A shared ethos and an unmissable exhibition

Anglo-Saxon metalwork from inside the lidded vessel from the Galloway Hoard. (Supplied National Museums Scotland)

For those with a love of all things Viking and historic but without the time to head overseas in the near future comes an amazing new exhibition at the Melbourne Museum – Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard.

The exhibition opened on 29 August and will run through to 26 January giving enthusiasts from around Australia plenty of time to head to Melbourne.

The Galloway Hoard is a rare and unique collection of Viking-age mementos, jewellery and heirlooms and is considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the century.

Featuring items buried around AD 900 and discovered by metal detectorists in 2014, The Galloway Hoard brings together materials and treasures from the early medieval kingdoms of Britain and Ireland, mainland Europe and as far away as Central Asia.

The exhibition is being produced in collaboration with National Museums Scotland.

And if you are a museum looking for a partner to help bring such an impressive collection like this to Australia who is at the top of your call list?

The Viking Cruise Line.

“We are very pleased to partner with the museum and help bring one of the world’s most extraordinary Viking-age collections to Melbourne,” Viking ANZ Managing Director Michelle Black said.

“This is a rare and exciting opportunity to connect Viking travel partners with Museums Victoria’s vision to inspire and enrich visitors through knowledge and experiences.

“We are looking forward to inviting our culturally curious guests to explore the significance of the Viking-age treasures featured in this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition.”

Museums Victoria Chief Executive Officer and Director Lynley Crosswell said they had been creating knowledge, entertaining visitors and building Victoria’s State Collection for 160 years.

“We are delighted to welcome Viking as a sponsor for the Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard exhibition,” she said.

“Melbourne Museum helps people understand and connect with the world around us and view our cultures and history through different perspectives.

“Viking’s contribution reflects our shared ethos of creating engaging and compelling experiences of global relevance.”

Michelle said Viking shared a vision to inspire curiosity and a deeper understanding of culture and history through education and immersive experiences respectively.

“Viking offers destination-focused travel experiences For The Thinking Person through onboard cultural insights and enrichment programs, while Museums Victoria brings to life the opportunity for exploration of bold new ideas and smarter ways of doing things,” she concluded.