Staff from the National Library of Wales visited pupils in Penllyn this week as part of an outreach project.
As part of the project, which is a partnership between the Library and Art UK, a maquette of the Tryweryn monument by John Meirion Morris was exhibited to all pupils at Ysgol Bro Tryweryn and Ysgol Ffridd y Llyn.
The sculpture was originally created as a ‘sketch’ design for a large permanent memorial which was to be located on the shores of Llyn Celyn, as a way of commemorating the drowning of Capel Celyn during the 1960s.
Although never erected, the statue continues to stimulate local and national discussion.
Older pupils from both schools joined for a special art workshop, led by experienced, daughter of John Meirion Morris.
During the afternoon, the statue and pupils were transported to Llyn Celyn.
Staff from the National Library’s Education Department displayed images of the Tryweryn Valley before its drowning, so that the pupils could understand the masterpiece within its wider historical context.
This activity is part of the Library’s strategy to reach out to communities across Wales, and support participation in cultural, educational and artistic activities by children and young people.
It is a significant contribution to the Library’s commitment to support the Welsh Government’s programme, Fusion: Creating opportunities through culture, and the project was supported by the Gwynedd Fusion Network, who assisted in selecting the schools for the project.
See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday