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 Swansea, local young people and adults have explored archive material to create new performances inspired by the 1984-85 miners' strike, Copperopolis and the area's rich industrial heritage.
The performances grew out of Snippets of Swansea, a four-day creative project held in August, which brought together young people and adults to explore local history through material from the Wales Broadcast Archive and South Wales Miners' Library. The newly-created performances will be shared with the public as part of the Your Library event on 23 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.
Stacey Brown, South West Wales Community Engagement Officer of the National Library of Wales said:
"The project was designed as a relaxed and creative way for people to try something new while making archive material feel accessible. All of the participants said they had learnt something new and felt more connected to their local history. For young people especially, having access to archive material in a creative way can make it a much more engaging educational tool, and we hope it will encourage them to explore further for themselves."
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 will also take part in dedicated workshops exploring Swansea's heritage and history as Copperopolis. The evening programme will feature the premiere of the community performances alongside special talks and entertainment by the Dulais Divas, including an appearance by Mal Pope and Roger Bell reflecting on Bonnie Tyler's formative years as an artist.
Come and discover the stories of Swansea, 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 South Wales Miners' Library, Swansea, on 23 September from 1pm to 7pm. Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
Category: News