People’s Collection Wales / Casgliad y Werin Cymru, a brand new site that uses pioneering technology to tell the story of Wales has been launched Minister for Heritage Alun Ffred Jones at this year’s National Eisteddfod.
The People’s Collection Wales is a contemporary, interactive and bilingual online experience dedicated to the history of Wales and its people. It is a rich cultural and social treasure trove that charts the human story of Wales with an archive of reminiscences, photographs, video and audio for future generations. These include film from the middle of the last century of the Ebbw Vale Steelworks, the site of the National Eisteddfod, along with the history of the Gorsedd, its ceremonies and regalia, including images, video and audio clips of interviews with Bards, and even 3D photographs of medals awarded in 1789.
The site brings the story to life using GPS technology that allows the viewer to travel over the landscape of Wales and travel back and forth in time, while viewing artefacts in 3D. And the free site will build over time as contributions create people’s own personal collections.
The People’s Collection Wales is a Welsh Assembly Government One Wales initiative that celebrates Wales’ rich cultural and social heritage. It has been wholeheartedly welcomed by a number of well known Welsh faces including Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys, who describes People’s Collection Wales as "a fantastic idea for many reasons, where I can find the places I grew up with", international harpist Catrin Finch, Gavin and Stacey actor Steffan Rhodri, British Lion Stephen Jones, broadcaster Eddie Butler who claims "it will reinvigorate the spirit of independent Wales", and celebrated Welsh chef Bryn Williams of Odette’s, who will use the site to "discover information about Welsh ingredients and the history of Welsh cooking".
Alun Ffred Jones said: "This is a proud moment launching a website that truly encapsulates the social history of Wales that is written by its people. Many of us are aware of the key events in Welsh history, but you only truly feel that connection with the past when it is told by its communities. That is what People’s Collection Wales has achieved. It will widen the understanding of our cultural heritage.
"As well as launching the site to the world, we also invite further contributions and material from the people of Wales both at home and across the world to ensure the site evolves as time goes on."
Archive material has been drawn from a number of sources including Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, the National Library of Wales, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, and a number of individuals across Wales have already come forward with archive material. As well as being of interest to the people of Wales, it will prove a valuable tool for the tourism industry in Wales, and as a source of learning for schools and colleges.
Mr Jones added: "People’s Collection gives a great boost to the tourism industry in Wales, allowing visitors to get a real feel for the country they will visit, and to access information and stories relevant to the site they are visiting through their mobile phones".
The advanced technology- lead by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales- allows people to pick up the site on their mobile phones, and contribute to the site from remote locations by uploading images or information for all to see.
The site has been developed by Welsh company Sequence in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government, led by programme manager Rheinallt Jones, with the involvement of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, the National Library of Wales, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, the BBC and Llafur: The Welsh People’s History Society.
www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk