The Australian National Maritime Museum is bringing the world of the Viking Age to life with a series of public events and activations presented in conjunction with its major international exhibition, Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard.
Running at the Museum from 28 May to 11 October, the exhibition marks the first Sydney presentation of one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the century: more than 90 rare Viking-age artefacts buried around AD 900 and discovered in southwest Scotland in 2014.
Across August and September, visitors can deepen their experience of the exhibition through live music, storytelling, guided tours by Viking reenactors, hands-on object encounters, craft and trade demonstrations, a contemporary design market and a jewellery-making workshop inspired by the Hoard's extraordinary objects.
Weekend Viking activations — every weekend in August, 11am-3pm Every weekend in August, the Museum will host a lively program of bard music, storytelling and guided exhibition tours led by Viking reenactors. Visitors can also explore hands-on Viking touch trolleys and encounter historical craft and trade demonstrations designed to reveal the skills, materials and imagination of the Viking Age.
Modern Artifacts: A Contemporary Design Market — Sunday 16 August, 11am–4pm Presented alongside Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard, Modern Artifacts is a curated contemporary design market from SquarePeg Studio. The free event brings together jewellers, ceramicists, object makers and designers whose work celebrates the enduring relationship between people, materials and making.
Amulets and Adornment — Saturday 12 September, 10am–4pm In this hands-on workshop, participants will take inspiration from the forms, textures, patterns and symbolism of the Galloway Hoard before creating their own wearable contemporary object under the guidance of SquarePeg Studios. The workshop begins with a guided tour of the exhibition and introduces jewellery-making techniques such as metal stamping, roller printing, texture making, light forming and finishing.
Participants may create a pendant, cuff or open band ring using copper, brass or aluminium, with the option to upgrade to silver for an additional fee. No previous experience is required. Places are limited and bookings are essential.
Australian National Maritime Museum Director and CEO Daryl Karp AM said the public program invited audiences to connect with the exhibition through creativity, performance and hands-on learning.
'The Galloway Hoard is a remarkable window into a period when the sea linked communities across Europe and beyond through trade, travel and cultural exchange,' Ms Karp said. 'These activations give visitors new ways to encounter the stories behind the objects — through music, making, movement and the timeless human urge to create and adorn.'
Buried for more than a thousand years, the Galloway Hoard brings together silver, gold, rare organic materials and objects sourced from as far as Central Asia. Conservation and research led by National Museums Scotland have revealed details hidden since the Hoard was first buried, including intricate decoration, inscriptions and rare surviving textiles.
The exhibition invites visitors to explore who may have buried these treasures, what the objects reveal about belief, power and survival, and how maritime routes connected people, materials and ideas across the Viking-age world.
Event details
Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour Open daily, 10am–4pm, until Sunday 11 October
Weekend activations Every weekend in August from 11am to 3pm Live bard music, storytelling, guided tours by Viking reenactors, touch trolleys and historical craft and trade demonstrations.
Modern Artifacts: A Contemporary Design Market Sunday 16 August, 11am–4pm Free event. Bookings via Eventbrite
Amulets and Adornment Saturday 12 September, 10am–4pm $125 Places limited Bookings via Eventbrite
