National Library and Museum present Crown to the National Eisteddfod

Fri, 18 May 07 17:05:00

The specially commissioned crown will be presented to the Eisteddfod and Gorsedd at a meeting at the National Library in Aberystwyth on Friday 18 May.

The National Library and National Museum were both established by Royal Charter on 19 March 1907. The decision to sponsor the Crown was taken as part of both institutions’ centenary celebrations and also as a mark of respect and support for the National Eisteddfod. The Eisteddfod’s archive is kept at the National Library and includes the adjudications of the Crown and Chair poetry competitions, portraits of former Arch-druids, and some eisteddfodic chairs. The vast and interesting archive of Iolo Morganwg, who invented the Gorsedd of the Bards, is also kept at the Library.

By happy coincidence the campaign for a National Library was launched at a meeting at the National Eisteddfod of 1873. And the location of that Eisteddfod? Mold, Flintshire!

The crown was designed and made by Llanelli jeweller, Mari Thomas. Inspired by the pages and leaves of books representing the National Library’s collection, and the gold and markings of the Bronze Age Lunula neck-lace found at Llanllyfni near Caernarfon, which is one of the oldest pieces of jewellery kept in the National Museum Wales. Mari’s crown is made of 84 sections of silver and gold, all riveted and hinged together. The work took many months to complete.

The crown for last year’s National Eisteddfod in Swansea was also designed and made by Mari. She won the Eisteddfod Gold medal for Crafts and Design in 2003.

‘The National Library is very glad to donate this year’s Eisteddfod Crown as a celebration of our centenary and also of the Eisteddfod’s central part in Welsh cultural life. It’s one way of showing the long and fruitful cooperation which has existed between the Library and the Eisteddfod,’ said Andrew Green. Librarian at the National Library.

Robin Gwyn, Director of Communications at the National Museum Wales said. ‘National institutions are the bedrock of the national identity of any country. It’s very opportune that three of Wales’s most prestigious institutions should work together in this way.’

Hywel Wyn Edwards on behalf of the Eisteddfod said, ‘The National Eisteddfod is particularly glad that this year’s Crown has been donated by the National Library and National Museum in their centenary year. And I would like to thank them for their support. We hope that the Crown will find a worthy winner from the 29 persons who have competed in this year’s competition. The three institutions have enjoyed a strong and close relationship for a very long time and our hope is that this will continue into the second century of their existence. The Eisteddfod would like to greet a happy birthday to the Library and Museum.’

Crown designer, Mari Thomas said, ‘It’s a great honour once again to have been chosen to design the Eisteddfod Crown. With such a rich source of collections to Welsh history and heritage at both the National Library and National Museum Wales, designing the Crown was an inspiration as well as a challenge.’

Presenting the Crown:

2.30pm Friday 18 May

Council Chamber, The National Library of Wales

Aberystwyth

For More Information And Images:

 

Siôn Jobbins, NLW Press Office:  LlGC: 01970 632902  sij@llgc.org.uk

 

Links:

 

The National Library of Wales: www.llgc.org.uk

Museum Wales: www.museumwales.ac.uk

National Eisteddfod: www.eisteddfod.org.uk

Mari Thomas: www.marithomas.com

Lunula Necklace: www.museumwales.ac.uk/walespast/article.shtml