National Library to reopen doors to exhibition visitors

The National Library will reopen its doors to exhibition visitors this month, for the first time in over a year.

Exhibitions will be reopening from Monday 19 July, but limited numbers of visitors are able to enter the building and visits must be pre-booked with valid tickets presented at reception on arrival.

The Library contains many of Wales’ greatest cultural treasures, including the Laws of Hywel Dda and The White Book of Rhydderch, which includes the earliest version of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi.

Exhibitions will include The Literary World of Paul Peter Piech, a celebration of the American printmaker’s unique relationship with Wales and with literature.

Although best known for his striking political posters, a portion of his work is concerned with the literary world. He spent the last decade of his life in Porthcawl, where he continued to work and was deeply influenced by Welsh culture and the Welsh language. This exhibition celebrates his contribution to visual art in Wales, as well as the writers he portrayed.

Photographer Nick Treharne’s exhibition A Portrait of Wales features twenty images of modern Wales. Since 2018, Nick’s ‘vision’ has been to build a comprehensive portfolio of life in Wales.

The On Paper exhibition will showcase prints, watercolours, collages, sketchbooks and paintings by some of Wales’s most prominent artists. Topics range from explorations of political activism, racism and refugee life alongside more traditional subjects such as the human form and the natural world.

Throughout the summer visitors will also have an opportunity to view the Gregynog Gallery which has been recently refurbished.

‘Warm’

Pedr ap Llwyd, Chief Executive and Librarian of the National Library of Wales, said he was “very much looking forward to being able to welcome the public back to visit our exhibitions”.

“Although the Library has remained digitally open throughout the lockdown periods and readers have been able to return to the building to work, I am well aware that people are keen to be able to return to enjoy this wonderful building and its special collections.

“Although the circumstances will have to be different for safety reasons, the welcome will be as warm as ever. ”

The Library shop and Pendinas Café will also be open as part of the visit on production of a valid ticket. Full details of the other safety measures which will be in place can be viewed on the library’s website.