Title: Exploring The Role Of Peace Museums: A Case Study Of The East And West

Author: Parin Somani, International Academic Scholar, Gujarat University (India)

Abstract: The expression of ‘Peace’ can be broad in definition and practice, thus varying in experiences between the East and West. To fully understand peace museums in the East and West, we must seek to explore definitions of ‘Peace’ and methods utilized to educate visitors. An extensive literature search reflecting primarily on Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Japan in the East and The Aga Khan Museum (AKM), Canada in the West, was carried out. This study deduced that museums can deliver messages of peace through their approaches and goals despite museum type. The Covid-19 pandemic has provoked rapid change, using innovative methods to convey messages of peace, creating new historical memories. Despite being renowned for Arts and Culture, the AKM promotes peace through pluralism and diversity demonstrated through it’s without wall architecture. Multiple definitions of peace provide interesting comparisons, made between museum types in the East and West. Rise in the use of technological advancements due to the COVID-19 pandemic have allowed global virtual audiences to share experiences of peace, in addition to traditional methods. The museums promote diversity, seeking to celebrate the past, while creating a peaceful confident vision for the future, through executing current initiatives in these unprecedented circumstances.

Video: https://youtu.be/mtPojoC4Tt8