Visitors were surprised to discover the Cardiff National Museum closed on Sunday. A poster stuck on the facade indicated the reasons: “(We must) ensure that the building meets all safety standards (…) Our team works with diligence to solve the identified problems and make the repairs and improvements necessary to guarantee the safety of all those who interact with the museum »»without mentioning a reopening date.
In a press release, the Museum Wales, the agency funded by the Welsh government which manages the seven national museums of the country, including that of Cardiff, said that the museum hoped to remedy the situation in the coming days. The incident would be linked to a mechanical problem in an area of the building and would not present any danger for staff, volunteers, visitors or collections.
For almost a year, the museum, like other cultural institutions in Wales, has faced a significant drop in public subsidies, which delays building maintenance work. Water leaks in the roof, flaws of the electrical system: the building, built in 1912, is not up to standard. Faced with concern about the future of the Welsh cultural sector, the government has allocated new grants but which are nevertheless insufficient.
Andrew RT Davies, Welsh conservative deputy and representative of the district of South Wales Central, said “Deeply concerned, by closing the museum, adding, the museum attracts many people to Cardiff and is an important attraction. Seedd’s work ministers (Siege of the Welsh Parliament) must urgently present measures to guarantee its reopening to the public as soon as possible. »»
The Cardiff National Museum, open to the public in 1927, has an eclectic collection ranging from botany to figurative art through archeology. His art collection presents many impressionist works and includes in particular an important collection of works by Honoré Daumier (1808-1879).
