The National Library of Wales is connecting communities with the stories, memories and collections preserved on their behalf through its Your Library tour, inspiring people to discover, explore and bring them to life in new and creative ways.
In Conwy, local history will take centre stage through a day of talks, archive material, creative activities and opportunities to explore how the town's past continues to shape its identity today.
One of the event's highlights, Recreating Conwy on the Big Screen, will explore how archive footage is helping to inspire a new stop-motion animated feature set in the town. Working in partnership with TAPE Community Music and Film, the Wales Broadcast Archive has supported the development of Below the Waves, a film that follows Ffion and Nain as they leave Conwy docks in search of mermaids. During the session, the creative team will share work in progress and reveal how archive material is being used to shape characters, locations and sets.
This creative exploration of Conwy's heritage will be shared with the public as part of the Your Library event on 25 September.
Through a network of Clip Corners across Wales, people can access and explore screen, sound and archive collections from the National Library, discovering stories that connect them to their local history and the wider story of Wales.
More than 1,500 items connected to Conwy are already available through People's Collection Wales, contributed by individuals, community groups and organisations, helping to preserve and share the stories of the area.
Dafydd Tudur, Head of Engagement at the National Library of Wales said:
"Conwy's history belongs to the people of Conwy. Although collections and treasures that record that history are cared for by institutions such as the National Library of Wales and Conwy Culture Centre, we want people to see that they can be part of it and contribute to it too.
History is all around us, often hidden and waiting to be discovered. By combining local knowledge, public and personal collections and new technology, we have an opportunity to preserve those stories and share them with new audiences.
I'd like people to go home feeling that the National Library of Wales is their library too, and that it can help them discover, understand and share their own history."
The evening discussion, If These Walls Could Speak: Discovering Conwy's History, will take a broader look at the town across the decades, focusing particularly on Conwy's more recent past and the twentieth century.
Broadcaster Maxine Hughes, who is from Conwy, will join Dafydd Tudur for the discussion, alongside local historian Morgan Ditchburn. Together, they will explore material from People's Collection Wales, personal collections and local knowledge to uncover stories from the town's past. The session will also examine research into local women who signed the 1923 Peace Petition and highlight the opportunity for people in Conwy and the surrounding area to access the Wales Broadcast Archive directly through Conwy Culture Centre.
Free drop-in activities will take place throughout the day, including opportunities to explore Watch and Listen, the Wales Broadcast Archive, meet People's Collection Wales, search the Women's Peace Petition and experience Ol | Haunts, an immersive virtual reality experience inspired by Wales's rich cultural heritage and collections. National Library staff and partners will be on hand throughout the day to chat with visitors, answer questions and help people discover the collections, digital resources and services available through the Library.
Schools and community groups will also take part in dedicated sessions, while visitors can enjoy refreshments, local entertainment by Maelgwn Male Voice Choir and opportunities to engage with the stories, memories and heritage that have shaped Conwy.
Come and discover the stories of Conwy, experience new performances inspired by local history and explore the collections that connect communities across Wales. Then see where those stories can take you next through your local Clip Corner and the National Library's digital collections.
Your Library takes place at the Conwy Culture Centre, on 25 September from 1pm to 7pm. Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
Category: News