Gallery celebrates icons of Wales

In pictures: What it means to me be Welsh

A new gallery exploring what it means to be Welsh and to live in Wales today has been launched in Cardiff.

Oriel 1 (Gallery 1) at St Fagans: National History Museum, features objects, photos, film, music, art and more, on the theme "Belonging".

The artefacts range from an 18th Century harp and a traditional Welsh dresser to seats from the old Cardiff Arms Park and Gavin Henson's boots.

One exhibit allows visitors to create a digital lovespoon to email to a friend.

A section devoted to "national symbols" includes the Welsh flag "Cool Cymru" dress from the opening of the Welsh assembly, alongside a traditional costume.

A wooden Welsh dresser filled with ornaments and plates sits next to a modern version put together by Rhondda teenagers.

It contains their most treasured possessions, which include a skateboard and a Nintendo computer console to a Cardiff City key ring.

It was difficult to decide what to put in. There is so much stuff in the collection. Sioned Williams, curator

A group of young Muslim women from Swansea also contributed to the exhibition by creating a stained glass display.

A special section for children allows them to try on replicas of woollen Victorian clothes. They can also attempt to carry a baby "Welsh fashion" in a shawl.

At the entrance is a Wall of Languages illustrating the fact there are more than 80 languages spoken in Wales today.

There is also a juke box where visitors can listen to a variety of music that has been popular in Wales through the centuries.

One of the curators, Sioned Williams said: "It was difficult to decide what to put in . There is so much stuff in the collection. It helped to have the theme of 'belonging'.

"St Fagans is traditionally known for its houses. We wanted to include more people to reflect Wales as it is today."

Visitors to the gallery will be encouraged to share their views on how the languages they speak, their family and friends, their roots and beliefs influence who they are.

Children from Ninian Park Primary School sang and performed samba music at the gallery's official launch, which was also attended by poet of Wales Gwyn Thomas and Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens.

Oriel 1, which replaces St Fagans' old material culture gallery, will be open to the public from 31 March.