Melbourne will host the world premiere of the MANDELA My Life exhibition in September 2018.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren joined Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang today at Melbourne Museum, where the exhibition will premiere to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth.
It will be the first time such a comprehensive collection of Mandela’s artefacts and memorabilia has been shown outside South Africa.
MANDELA My Life will see his story brought to life through careful curation and digital technologies, showcasing an extraordinary collection of original artefacts, film and audio archives.
The exhibition is endorsed by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, established by Mandela in 1999 as his post-presidential office and vehicle for his extensive charity, rural development and diplomatic work.
The Foundation is the custodian of much of Mandela’s personal collection of documents, photographs and memorabilia.
After exclusively opening in Victoria, the exhibition will tour up to 20 international cities and will be viewed by an estimated 2.7 million people.
The exhibition is a major coup for Melbourne Museum and its curators, who will act as one of the Global Executive Producers of the exhibition.
In 2016-17, almost 2 million people visited Museums Victoria sites, including more than 270,000 students who participated in education programs.
MANDELA My Life will boost these numbers and attract more visitors to Victoria, supporting jobs and teaching our children the most important values.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren
“Nelson Mandela fought every day for freedom, love and human rights – changing the world and making it a better place.”
“We’re proud this exhibition is making its world debut in Victoria, continuing Mandela’s incredible legacy and reminding us all that it’s in our hands to make a difference.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“MANDELA My Life tells the story of one of the world's greatest revolutionaries through exclusive artefacts – and I'm proud that Melbourne Museum will be its first home.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020