Touring the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of Congo : The National Museum of the Democratic Republic of Congo is a significant cultural landmark and must-see destination for anyone visiting the country, whether traveling for business or a Congo safari tour. The museum was opened to the public on 23 November 2019 by the President of the DR Congo, Félix Tshisekedi. Referring to requests for the restitution of African cultural heritage from museums in Europe. The museum is located in downtown Kinshasa along the banks of the Congo River, near to the government buildings of the city.
The construction cost of US-$21 million was funded by the Korean Agency for Cooperation (KOICA). The building was built after a construction period of 33 months in cooperation between experts of the DR Congo and the Republic of Korea under modern aspects (locally available construction materials, use of solar energy, natural air circulation with only partial use of air conditioning, etc.) and represents the largest cultural policy investment of South Korea in Central Africa to date.
It is open every day of the year except for Sundays and public holidays, and it offers a varied programme of events and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Some of the most popular exhibits at the museum include the Kinzo Art Gallery, which is home to an impressive collection of Congolese art; the Manikongo Gallery, which explores the life and times of King Ndombe; and the Galerie Africaine, which is dedicated to showcasing African art and culture from around the world. Visitors to the museum can also enjoy daily guided tours of the building, a panoramic elevator ride to the top of the tower for panoramic views across the city, and a fantastic range of shopping and dining facilities within the complex.
The National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was first opened in 1964 by President Joseph Kasavubu. It was originally conceived as a national museum designed to celebrate the culture and history of the people of Congo (formerly Zaire), but as with many other such institutions around the world it gradually began to play a wider role in the promotion of conservation and education as well. Today the museum is considered to be one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in Central Africa, and its world-class exhibits attract visitors from all over the world each year.
Visiting the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a great way to learn more about the country’s fascinating history and culture. There are a huge range of exhibits on display throughout the building, covering a wide range of topics from the everyday lives of local people throughout history right up to more modern events. Every section of the museum is extremely well presented and designed to make the visitors’ experience more enjoyable and informative at the same time. There is also a great café on the fourth floor of the museum that offers a selection of tasty snacks and refreshments, making it an ideal place to stop off for a coffee break during a busy day of sightseeing tours in the city. There are also a range of shops selling souvenirs and other gifts near the main entrance to the museum, so visitors can pick up some mementos of their visit to take home with them.
The museum is divided into four main galleries: the Archaeology Section, which contains exhibits from pre-colonial times and includes some interesting examples of early African art and sculpture; the Ethnography Section, which presents a number of displays featuring various aspects of local life and culture; the History Section, which contains permanent exhibitions relating to the country’s history and heritage; and the Decorative Arts Section, which contains a large collection of elegant furniture, decorative objects and other works of art belonging to various periods in the history of Zaire.
