BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: As an institution entrusted with safeguarding the nation’s treasures, the Museums Department continues to uphold conservation as a core priority in ensuring the continuity and sustainability of national artefacts.
The responsibility extends beyond mere storage, encompassing sustained and comprehensive efforts to conserve, preserve, and restore heritage collections so that they remain intact, valuable, and continue to serve as enduring sources of knowledge and national pride.
Acting Director of Museums Pengiran Rosli Halus highlighted the important role of the Museums Department in preserving the nation’s heritage in his welcoming remarks at the launching ceremony of the ‘Conservation Exhibition: Preserving Heritage’ in conjunction with International Museum Day, held yesterday at the Art Gallery, Brunei Energy Hub Dermaga Diraja.
The exhibition aligns with this year’s theme, ‘Museums Uniting a Divided World’, which he explained underscores the role of cultural heritage as a unifying force that reflects the identity and civilisation of society.
Every effort to preserve artefacts is, in essence, an effort to safeguard the narratives and history of a nation. This responsibility does not rest solely on museums, but is a shared trust to ensure that future generations are able to recognise and understand their identity through preserved heritage.
The exhibition offers insight into the conservation process, particularly the integration of scientific methods and conservation expertise in ensuring the longevity of artefacts.
It also provides an opportunity to revisit the fundamentals of conservation while appreciating the moments behind each artefact, including processes such as documentation and stabilisation, as well as strengthening understanding of the increasingly complex challenges faced in conservation efforts.
Legislative Council member Dato Seri Setia Awang Suyoi Osman, guest of honour, officiated the launch. Suyoi also presented tokens of appreciation and certificates to contributors of collections to the Museums Department.
In line with the department’s mission to protect and preserve the nation’s civilisation heritage to promote education and to inspire interest, appreciation, and love for the nation’s civilisational heritage, the exhibition aims to raise public awareness on the importance of preserving museum collections as part of the nation’s cultural heritage treasures.
The exhibition highlights the role of the Museums Department as an institution responsible for preserving, conserving, and ensuring the safety of the nation’s heritage collections.
Preservation is one of the department’s key approaches in fostering unity by bringing communities together through the shared responsibility of safeguarding cultural and natural heritage.
Organised by the Museums Department through its Conservation and Restoration Division, the exhibition is open to the public for one month and 14 days at the Art Gallery, Brunei Energy Hub Dermaga Diraja.
Several talks and activities will also be held, including the ‘Our Preserved Heritage’ Series Talk, demonstrations on the preservation of organic and inorganic collection materials, and quiz activities.
The ‘Our Preserved Heritage’ Series Talk highlights efforts in preserving cultural and natural treasures, covering aspects of preservation, research, and the challenges faced in conservation efforts.
It encompasses both tangible and intangible heritage such as collection materials, cultural traditions, specimens, flora, and historical sites. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
