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Amgueddfa Cymru exhibition celebrates Wales in China

As part of celebrations surrounding Wales in Chongqing week 2013, a brand new exhibition on the history of Wales, Wales, Land of the Red Dragon, organized by Amgueddfa Cymru, opens at the China Three Gorges Museum in Chongqing, China on 4 March and will be on display until 30 June 2013.

 Wales, Land of the Red Dragon is an introduction to Wales and will feature many important objects from the wide-ranging collections of Amgueddfa Cymru. The unique character of Wales will be revealed through its culture and language, its history and landscape. Important themes include the many contributions made by Wales to global culture, such as the growth of modern industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, the development of the science of geology and the struggle for the rights of ordinary people. From the age of Roman occupation to the English conquest of the 13th century, from its leading role in the industrial revolution to its part in the evolution of the modern world, the story of Wales will be told in full.

The exhibition is part of the relationship between Amgueddfa Cymru and China Three Gorges Museum in the municipality of Chongqing, initiated by an agreement signed in 2008. It follows the highly successful exhibition From Steep Hillsides: Ancient Rock Carvings from Dazu, China held at National Museum Cardiff in 2011 and organized in collaboration with Dazu Rock Carvings Museum under the auspices of Chongqing Culture Bureau.

Highlights of the exhibition, supported by the Welsh Government, include

The ‘Castell Carn Dochan’ gold cup and cover discovered in north Wales in 1863 owned by Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn of Denbighshirea porcelain tureen and dish, made in China about 1760 - throughout the eighteenth century wealthy Europeans ordered dinner services from China, decorated with their family coat of arms and these services were important status symbols an elaborate Ornamental slate fan, made by a Welsh quarryman in about 1910.

Director General of Amgueddfa Cymru, David Anderson said, “We are delighted to be able to present this important exhibition on Wales to the Three Gorges Museum in China which is Amgueddfa Cymru’sopportunity to reciprocate following the successful Dazu exhibition here in Cardiff.

“International work is one of our main priorities and this partnership is an excellent way to promote our Amgueddfa Cymru collections in China and offer visitors the chance to tell the story of Wales and learn more about our nation’s rich and unique assets in culture, history and the environment. I hope it will inspire and educate visitors. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the remarkable progress of the Wales-Chongqing link.”

Huw Lewis, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, who will visit China in March and will officially open the exhibition, said “Our extensive and active relationship with Chongqing is very much valued within Wales, and this exciting exhibition is the latest chapter in that story. It will form one part of a week of events celebrating what Wales has to offer – not just our ancient culture but also a modern, dynamic nation”.

Amgueddfa Cymru operates seven museums across Wales including National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, the National Roman Legion Museum, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, the National Wool Museum, the National Slate Museum and the National Waterfront Museum.

Entry to the museums is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Government.