We're looking forward to welcoming visitors to our stand at Eisteddfod y Garreg Las with a full programme of activities throughout the week. We'll have plenty of activities for all ages to enjoy.
From performances and interactive experiences to talks and opportunities to learn something new, there'll be lots happening throughout the week.
On the stand
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST
11:30 Meet the Curator - Our History, Our Language, in the AI age with Jason Evans and Dot Davies
An opportunity to meet our Open Data Manager and Artificial Intelligence expert, Jason Evans, as he chats with Dot Davies about developing new Welsh-language digital content at the Library and exploring AI for data enrichment, thinking about new ways of working and new ways of accessing information about Welsh culture.
15:00 Huw Stephens on all things Super Furry Animals
Come along for a very special talk with broadcaster Huw Stephens about the Super Furry Animals. Looking back on their amazing career, Huw will use items from the Library's collections to trace the history of their career.
A unique opportunity to celebrate the Super Furry Animals through talk, music and treasures from the archive.
SUNDAY 2 AUGUST
11:30 Meet the Curator – Maps, Power and Place with Ellie King
Come and learn about the power of maps with our Assistant Map Curator, Ellie King.
Most of us are familiary with using a map to find our way, but there can be more to a map than that. Join Ellie for an introduction to some of the most significant and unusual maps from our collections and find out more about maps, power and place.
MONDAY 3 AUGUST
11:30 Meet the Curator – The Conservator's Craft: Before the Decline, After the Treatment with Julian Evans
Step into the magical world of conservation with our Conservation Officer, Julian Evans. Come along and learn about the art of bookbinding, the fine work of repairing collections and the specialist techniques used to protect the national collections.
16:00 On the screen - Crowning Ceremony
TUESDAY 4 AUGUST
11:30 Meet the Curator – Through the Eyes of Manuscripts with Lucie Hobson and Twm Ebbsworth
Join curator Lucie Hobson for an introduction to our manuscript collection with Twm Ebbsworth. Learn more about the Eisteddfod's tradition in Wales through items from our collections and the history of Cardigan's first Eisteddfod as recorded in medieval chronicles.
14:30 Book launch: Cartref i Sbarc y Ddraig
Come along for the launch of Manon Steffan Ros's adaptation of the book Cartref i Sbarc y Ddraig by Michael Sheen and Jess Webb, published in collaboration with the charity Shelter Cymru.
WEDNESDAY 5 AUGUST
11:30 Meet the Curator – Under the Covers – the G J Williams Collection with Eluned Gramich and Twm Ebbsworth
Come and learn about our print collection in the company of Assistant Librarian and author, Eluned Gramich as she chats with Twm Ebbsworth about one special collection of books amid the eight million on the Library's shelves. Dating from the 1590s onwards, come and hear the story of G J Williams' collection which includes hundreds of Welsh books and the secrets beyond print.
15:00 Gorsedd Cymru
The National Library's volunteering scheme has created a database of individuals who were honoured to the Gorsedd of Wales at the National Eisteddfod. The project was created in response to regular enquiries from families and researchers seeking to find out when and where individuals were admitted to the Gorsedd.
The data was collected from the National Eisteddfod's programmes and the Lists of Gorsedd Officers and Members in the collections of the National Library of Wales. As part of the Library's Volunteering Programme, volunteers browsed these sources to create a comprehensive dataset recording details of the ordinations, which is now available on the Gorsedd Cymru website.
The website provides information on bardic names, locations, types of membership and individuals' contributions to Welsh culture.
Meet one of those volunteers, Owen Watkin to hear more about the work, and some of the interesting stories that emerged along the way, in a session chaired by Mari Grug, President of this year's Eisteddfod.
All Day Sharing Archival Secrets
A special opportunity for one day only for you to share your archival secrets with Dr Maredudd ap Huw.
Many of us have old family papers, books or photographs at home and aren't sure what to do with them. Some of them may have historical or cultural importance beyond your family. Come and visit our stand to share your archival treasures with Dr Maredudd ap Huw, to learn more about what you have discovered and to get expert advice if they are suitable for donating to the Library's collections.
THURSDAY 6 AUGUST
11:30 Meet the Curator – More than a leaflet – Recording the History of Elections with Rob Phillips and Dot Davies
Come along and meet Rob Phillips from the Welsh Political Archive as he chats with Dot Davies about the Library's Political Ephemera Collection. Who would have thought that the little leaflets that come through the door at election time are of such importance? But let's hear about how the Library collects them and why; and how these colorful flyers can tell the story of an election in the future.
15:00 Mari Mathias in Session
Come and take a break and enjoy a music session with Mari Mathias
FRIDAY 7 AUGUST
11:30 Meet the Curator – The Library's Journey to Create a Sustainable Future with Judith Musker Turner and Elin Rhys
Join Judith Musker Turner, the Library's Climate Action Programme Lead as she discusses with Elin Rhys how the Library, and the culture sector are responding to the climate and nature crises. Come and hear about what has been achieved so far, our work to decarbonise and how this has sparked the ambition to lead and support this work in the culture sector
16:00 On the screen - Chairing Ceremony
16.30 DJ Don Leisure
After a busy week of enjoying the Eisteddfod field, come and relax on our stand in a session with DJ Don Leisure.
On the Maes
On the Maes
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST
13:00 Archive: Through local eyes (SINEMAES)
Come and enjoy a collection of local clips from the National Library of Wales' Screen and Sound Archive, and people's reaction to watching them for the first time
SUNDAY 2 AUGUST
12:00 Seven Decades of the Eisteddfod: 1926-1996 (SINEMAES)
Come and enjoy a selection of clips from the National Library of Wales' Screen and Sound Archive that give a taste of the festival over the years, from the preparations and competing, to the well-known and ordinary people. The field, the miri and the misdemeanours, in an entertaining journey through the annual madness that takes place in a field!
15:00 Archive: Through local eyes (SINEMAES)
A collection of local clips from the National Library of Wales' Screen and Sound Archive, and people's reaction to viewing them for the first time
WEDNESDAY 5 AUGUST
11:30 Gwaddol Gwenallt, ganrif ers ei gadair gyntaf (Gwenallt's Legacy, a century since his first chair) (CYMDEITHASAU 2)
A century since being chaired at the 1926 Swansea National Eisteddfod, Gruffydd Rhys Davies, a PhD student at Aberystwyth University, will discuss his research on the cultural memory of the Welsh about one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century, and the contribution of the archival collections of the National Library of Wales to shaping that memory. In the second part of the session, there will be a panel discussion with Dr Bleddyn Huws and Professor Mererid Hopwood, chaired by Dr Maredudd ap Huw.
12:00 Archive: Through local eyes (SINEMAES)
Come and enjoy a collection of local clips from the National Library of Wales' Screen and Sound Archive, and people's reaction to watching them for the first time
THURSDAY 6 AUGUST
12:00 The Life and Work of Mary Lloyd Jones (Y LLE CELF)
As we celebrate a life of colourful creativity with our exhibition Mary Lloyd Jones: Layers (Gregynog Gallery), join the Library’s Art Curator Morfudd Bevan, as she explores the life and work of this unique artist.
13:30 From the Archive with Mari Mathias (TŶ GWERIN)
Come and enjoy 'Caneuon y ffordd Aur' with Mari Mathias. Based on research in the archive of the National Library of Wales this collection of folk tunes and ballads old and new is inspired by the history of the wool industry, the spiritual legends of the Preseli, the journey of the river Teifi and talking and moving bluestones.
15:30 Networking Session (WELSH GOVERNMENT STAND)
Wales culture and climate: How does culture inspire communities to take action for the climate and nature?
FRIDAY 7 AUGUST
15:00 Archive: Through local eyes (SINEMAES)
Come and enjoy a collection of local clips from the National Library of Wales' Screen and Sound Archive, and people's reaction to watching them for the first time.
SATURDAY 8 AUGUST
15:00 Archive: Through local eyes (SINEMAES)
Come and enjoy a collection of local clips from the National Library of Wales' Screen and Sound Archive, and people's reaction to watching them for the first time
With less than a week to go, we can't wait to welcome you all.