MANDELA My Life: The Exhibition set for world premiere in Melbourne

The Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren has today announced that MANDELA My Life: The Exhibition, the official historical exhibition and commemoration of Nelson Mandela’s life and times, will make its world premiere in Melbourne, Australia.

Melbourne Museum, recognised as Australia’s leading museum, will host its world premiere in September 2018, coinciding with the 100th anniversary celebrations of Nelson Mandela’s birth.

MANDELA My Life: The Exhibition will be produced and promoted by Australian companies iEC Exhibitions!, the Lead Global Producer, and TEG, Australasia’s leading ticketing, live entertainment and data analytics company.

Melbourne Museum will be one of the Global Executive Producers of the exhibition, which will be the first time such a comprehensive collection of Mandela’s artefacts and memorabilia will leave South Africa.

The exhibition is endorsed by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which was established by Mandela in 1999 as his post-presidential office and vehicle for his vast charitable, rural development and diplomatic work. The Foundation is the custodian of much of Mandela’s personal collection of documents, photographs and memorabilia.

Minister Eren said it was fitting that Melbourne will host the world premiere given the city’s deep connection with Nelson Mandela and his life’s work.  One of his earliest international visits after his release from prison was to Melbourne in October 1990 to receive the highest civic honour our city can bestow – the Freedom of the City.

“Nelson Mandela fought every day for freedom, love and human rights – changing the world and making it a better place,” said Minister Eren.

“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.”

Lynley Marshall, CEO Museum Victoria, said: “At Museums Victoria we tell human stories that inspire us and connect us to each other and the world around us.

“The story of Nelson Mandela is fundamentally one of inspiration and hope; the story of how one man prevailed against extraordinary odds to lead and unite a fractured nation.

“I am delighted that we will be working in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Visit Victoria, IEC and TEG to bring this incredible story to Australia.”

Tony Cochrane, the Founding Director of iEC Exhibitions!, said it was an enormous honour and responsibility to be entrusted with presenting Nelson Mandela’s legacy.

“The Mandela exhibition will showcase an extraordinary collection of original artefacts, memorabilia, film and audio archives,” said Cochrane. “The history will be brought to life through careful curation and digital technologies. I thank the Nelson Mandela Foundation for their trust and support and look forward to collaborating with Melbourne Museum to bring the exhibition to life.”

TEG CEO Geoff Jones said he is delighted that Australian audiences will be the first to see MANDELA My Life: The Exhibition.

“Mandela’s fight for freedom changed the course of history in South Africa and resonated around the world,” said Jones. “The exhibition is an incredibly important contribution to ensuring Mandela’s legacy continues to change the world. I thank the Victorian Government, Melbourne Museum and Visit Victoria for making this possible.”

“The vision of the Nelson Mandela Foundation is for a society that remembers its past, listens to all its voices and pursues social justice,” said the Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO, Sello Hatang.

“These values are universal in our view so we are delighted that the MANDELA exhibition will take the message directly to people all over the world, starting in such a marvellous and special city as Melbourne that had a direct connection in supporting Nelson Mandela’s long struggle.”

After exclusively opening in Melbourne, Australia, the Mandela exhibition will tour up to 20 international cities and will be viewed by an estimated 2.7 million visitors.


For event information on MANDELA My Life: The Exhibition  go to www.mandelamylifeexhibition.com

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