal Editorial Team