Inaugural Wales Map Symposium looks at how maps have shaped the nation

On the 27 May 2016, Carto-Cymru – The Wales Map Symposium 2016: Shaping the Nation will take place at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Carto-Cymru – The Wales Map Symposium 2016: Shaping the Nation is hosted by The National Library of Wales in association with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales and will evaluate the role of maps in both depicting and creating the nation both as an entity on the ground and also as a perception in the minds of people.  It will explore how maps have shaped the nation through looking at the borderland; the geography of the Welsh language; and the achievements of Renaissance Welsh cartographer, Humphrey Llwyd.

This event will share the wealth of cartographic material available to researchers at The National Library of Wales and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.
Finally it will show how innovative technologies such as augmented and virtual reality are being used to depict sites and landscapes of the past.

Pedr ap Llwyd, Director of Collections and Public Programmes said:

“It is fitting that this map symposium is held in the National Library of Wales the home to  the largest map collection in Wales, and one of the largest in the British Isles and I’m confident it will offer us the opportunity to showcase the wealth of our map collection which belongs to the people of Wales

Presentations include:

Mapping the Marches: Marginal Places and Spaces of Cartographic Innovation
Keith Lilley, Professor of Historical Geography, Queen’s University Belfast

Shapes of Scotland: Maps, history and national identity
Chris Fleet, Map Curator, National Library of Scotland

The Military Map Collection of George III: a cartographic record of European wars,
empires won and empires lost
Yolande Hodson, Map historian; cataloguer of King George III’s Military Maps in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle

Ail-ddychmygu daearyddiaethau’r iaith Gymraeg/Re-imagining geographies of Welshness
Rhys Jones, Head of Geography & Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University

Humphrey Llwyd and the map of Wales
Huw Thomas, Map Curator, National Library of Wales

Maps and mapping at the Royal Commission; putting the past in its place
Tom Pert, On-line Development Manager, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

Huw Thomas, Map Curator at The National Library of Wales added:

“This is the first time we have held such an event, we’ve had a really positive response and we are looking forward to a great day with some really excellent speakers.”