Welsh museums festival aims to 'amaze'

Museums across Wales are hoping that people will "be amazed" at the collections on offer as they stage the first Welsh Museums Festival.

Special events, talks, workshops and behind-the-scenes access are being promised over the next eight days.

David Anderson, director general of National Museum Wales, said museums provide people with "affordable, inspiring and uplifting things to do".

The festival coincides with Cardiff's hosting of a UK museums conference.

It is the first time Wales has hosted the Museums Association Conference since 1997.

Mr Anderson said he was delighted that museums all around Wales would be able to showcase their work under the theme "Be Amazed".

"Museums are more than just a collection of buildings and objects," he said.

"They provide people with affordable, inspiring and uplifting things to do and places to go, on their own or with their families and friends, which can help improve their quality of life."

Dozens of town museums and galleries across Wales will join national museums in the celebrations.

Deputy Culture Minister Ken Skates welcomed the festival, saying museums were "an integral part of our communities in Wales".

"As well as serving local people, they also contribute to the economy through tourism," he added.

Visitors are being urged to share their favourite museums, memories, stories and photos on social media by using the hashtags #welshmuseumsfest and #gwylamgueddfeydd.

The festival runs until 12 October.