The chance to celebrate the 200th birthday of a treasured institution comes around fairly rarely. But today, in the very heart of London, the champagne corks will be popping as the National Gallery, one of Britain’s great cultural jewels, hits that venerable age.
It will put on a Big Weekend of celebrations, kicked off by a spectacular illumination show projected onto the front of the famous neo-classical building in Trafalgar Square from 9pm tonight. There will also be concerts — masterminded by Jools Holland — workshops, talks and tours, as well as tales from the gallery’s storied history.
