Vanuatu Cultural Centre, National museum in Port Vila, Vanuatu
The Vanuatu Cultural Centre is a national museum in Port Vila housing exhibitions, archives, and collections that document indigenous traditions across the archipelago's many islands. The facility brings together the National Museum, Film Unit, Cultural Survey, Archives, and Library under one roof.
Founded in 1955, the museum began at Port Vila's waterfront before moving in 1995 to a purpose-built facility incorporating architectural elements from northern islands. This relocation allowed the collections and various departments to operate properly.
The center runs a Kastom School program where young people learn traditional arts and storytelling from community elders. This living practice connects visitors with customs that remain active across the island communities today.
The center sits opposite the National Parliament in Nambatu and is easy to locate. Visitors can access all resources in one place since the museum, archives, film unit, and library occupy the same building.
The institution holds an extensive audio collection capturing jungle sounds and tribal chants from the islands. These recordings preserve the acoustic heritage of Vanuatu's indigenous communities and give visitors a sensory connection to the local culture.
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