PAST EVENT Archives

PAST EVENT

8 November 2024

WFFM European meeting, Parma 25th to 27th October 2024

Press release

WFFM Europe meeting in Parma, Pilotta Complex, 25-27 October 2024

The World Federation of Friends of Museums (WFFM) is an international non-governmental, non-profit organization that aims to promote cooperation among associations of friends of museums associations worldwide. Founded in 1975, following the momentum generated by the General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in Paris in 1971. The World Federation of Friends of Museums is a privileged partner of ICOM and was recognized in 1989 by UNESCO as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), reinforcing its role as a key player in promoting culture and heritage on an international scale.

The Federation’s members now represent more than 2 million Friends. The main mission of the World Federation of Friends of Museums is to foster international cooperation among associations of friends of museums to promote mutual understanding, exchange information, and share best practices. The Federation aims to enhance and enrich the life of museums by supporting the development of these associations for the benefit of both museums and the public.

The World Federation of Friends of Museums regularly organizes international meetings and gathers in Parma, in the prestigious Pilotta monumental complex, 25 to 27 October, to take stock of actions undertaken at the European level this year and plan.

To celebrate the community of a million enthusiasts across Europe, national federations initiated the first annual European Day of Friends of Museums in 2023; it takes place every second Sunday in October. The goal of this day is to celebrate and highlight Friends of Museums in Europe with events on a common theme, held on the same day in each association’s respective country.

The second edition of this event supported by the European and associations of 10 countries, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Romania, United Kingdom, and placed under the patronage of the European Parliament, took place on Sunday October 13 under the theme “Your Museums, our Passion!”. It was the opportunity for the 200 or so associations which participated to showcase the actions they carried out throughout the year to share their passion and contribute to their museums’ influence.

A wide variety of actions were proposed: presence of Friends in the museum with a stand to present the associations and its activities, guided tours of the museum or temporary exhibitions, lectures, round tables with art historians, drawing classes, workshops for children, historical reenactments in period costumes, concerts in the museum, partnerships with museums in twin cities in Europe, friendship drinks, free museum admittance, joint actions by Friends or Young Friends of Museums.

During their meeting in the Palatina Library, European countries considered the very good audience they got with their actions and decided to go along the third European Day of Museums, Sunday 12 October 2025 keeping for the next following years their motto “Your Museums, our Passion!” which identify clearly who are the Friends of Museums.

Generously and warmly welcomed by the Friends of the Pilotta and their curators they were able to immerse themselves in Parma’s rich and long cultural heritage from the archeological national museum to the Farnese theater and the colorful graces of the Correggio and Parmigianino painters throughout the city.

PAST EVENT, WFFM

16 May 2024

Reflections and Gratitude: the 2024 General Assembly in Luxembourg

Welcoming friends of museums from all over the world to Luxembourg has been an absolute pleasure for the Amis des Musées Luxembourg. The enthusiasm and active participation in all the activities truly overwhelmed us. We believe our four-day program successfully showcased that Luxembourg boasts a rich cultural heritage and numerous exciting museums waiting to be explored.

The journey began with the Academic Session at Cercle Cité, featuring distinguished guests including HRH Princess Stéphanie of Luxembourg, Eric Thill, the Minister of Culture, Simone Beck, President of the Luxembourg Commission for UNESCO, Carolyn Forster, President of the WFFM and numerous representatives of WFFM members presenting their reports.

Attendees then enjoyed a guided tour of the Lëtzebuerg City Museum, first welcomed by Lydie Polfer, Major of Luxembourg and the museum director, followed by a delightful dinner at the museum’s restaurant.

The following day featured an insightful Executive Council Meeting at the National Museum of History and Art, with guided tours showcasing the national treasures of Luxembourg. This was followed by a visit to the iconic “The Family of Man” photo exhibition in Clervaux.

The evening was dedicated to contemporary art at the Casino Luxembourg – Forum d’art contemporain, where participants explored the exhibition “Forced Amnesia” and engaged with local artists and curators, concluding with a cocktail and performance-concert.

On Saturday, the focus shifted to the historical Musée Dräi Eechelen, discussions on engaging younger generations of museum friends and guided tours of the fortress’s history. Optional activities included a visit to the European Investment Bank’s corporate art collection. The day wrapped up with a contemporary art exploration at MUDAM, featuring visits, a poetry reading, an arty dinner and a bit of dancing.

The Congress concluded on Sunday with the General Assembly of the World Federation of Friends of Museums at MUDAM, followed by a guided tour of Villa Vauban and a lovely luncheon in the museum park.

Overall, the event provided a comprehensive and enriching cultural experience, facilitating the exchange of ideas on promoting art and cultural heritage and sharing experiences as friends of museums.

On behalf of all the Amis des Musées Luxembourg, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your enthusiastic participation.

Day 1 – 2 May 2024

– Academic Session at the Cercle Cité
– Visit of the permanent exhibition at the Lëtzebuerg City Museum
– Cocktail at the Lëtzebuerg City Museum
– Dinner at L’Hêtre, Lëtzebuerg City Museum Restaurant

Day 2 – 3 May 2024

– Council Meeting of the WFFM

– Visit of the Nationalmusée

– Visit in Clervaux of « The Family of Man » (Edward Steichen)

– Visit and dinner at Casino Luxembourg

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Day 3 – 4 May 2024

– Round Table at Musée Dräi Eechelen

– Lunch at Musée Dräi Eechelen

– Visit Musée Dräi Eechelen

– Council Meeting at Musée Dräi Eechelen

– YFM Meeting at Musée Dräi Eechelen

– Visit of the EIB Collection

– Poetry reading by Alice Notley at Mudam

– European Day of Friends of Museums Meeting

– Welcome and Introduction at Mudam

– Visit of the exhibition at Mudam

– Cocktail and Dinner at Mudam

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Day 4 – 5 May 2024

– General Assembly at Mudam

– Visit at Villa Vauban

– Lunch at Villa Vauban

– Portraits

PAST EVENT, WFFM

13 October 2023

European Day 2024

“Your museum, our passion “

The European Day 2024 aims to celebrate Friends of Museums groups throughout Europe and to give the Friends of Museums visibility and more recognition in an event that is specific to them and not to be confused with those organized by museums.

Museum enthusiasts across Europe – united in national federations of Friends of Museums within a worldwide Federation – inaugurated the annual European Day of Friends of Museums on the second Sunday of October 2023.

The purpose is to raise the profile of Friends of Museums in Europe on a single day when each association highlights the actions it carries out throughout the year and raises the profile of their museum. On the 1st European Friends of Museums Day, Sunday October 13, we shall emphasize that museums are a heritage to be enjoyed by all and we have a shared responsibility for their preservation and promotion.

Over a thousand friends of museums associations all over Europe participate. They celebrate the importance of museums as custodians of heritage, as spaces of encounter, and cultural enrichment for all. They are driven by passionate individuals who want to share and spread their enthusiasm. They support their museums in purchasing works of art, financing exhibitions and projects, and taking on important tasks in cultural education.

World Federation of Friends of Museums, WFFM https://thewffm.org/

PAST EVENT, WFFM

17 February 2023

2023 WFFM GENERAL ASSEMBLY

On the year “Brussels, Capital of Art Nouveau”, the General Assembly of the World Federation of Friends of Museums was held in the Avenue Louise district of the town.

This artistic movement first appeared in Brussels at the end of the 19th century, before spreading rapidly to France and the rest of Europe.

From a cultural point of view, the meeting allowed the discovery of some emblematic monuments of Art Nouveau: the Horta Museum, the Hotel Solvay, the Hotel Hallet and the recently renovated Hannon House.

In addition to the institutional meetings, two topics have been the subject of conferences and exchanges: Young Friends of Museums and “Friends of Museums, influencers?”

After several preparatory meetings, the general meeting also approved the launch in 2023 of an annual European Day of Friends of Museums to raise the profile of Friends of Museums.