King Arthur exhibition to be held in Rennes, Brittany

The cultural hub of Rennes, the Champs Libres (the Musée de Bretagne, the Bibliothèque de Rennes Métropole and the Espace des Sciences) launches the first ever major exhibition on the legend of King Arthur on 15 July 2008. The exhibition will stay open until 04 January 2009.

In partnership with The French National Library the exhibition traces the cultural history of the Arthurian myth and has been nominated as an "Exhibition of National Interest" by the Ministry of Culture.

Regarded as one of the most important literary and artistic subjects in Europe, the legend of King Arthur has spanned across many generations. His prodigious feats, romantic conquests and quest of the Holy Grail have been the subjects of debate and filled the imagination of historians and the general public alike.

In Brittany, the shadow of King Arthur has been cast over the forest of Broceliande for centuries. His amazing story inspires films, television programmes and children's literature.

The exhibition of the Champs Libres explores the life of King Arthur, an exceptional literary character who entwines magic and love with war. The exhibition goes beyond the historical background touching upon ancient sources and contemporary adaptations to evoke the birth and development of a legend and the universality of a myth.

The Champs Libres presents more than 200 works linked to the adventures of the King and his knights in three temporary exhibition rooms on two floors of more than 10,000 sqm. Many historical and iconographic documents (manuscripts, rare books, paintings, pieces of art and film posters etc.) illustrate the cultural influence of Arthurian legends.

Among them is a treasure, carefully preserved by the Bibliothèque de Rennes Métropole; one of the oldest, illustrated, manuscripts of the stories of the Round Table.

This is the first joint activity to be undertaken by the three partners of the Champs Libres (the Musée de Bretagne/Breton Museum, the Bibliothèque de Rennes Métropole/Rennes Library, and the Espace des Sciences/Science Centre) putting together an exhibition which is intended for all ages, especially families.

At the same time as the opening of the exhibition, the University of Rennes 2 will host the 22nd Congress of the International Arthurian Society, to be attended by the greatest Kind Arthur specialists in the world, from 15 to 20 July 2008.

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