Press Releases
Christmas past - Christmas present
Date:
2007-11-30How can you escape the high street rush, car parking trouble, carrying heavy shopping bags or weary feet this Christmas? No, we’re not talking about cyberspace, but a location that gives visitors the opportunity to experience a traditional Welsh Christmas in the company of friends and family.
The internet is supposed to ease the pressures of the festive season. St Fagans: NationalHistoryMuseum’s annual Christmas event, ‘Y Gwyliau – Christmas Nights’, held from 5 to 7 December 2007 (6-9 pm), also offers a trouble-free Christmas. So step away from your keyboard, leave the blaring Christmas pop songs behind and join a celebration of Christmas past and present at the Museum.
From the ancient Welsh tradition of Y Fari Lwyd, the horse’s skull, which will be re-enacted outside the tollgate, to a carol service at the 200-year-old Penrhiw Chapel and an old-fashioned fairground, Christmas Nights will provide an insight into some old seasonal traditions.
The romantic image of Father Christmas sitting by a wood fire actually comes alive at Cilewent and Abernodwydd Farmhouses. In fact, a number of the buildings at St Fagans, which span different historical periods, are decorated appropriately to look as they would have done when people lived in them.
The familiar smell of bread freshly baked by Derwen Bakehouse will linger into the evening and food and drink will be prepared by Digby Trout Restaurants, to give you energy as you browse the extensive selectionof gifts and Christmas cards at St Fagans’ shop or Gwalia Stores. Also visit Oakdale Workmen’s Institute for craft stalls, and even Blaenwaun Post Office for your stamps!
Christmas in Wales isn’t complete without music. A street organ will welcome visitors to the site, carol singers and bell ringers will add to the atmosphere and traditional brass bands will provide entertainment.
Juli Paschalis, Events Officer at St Fagans: National History Museumsaid:
“The Christmas season is typically a celebration for the local community. With a programme of events ranging from traditional Welsh cookery to Mirage Theatre Company and Jenny-any-dots’ magic show for children, Christmas Nights is an event that has been tailored for families from the surrounding area and beyond, to learn about ‘Christmas past’ and enjoy ‘Christmas present’ together.”
Visitors are encouraged to bring a torch to add to the Christmas atmosphere. Entry for adults is £6, children £3 and parking is free of charge. For further information or details about discounts for group bookings, please contact (029) 20573466.
St Fagans: NationalHistoryMuseum is part of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, which operates six other national museums across Wales. These are NationalWoolMuseum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Museum Cardiff, NationalRomanLegionMuseum, Caerleon, Big Pit: NationalCoalMuseum, Blaenafon, NationalWaterfrontMuseum and the NationalSlateMuseum, Llanberis.
Entry to all Amgueddfa Cymru – NationalMuseum sites is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.
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For filming and interview opportunities or for further information, please contact Catrin Mears, Communications Officer on (029) 2057 3486 / 07920 027067 or email catrin.mears@museumwales.ac.uk.
Other Christmas events at St Fagans include:
· 8 & 9 December (11 am-1pm & 2-3.30 pm) A Sustainable Christmas
· 22-23 December (10 am-5 pm) Christmas Trail
· 31 December (11 am-1 pm & 2-2.30 pm) Calennig