Monday 21 March 2016

12 reasons to visit The National Library of Wales this Easter

Here are 12 reasons to visit The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth this Easter.

On Easter Saturday and Monday, the library’s exhibitions and the shop will be open from 9.30am to 5pm with Caffi Pen Dinas open between 10am and 4pm but the Reading Rooms will be closed. The library will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

1. The library is home to the Gregynog Gallery, the largest art gallery in Wales and has held exhibitions by some of Wales’ most prominent artists, such as Shani Rhys James. The gallery will host a touring exhibition from Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Cymru, National Museum Wales, until May 28: ‘Efforts and Ideals: Prints of the First World War’, which includes contributions from well-known British artists such as Augustus John, Frank Brangwyn, William Rothenstein and C. R. W. Nevinson.

2. This Grade II listed building and gardens are truly a glorious site with stunning views over Cardigan Bay. It’s the national legal deposit library of Wales, holding 6.5 million books and periodicals, archives, portraits, paintings, topographical prints, manuscripts, maps and photographic images. With more than 30,000 rare manuscripts; the Peniarth Manuscripts Collection (in July 2010) was included on the UNESCO UK Memory of the World Register, giving the collection global recognition.

3. Listen to the sounds of Wales at The National Library of Wales, which is home to the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales. Listen to the music of Wales and watch classic Welsh children’s films and cartoons in the Drwm auditorium.

4. A programme of events is published four times a year featuring information about the library’s exhibitions, talks and presentations and general visitor information. Find out more about ‘Hunting Glyndŵr’ with Mike Parker (April 13) or enjoy ‘An evening of Antiques and Anecdotes’ with BBC’s Antiques Roadshow specialist Marc Allum (April 29). Most of the events are ticketed and these can be obtained online or by telephone.

5. Celebrate the centenary of one of Wales’ best loved writers, Roald Dahl. For the younger audience the library stages a show on Friday, April 1 aimed at children between the ages of seven to 11: Roald Dahl – The Big Friendly Author. A one man show which will offer a chance to be part of Dahl’s scrumdiddlyumptious world as one of his greatest fans introduces some of his most colourful characters. There will be two performances: one in Welsh at 10am and the other in English at 2pm. Admission by ticket at £5 per head to include drink and a cake.

6. Get Creative. In order to mark the Arts Council of Wales Get Creative weekend, the library has organised a lino print art workshop with Elin Vaughan Crowley, a print and textile artist from Bro Ddyfi. The workshop will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, April 2, 1.30pm to 4.30pm at a cost of £8 per head and is suitable for nine to 12 year olds. Limited tickets available from library shop.

7. Come on an adventure around the library’s exhibitions with the help of a brand new activity book, full of exciting activities, games and puzzles. Collect your free copy at reception. How about creating your own adventure in Hafan, our space for families and children? Create your own comic strip, write an adventure story and be creative with activities based on adventure on land, in the sky, under the sea and in space. Explore ‘Adventure is just a page away’ (March 3 to February 2017), an exhibition looking at adventure in Welsh and Anglo-Welsh literature. Bring back happy memories of childhood and encourage children to go on their own adventure.

8. Calling all Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, past and present. ‘Girlguiding Cymru: Pushing the Boundaries’ (April 23 to September 3) traces the history of Girlguiding Cymru from its establishment in 1910 to the present day. Look at how guiding has pushed the boundaries and impacted on the lives of girls over the years.

9. Discover the heart of Welsh culture. Uncover the treasures of Wales in a new exhibition in the Peniarth gallery. See the Black Book of Carmarthen, the earliest surviving manuscript written solely in Welsh. Wales is a land of song. Find out the story behind the National Anthem of Wales and learn to sing it too! Meet Mam Cymru, the mother of Wales, Katheryn of Berain, and find out more about your own family’s history.

10. Eat Welsh cakes and bara brith in Caffi Pendinas at the library. Sample local Welsh home-cooked food in the restaurant including cawl, Welsh cakes and bara brith. If the sun’s shining, pick up some sandwiches and have a picnic in the landscaped grounds of the library.

11. Go ‘Behind the Scenes’ with a free guided tour of the library, suitable for all ages, every Monday at 11am and Wednesday at 2.15pm. Book online or by call the library shop.

12. Indulge in a little retail therapy. The shop stocks quality, bespoke gifts, many by local artists, others of national acclaim, such as Mari Thomas, who has won numerous design awards. Lizzie Spikes’ and Valeriané Leblond’s work feature regularly on the shop’s shelves, showcasing work which demonstrates their love for their local Ceredigion landscape and its charm.

The site has ample car parking facilities and is a 10 minute walk from the town centre or alternatively the ’03 bus follows a circular route from the town centre, calling at the library and Aberystwyth University campus.

Make The National Library of Wales one of your destinations during 2016’s Year of Adventure.
The library is open form Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and on Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm.
Exhibitions are open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm. The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales is open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm. Caffi Pen Dinas is open from
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. The Library Shop is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm.

Ends

For more information please contact Elin-Hâf Williams, communications officer at the National Library of Wale, on Tel: 01970 632534

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