The National Library of Wales is proud to present Aberfan Disaster 1966, a new exhibition exploring the history, impact and legacy of the Aberfan Disaster of 21 October 1966.
Drawing on the Library's unique collections, the exhibition brings together photographs, archives, maps, artwork, publications and personal testimonies that reveal how the tragedy affected not only the people of Aberfan, but communities across Wales and around the world.
Alongside the historical record, the exhibition explores how Aberfan responded to tragedy through collective action, mutual support and remembrance. It highlights the role of local organisations, fundraising efforts and community-led initiatives in shaping the village's future, creating a powerful story of resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable loss.
Visitors will see powerful photographs by Philip Townsend, David Williams and I.C. "Chuck" Rapoport, capturing both the immediate aftermath of the disaster and the resilience shown in the weeks and years that followed. The exhibition also features international messages of sympathy and support, records of the Aberfan Disaster Fund, publications documenting efforts to rebuild the village, and material illustrating the enduring connection between Aberfan and the community of Lara, Australia.
Also on display is the unique three-sheet Ordnance Survey plan produced for the public inquiry, contemporary newspaper coverage from around the world, and architectural drawings for the Aberfan Community Centre and Cemetery Memorial.
Highlights include material from the Karl Jenkins Archive, including his personal copy of Cantata Memoria: For the Children – Er mwyn y Plant (2016). Written to mark the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster, the work features a libretto by Mererid Hopwood and was performed and recorded by an internationally renowned cast including Bryn Terfel, Elin Manahan Thomas and Catrin Finch.
The exhibition also showcases the National Library's recent Book of Remembrance project. Funded by the Welsh Government and delivered in partnership with the Aberfan Memorial Charity, the project created new copies of the Bethania Aberfan Book of Remembrance, ensuring that the 116 children and 28 adults who lost their lives continue to be remembered and honoured for generations to come.
The exhibition will be presented in the Library's newly developed exhibition space, which will host a programme of changing seasonal exhibitions. The space creates new opportunities to share stories from the National Library's rich archives and collections, bringing more of Wales's national memory and cultural heritage into public view.
Through unique material from the National Library's collections, the exhibition offers an opportunity to reflect on one of the most significant events in modern Welsh history, while celebrating the compassion, resilience and determination that helped shape Aberfan's future.
Aberfan Disaster 1966 opens at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, on 10 October. Admission is free.
Category: News