LIFE OF LEISURE

Tue, 04 Oct 11 10:04:00

Rugby, movies, chess, eisteddfodau … how do you enjoy your leisure time? And how has leisure time in Wales changed over the decades if not centuries? That’s the subject of the big new exhibition at the National Library of Wales which will be officially opened by the world-renouned harpist, Catrin Finch, on Wednesday 12 October 2011.

 

‘Leisure is powerful because its activities and pursuits are truly everywhere, touching the lives of all human beings.. It gives us an insight into society and how society changes,’ said Carys-Mai Lloyd the exhibition’s curator. 

Among the wealth of collections at the Life of Leisure exhibition are:

● Collection of early films and adverts which were shown in cinemas in the first half of the C20th

● Welsh-based director, William Haggar’s silent films 

● QR codes which will enable visitors to discover more information about some of the exhibits through their mobile phones

● Items from the archive of Y Blew – the first modern Welsh-language pop group from 1967 

● Items from some of Wales’s leading societies and organised leisure – the Urdd, Merched y Wawr, Royal Welsh Agricultural Show 

● A Games Room – an opportunity to play chess (on a big scale!). OXO, Connect Four, Solitaire and Dominos. 

● The iconic painting of 'The Gogerddan Hunt' 

● Reference to an early, Welsh type of chess game, noted in the Dream of Macsen Wledig in the White Book of Rhydderch – one of the Library’s most famous and important manuscripts

● Selection of striking photographs of Welsh life by David Hurn

● Chuck Rapoport’s photos of the community of Aberfan relaxing in the weeks following the tragedy

And remember – if, during your visit to the exhibition you wish to relax, then you may take a seat in one of the deck-chairs located in the Gallery!

To enjoy a selection of images from the exhibition click on our exhibition’s page. www.llgc.org.uk/index.php;

Remember also to follow us on Twitter @NLWales and or our Facebook page and join our free mailing list and keep up-to-date with our exhibition programme, please e-mail post@llgc.org.uk or register online to receive our free e-newsletter

Life of Leisure
Official Opening in the company of Catrin Finch
6.30pm Wedesday, 12 October 2011
The National Library of Wales
Abersytwyth

For more information and images:

Sian Henson, NLW Press Office: 01970 632545  post@llgc.org.uk