National Museum of World Cultures, Ethnographic museum complex in Amsterdam, Leiden, and Berg en Dal, Netherlands
The National Museum of World Cultures unites three museums in different locations and presents one of the largest collections of ethnographic objects and photographs. The collections document the lives, traditions, and material cultures of people from different regions around the world.
The institution was founded in 2014 by bringing together three historic museums that had each collected artworks and cultural goods for decades. This merger made it possible to manage the scattered collections more effectively and in a coordinated way.
The museum displays everyday objects from cultures around the world and shows how people in different countries live and work. The exhibitions help visitors discover both the differences and similarities between various ways of life.
Each museum building offers different spaces with exhibitions, areas to sit, and spaces where you can move around freely. It is advisable to check the opening hours before visiting, as these can vary depending on the location.
The museum has an established process for returning cultural objects to their countries of origin and addresses its colonial past openly. This approach makes it a model for other institutions grappling with similar issues.
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