Digital museum of Sikh heritage to mark 10th anniversary with free event at the University of Leicester
The Sikh Museum Initiative's virtual reality set up at Leicester Museum an Art Gallery
A museum which showcases Sikh heritage will mark its tenth anniversary with a celebration hosted by the University of Leicester.
The Sikh Museum Initiative (SMI) was set up a decade ago, in Leicester, to preserving and promote Sikh history and heritage in the UK.
It has built up an extensive collection of relics and documents which have been digitised to demonstrate the bind between the UK and Sikh communities, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to understand the close relationship that exists.
The SMI works with museums across the country, undertaking lectures and exhibitions, with its team taking its Virtual Museum, comprised of VR headsets and digital touchscreens, on the road.
The 10 year celebration is being hosted by the University’s Heritage Hub, which brings people and organisations together to connect, explore and celebrate the rich heritage of Leicester and surrounding region.
The free event takes place on Wednesday 29 October, on the University’s campus, and will include guest speakers, insightful talks and a vibrant showcase of arts and heritage stalls highlighting Sikh culture. Visitors will also be able to experience the SMI’s digital showcase of 3D relics.
Kartar Singh, general secretary of the SMI, said: “Over the past decade, the Sikh Museum Initiative has been a beacon for preserving and sharing Sikh heritage in the UK and abroad – blending history, art and 3D digital innovation to bring stories alive.
“As this celebration we also look ahead: to expand our educational reach, deepen our community engagement, and continue pushing the boundaries of how heritage is experienced.
“We’re especially grateful to the University’s Heritage Hub for partnering with us to deliver this milestone event, and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating our journey and the vibrant future of Sikh heritage.”
Professor Sarah Scott, Director of the Heritage Hub, said: “The SMI team has worked tirelessly to research the stories and heritage that make up the rich history of the Sikh community here in the UK – and the way the team has harnessed virtual reality to take the exhibits to audiences around the UK is particularly impressive.
“We are delighted to be hosting the 10 year celebration of the Sikh Museum Initiative on the University’s campus and are looking forward to hearing about its future plans at the event.”
The University worked with the SMI on the 2017 exhibition, Anglo-Sikh Wars, Battles, Treaties and Relics, which saw a Sikh manuscript in the University Collections digitised.
The event takes place on Wednesday 29 October, between 6pm and 8pm. Attendees are invited to register their attendance in advance via the website.