CROWDS of people and an array of cameras gathered at the National Library of Wales on Wednesday to witness Cerys Matthews open a new exhibition.

The singer, songwriter, author and broadcaster travelled to Aberystwyth to open Arthur and Welsh Mythology, which has been organised as part of Wales’ Year of Legends campaign.

Cerys Matthews, 2017 Year of Legends ambassador, said: “It is my pleasure to officially open the Arthur and Welsh Mythology exhibition.

“As a 2017 Year of Legends ambassador, I was delighted to see that the library had chosen the Welsh Government’s theme for this year by staging this exhibition, and as a result, giving an opportunity to see some of the nation’s outstanding collections that represents our heritage.

“I encourage you to visit this beautiful location on Cardigan Bay.”

Aberystwyth was once home to Cerys, as she explained.

“I moved to Aberystwyth when I was 17 and I worked as a waitress in the Seabank Hotel. I wasn’t a particularly good one!

“But I would look up the hill to the National Library and admire the building.

“Conservation and free access to the public is important.”

Of the exhibition, she said: “It is a pure pleasure to see The Black Book of Carmarthen, The Book of Aneirin and The White Book of Rhydderch on display, and it is utterly alluring to think of the people who wrote them.

“It’s not just what we can learn about them, but also what they can teach us about the world today.

“I like to think of books as weapons of mass instruction, so take up your books, arm yourselves and let’s run.”

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