Museums, Nations, Identities: Wales and its National Museums

A recent request by a Welsh MP that Wales be represented in the Union Jack1 illustrates a new confidence in the idea of Welshness, and the prompt concession by the Culture Minister to consider this change indicates the importance of Welsh national identity in British politics today. Mason's study of Welsh national museums is thus a timely addition to the literature on Wales and nationhood, and makes an important contribution to our understanding not only of Welsh nationalism made explicit within museums but also to the whole concept of nationalism within the UK. This book goes beyond the consideration of the cultural discourse around one set of practices – the establishment and maintenance of national museums in Wales – and examines a range of interesting issues about the nation and culture in general. Mason examines the macro-level of governmental and media debates and the micro-level of institutional collecting policies,...