In today's increasingly complex environment, museums both domestically and internationally, as institutions with the ability and potential to influence society, have been actively engaging with social issues and demonstrating their close connection to contemporary society.

Following the theme of "Museums as Cultural Hubs: The Future of Tradition" in 2019, the theme for International Museum Day on May 18th has been updated to "Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion".

In this new theme, the slogan "Museums for Equality" reflects museums' new understanding of their role in serving the public interest and social responsibility. Museums are no longer just repositories of artifacts but rather institutions dedicated to the progress and development of humanity.

When discussing Belgium, one cannot overlook the city of Antwerp – known as the "World Diamond Capital", it is the second largest port in Europe and one of the busiest maritime hubs in the world today. Its illustrious history dates back to the 16th century: the Age of Exploration brought unprecedented attention to Antwerp due to its favorable shipping conditions.

By 1504, the Portuguese designated it as one of their major shipping bases, expanding Antwerp's trade reach. Raw materials such as fabrics from England, Italy, and Germany, salt from France, and wheat from the Baltic Sea were transshipped and distributed through Antwerp. The establishment of banks helped numerous manufacturers obtain the necessary funds for overseas trade.

In 1531, the world's first stock exchange was founded in Antwerp, swiftly making it the "center of the entire international economy" at the time, ranking as Europe's wealthiest city with an income seven times greater than the Spanish royal family.

The flourishing trade economy provided ample opportunities for cultural exchange, and the city's highly prosperous material foundation further facilitated the development of art. Antwerp, renowned as a European cultural and artistic center, is particularly famous for its outdoor sculptures.

With hundreds of art galleries, museums, concert halls, and galleries, the city showcases its long and illustrious history. Among the recently completed museums, the most prominent is the MAS Museum (Museum aan de Stroom), which opened in 2011.

Ranked as one of the top twenty museums in the world, it was designed by the Dutch architectural firm Neutelings Riedijk Architecten, inspired by the 16th-century Hanseatic warehouse Hanzehuis. The entire building appears to be constructed by stacking square "boxes" on top of each other, with a spiral staircase winding around these "boxes," providing visitors with a new perspective to admire the city and the port.

The red stone on the museum's exterior comes from India, and the curved-cut glass curtain wall reaches up to 6 meters high. Embedded within the red stone are three thousand aluminum handprints, making this "Red Tower" shine brightly in the sunlight. Standing at 60 meters tall, the museum offers a breathtaking view of the entire city if one ascends to the top floor.

"This highly representative building is the intersection of this city and the world, serving as a link between the past, present, and future."