120 museums to open for free during three-day celebration

A total of 120 museums in the city will open to the public for free from May 17 to May 19 to mark International Museum Day, which falls on May 18 this year, local media reported Wednesday.

The China Maritime Museum, the Shanghai Auto Museum and the Aurora Museum will be among the institutions that will suspend admission charges over the three-day period, according to a report in the Xinmin Evening News.

Several museums, many of which opened over the last 12 months, will join in the International Museum Day festivities for the first time this year. Those museums include the Shanghai Songze Relics Museum, the Suzhou River Industrial Civilization Museum, the Yuz Museum and Long Museum's venue in Xuhui district.

On May 18, 40 museums will extend their hours to remain open until 9 pm. That evening, many museums will host special cultural activities, such as lectures, film screenings and a Peking Opera performance. Cultural activities will also take place at schools, communities and public squares.

Because International Museum Day will fall on the same day as the National Day for Assisting Persons with Disabilities, some museums tailored cultural activities for the disabled. For instance, the Shanghai Songze Relics Museum will hold activities for people with disabilities to handle antiques.