Virtual museums: an analytical review of foreign publications

Article is devoted to analytical review of the publications linked to the virtual museums. Virtual museums are a new cultural phenomenon that appeared thanks to information technology. The author shows that to the problem of virtual museums and to the definition of this term there are several approaches. Virtual museums can be considered as part of media culture, a kind of publication and a new form of communication. Foreign authors describe virtual museums as a phenomenon that goes far beyond the traditional sites of museology and museums. In additions now the virtual museums are widely presented in social media: social networks, blogs, etc.