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Celebration of a Welsh hero - St Fagans: National History Museum marks Owain Glyndŵr Day

Ryan Giggs, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey and even Big Brother’s Glyn Wise are considered to be some of today’s Welsh idols, but this Saturday (16 September 2006) St Fagans: National History Museum will commemorate the contribution of one of yesterday’s great heroes, Owain Glyndŵr, who set up Wales’s first Parliament in Machynlleth, Powys in 1404.

St Fagans will dedicate a two-day event to the memory of Welsh rebel Owain Glyndŵr who fought for independence for Wales in the 15th century. A national leader, the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales rebelled against English rule and was considered to be an inspiration to Welsh people in his time.

A historical re-enactment at St Fagans will give visitors an insight into an early 15th-century encampment. There will also be special talks about the historical figure — a Welsh talk ‘Y Mab Darogan’ at 2 pm and ‘Glyndŵr: reality, myth and legend’ in English at 3.15 pm. Welsh poet Iwan Llwyd will also lead poetry workshops on the theme of Owain Glyndŵr.

Ken Brassil, History Education Officer, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales has also involved numerous schools across the country. He said:

“Owain Glyndŵr played such a key role in the development of Wales as a nation, we felt it was important to be able to give the younger generation an opportunity to delve into Welsh history on Owain Glyndŵr Day. It is celebrated on 16 September because it was on that day in 1400 he became Prince of Wales, and are delighted to welcome Welsh schools children to be a part of the commemoration.

“We will hold a videoconference with Ysgol Llanwddyn on the subject of Glyndŵr in Llanwddyn, and a film created by Cwmfelinfach Primary School Animation Club on Owain Glyndŵr, which won a prize at the Welsh Inheritance Competition, will be shown. The poet Iwan Llwyd will also be conducting a poetry workshop with children from Albert Road School.”

Entry to the Museum and the event is free thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.