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The Auckland War Memorial Museum is preparing a special week of activities leading up to this year's Anzac Day commemorations on Friday.
The centrepiece of commemorations is the outdoor projection of Heroes of Gallipoli, the rare film recently restored by Peter Jackson that contains the only known footage of the campaign.
It will be projected onto the museum's front entrance for the three evenings leading up to the Anzac Day commemorations (April 22, 23, and 24). The 20-minute film will play on continuous loop from 7.00pm to 10.00pm.
A three-minute segment of this rare film can also be viewed on nzherald.co.nz by clicking on the link on this page.
The museum's new director, Dr Vanda Vitali, says before she was appointed to the role she saw last year's commemorations.
"I saw how the museum and Cenotaph became the emotional hub of the city, and was struck by how many people from all different walks of life came to remember the sacrifices made by those young men so many years ago. The experience was very moving."
Other events in the week leading up to Anzac Day include:
An exhibition of army paintings by Captain Matt Gauldie. This exhibition opens on April 23 and features a series paintings capturing the New Zealand Defence Force serving in the remote mountains of Afghanistan and the dense jungle of the Solomon Islands.
Lest We Forget Poetry Competition reading. A selection of entrants to this year's poetry competition will be invited to read their poems in the Hall of Memories on Tuesday, April 22, with the two favourites from each category invited to read their poem in the Hall of Memories on Anzac Day.
Dawn service and early opening. The Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland City Council and the RSA mark Anzac day with a series of services and commemorative events. The museum will open its doors to the public immediately following the dawn service.
Auditorium programme. Anzac Day afternoon features a full programme of lectures, discussions and movies in the auditorium. It includes a wide range of topics, including; troopships of World War I, animals in war, and a discussion on researching family involvement in the wars.
For a full list of Anzac Day events at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, visit the venue's official website.
The Auckland War Memorial Museum has a Book of Remembrance on its website for people to post messages on to remember those who served and died in war.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
Online link: The Auckland War Memorial Museum has a Book of Remembrance on its website for people to post messages on to remember those who served and died in war.
