Natalia Majluf

In 1988, Natalia Majluf worked as a volunteer at MALI. She was 21 years old. Seven years later, and having obtained a master's degree in Art History from New York University, she came back as a curator. Since 2002, she is in charge of the museum that, under her management, has been considered among the best in Latin America. Natalia knows it is necessary to drive culture in our country as it is key for the social development of all communities.

Why is it important for our children to have a good museum in their city?

Education is not only given in the classroom, quality education is a much broader process that has to be given in different instances and places, and museums are key. In them, the public in general and children in particular can approach artistic manifestations to which they would not otherwise have access.

You have said that, “lack of culture is also a form of poverty”.

We think that access to culture is a privilege of those who have more resources, that it is not part of our basic needs. I believe that access to culture is a right of all citizens, is part of what the State has to offer to citizens. In other words, museums are a public service, a factor of cultural development.

That is why in 1954 a group of Peruvians joined and founded the MALI, so that the city the country has an art museum.

A place where the best of the Peruvian art is accessible to the general public.

It is happening, as much of your visitors come from the farthest parts of the city.

The Museum’s public is very wide and diverse, although traditionally we have been closer to young people from Northern Lima. Unlike other museums, we serve mainly the local public. Many families visit us, and the Enel Week which has been held for several years now has played an important role in that: it offers free admission during a week that is key to the recreation of Peruvians (the National Holidays week).

“Here (at the museum), we are all are equal; that is the basis for the construction of citizenship”

In 2016, the “Enel Week” in MALI received 40,000 visits.

It is a record. I believe no other cultural institution in the country has ever managed to capture that amount of visitors in one week; and that edition was held when the second floor where we are now was not open.

As a director, how do you feel about the results achieved?

Very happy to have been part of this project. It is the result, as I always say, of a collective effort, because it involves the city, the Government, the citizens and the public that comes to visit us. And it is all very motivating because it shows that together we can build a better life.

As a child, your parents took you to museums in different parts of the world. Today you are making it possible for families with limited resources to know Peruvian art. You making the country a better place.

I am aware that I had a privileged childhood, that most Peruvian had no access to the same kind of education. I also am convinced that museums are places that open doors to many things in life, not only because they allow us to learn from our country’s art, archaeology and culture, but also because they are places of reflection.

They are not the cold place that many believe.

They stopped being a cold place a long time ago! In our country, it took a little longer to renew them though. As a result, several generations have not visited the museums of Lima yet. There is a very great potential, because we have to incorporate visits to museums to our daily life.

One of your current exhibitions on the Moche Culture has a great reception, as it allows the public to carry out several activities.

Yes, the activities conducted within visits are increasingly important. We have workshops for children and families, and there will be free admission to those who visit us in the Edelnor Week.

So MALI is a place to have fun.

It is! A place to look, to learn, to have fun.

What do you like most about your job?

Everything (laughs)... I like that I am in touch with my career which is History of Art. I love working in the production of exhibitions, books, in the acquisition of works for the collection...

Looking at some picture can change someone's life?

I think so, just like a book or a movie. Some artworks touch us or make us think, some other we relate to for some reason... That is why a life close to culture is a richer life.

Even if you live in a very large house or a very modest one.

Once at the Museum, everyone has the same access. Here we are all equal; that is the basis for the construction of citizenship.

Thanks to Enel Week’s free admission, MALI becomes a democratic space par excellence.

That is when we reach our highest point of accessibility. While we have free days throughout the year ―because our job is to reach as many people as possible― the Enel Week is a fabulous opportunity to get what we normally could not.

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