Most people have forgotten the meaning behind traditional or religious festivals

 
67 
January 1, 2020 
58.
 
Museums and galleries 2 
Museums and art galleries should focus on works that show the history and culture 
of their own country rather than works of other parts of the world. 
To what extent do you agree or disagree? 
SAMPLE ANSWER 2: MOSTLY AGREE 
There is natural debate around the issue of whether or not museums should be showcasing 
works mainly from their own country or other countries. Although it is important to learn 
about other cultures through museums, countries have the right and responsibility to 
preserve and maintain their own cultural history. 
Proponents of museums showing a variety of works from many different countries rightly 
argue that people’s lives are enriched through all these different cultures. For example, 
Europe is a relatively small area that packs in dozens of distinct national identities. 
Someone going to a museum in a cosmopolitan city like Berlin is likely to find Italian 
Renaissance paintings next to modernist Spanish sculpture as well as German works. This 
allows people to feel they are travelling around the world and taking in a variety of 
viewpoints. Through this exposure to culture they may come to better understand other 
nations and have greater insight into what connects and differentiates countries from each 
other. 
Despite the clear benefits of learning about other cultures, countries have the right to 
house the relics of their own history. Many of the museums displaying works from other 
countries took them without permission. For example, the British Museum’s collection was 
mainly sourced during the height of the British Empire. Many nations have disputed the 
right of the museum to house their country’s artifacts and some have been returned. It is 
only right that countries keep what was made in their country so that they can educate 
their own people about their history. Anything that has been taken without explicit 
permission should be returned, just as a thief is required to return what they have stolen if 
they are caught. 
I think that there is tremendous value in museums displaying works from other countries 
but it does not override the basic right of nations to look after their own history. One way 
forward would be to encourage museums to have frequent exchanges and temporary 
exhibitions. 

---

Essays From Examiners