BEIJING, May 8 -- Twenty-six museums in Beijing will be open free to the public on May 18 to celebrate International Museum Day, Beijing Morning Post reported today.

Exhibitions in museums like the Beijing Ancient Numismatic Museum, the Baita Temple and Beijing Museum of Ancient Architectures will all be open free to visitors on Friday week, the report said.

International Museum Day, designated by the International Council of Museums in 1978, is meant to heighten public awareness of the important role that museums play in communities.

The Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage will also arrange to have its annual antique authentication as part of the celebration, the report said.

The authentication, to be held from 9am to 4pm in the Museum of Ancient Architectures, will be divided into three categories as china craftworks, painting and calligraphy as well as miscellaneous items. Connoisseur experts will be invited to the event, the administration said.

The administration will first deliver 600 numbers to antique amateurs for the authentication from 9am next Wednesday at the Museum of Ancient Architectures, the report said. Every one is entitled to only one number with their ID card, which can grant them three items for the free authentication.

The list of free museums can be found in the Chinese version of the story