TV historian and broadcaster Michael Wood is to officially open the Viking: Rediscover the Legend exhibition at a special private preview on Thursday 29 March.
The Atkinson is the only North West venue to have the touring exhibition in partnership with the British Museum and the Yorkshire Museum.
Special guests have been invited to the opening of the event that sees the most significant Viking treasure hoards ever discovered in Britain on display for the first time together.
Star objects from the British Museum will feature alongside the Yorkshire Museum’s world-class collections and will be interpreted in new ways to give a fresh perspective on how Vikings shaped every aspect of life in Britain.
Visitors will see the most famous Viking collections in this country, including the Vale of York Viking Hoard, Cuerdale Hoard and the Bedale Hoard.
As well as featuring ground-breaking research by archaeologists and new discoveries by metal-detectorists which will challenge our perceptions of what it means to be Viking.
As part of the celebrations Micheal Wood will be deliving a special talk and book signing on Thursday 29 March at 3pm- Vikings! History and Legend with Michael Wood. Tickets are on sale for £10 and all proceeds are going to The Atkinson Development Trust. Tickets are selling fast!
Michael Wood TV Historian & broadcaster said:
“I’m really looking forward to being back in Southport for the Vikings launch. Its a brilliant exhibition with some really fascinating and unique items, including extraordinary treasures from Viking hoards buried in the North West-one or two discovered only very recently. The Vikings left a real imprint on our region, on its society, dialect and place-names.
In the Middle Ages, as St Patrick said, the Irish Sea was mare nostrum, ‘our sea’, and it was criss-crossed by Viking longships sailing to and from Dublin, Angelsey Cumbria and Chester with warriors and pirates, traders and travellers: no wonder then that south Lancashire and the Wirral were the setting for some of the most dramatic events of this turbulent time.
In my talk I’ll be talking about those events, weaving stories around some of the most exciting and intriguing exhibits.”
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member Communities and Housing said:
“The Liverpool City Region is truly proving to be a powerhouse for cultural tourism this year with Vikings and the Chinese Terracotta Army – both with such national and worldwide significance.This is a great time for both Sefton and the wider city regions’ tourism ambitions.
It’s also a testament to the wonderful Atkinson and its staff that we can host such incredible exhibitions such as the Vikings all year round.”
Viking: Rediscover the Legend opens to the public on Saturday 31 March with a special family open day. Come and see the 2 Viking Ships and Viking re-enactors showing you how life was like for the Vikings and making themed artifacts.
Viking: Rediscover the Legend is on display from Saturday 31 March – Saturday 7 July 2018. Tickets are on sale now online at theatkinson.co.uk via Box Office 01704 533333 or over the counter.
-ENDS-
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LISTING INFORMATION
Viking: Rediscover the Legend
Saturday 31 March – Saturday 7 July 2018
Open:
Monday –Saturday 10.30am – 4pm
EDITORS NOTES
For interviews or press tickets/photos please contact Emma Lloyd Emma.lloyd@sefton.gov.uk / 0151 934 2129
*Image attached
About The Atkinson
The Atkinson is Southport’s beautiful home for music, theatre, art, poetry, literature and history, right in the middle of Lord Street in Southport. The stunning 19th century buildings were refurbished in 2013 to create a really welcoming family friendly multi art-form venue with a strong contemporary feel.
The Atkinson offers an exciting and varied destination for families, cultural tourists and arts enthusiasts alike, with a full day and night time offer. Wander through the major exhibitions and see performances from some of the UK’s foremost musicians, actors, performers and companies, films, family activities and much more.
Find out about Sefton’s heritage with amazing tales of the sea, Red Rum, Dan Dare and Motor racing in the Museum and then ‘Discover Ancient Egypt’ in our Egyptology Gallery, this remarkable collection of archaeology was discovered by Mrs Goodison from Bootle and until 2015 had not been seen for over 40 years.
Our lovely gift shop is well worth a visit, with its handmade in Merseyside jewellery and crafts collection and Southport memorabilia and then relax and take in your day in our Bakery with a scrumptious café and coffee.
Posted on 12 March 2018 under General news
