Literature enthusiasts from across the world will once again gather in Dorset this summer for the 27th International Thomas Hardy Festival and Conference, celebrating the life and work of the county’s best-known author.
Running from 25th July to 1st August, the week-long event combines academic lectures with a wide-ranging programme of activities designed to appeal to Hardy readers of all levels, from scholars to those simply interested in Dorset’s literary heritage.
Alongside talks and discussions at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester, visitors can join guided walks, coach tours and visits to places closely associated with Hardy, including his birthplace at Hardy’s Cottage, Max Gate, Portland, Weymouth, Sherborne, Wolfeton House and Lulworth Cove.
Evening events will include music, drama and performances inspired by Hardy’s work, featuring The New Hardy Players, The Hardy Annuals, Tim Laycock and Friends, James Graham and a promenade performance by Wey Valley Academy.
Organised by the Thomas Hardy Society, the festival aims to promote Hardy’s work while celebrating the landscapes and communities that inspired his Wessex novels and poetry.
Tickets for the festival’s talks, tours and performances are available through the Thomas Hardy Society.
hardysociety.org
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