Celebrating ICOM International Museum Day

Discover Pharmacy Museums 2026: One route, many voices

What is Discover Pharmacy Museums?

Discover Pharmacy Museums is an annual initiative promoted by the Aromas Itinerarium Salutis – The European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Gardens, organised on the occasion of ICOM International Museum Day (18 May).

The initiative consists of a collective digital communication action, involving pharmacy museums and medicinal gardens within the AIS network.

Concept of the 2026 edition

In the words of the International Council of Museums (ICOM):

"In times of social fragmentation, polarisation, and unequal access to knowledge and culture, museums help rebuild connection across generations, across communities, and across borders, fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion, and peace within and between communities worldwide."

Within this context, the European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Gardens -Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 2024, represents a concrete example of this connection. The route brings together institutions and people from different countries, languages and cultural contexts through a shared theme: the heritage of materia medica. Pharmacy museums preserve the objects, archives and material culture of pharmaceutical practice, while medicinal gardens safeguard the natural heritage and living knowledge of medicinal plants that shaped remedies, traditions and everyday life across centuries.

Together, these institutions form an international network that fosters dialogue, cooperation and access to knowledge, giving visibility to diverse voices connected to the history of healing.

One route, many voices

The 2026 edition of Discover Pharmacy Museums titled "One route, many voices" invites the members of the AIS network to participate in a collective video campaign that will bring together the voices of pharmacy museums and medicinal gardens across Europe. Each participating institution will record a short video message answering one question:

What does it mean for you and your institution to be part of the European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Gardens?

All contributions will be edited into one collective video, showing how institutions across Europe contribute to a living network of cooperation, inspiration and cultural dialogue. The video will be published on 18 May 2026, as part of the celebrations for ICOM International Museum Day.

How to participate

Participating institutions are invited to send a short video clip answering the guiding question: What does it mean for you and your museum or garden to be part of the European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Gardens?

Speak one short sentence only (10–12 words recommended)
Record the video inside the museum, historic pharmacy or medicinal garden, so the place and its heritage are visible.
Video format: vertical (smartphone format)
Look towards the camera
Record the video in your national language
Provide written English translation, the name of the speaker, city and country via email

There are no right or wrong answers. We invite you to express, in your own words, what you believe is most meaningful about being part of the AIS network.

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