John Ruskin famously said that “Mountains are the beginning and end of all natural landscape”. For as long as the human spirit has aspired to higher places, mountains have been an inspiration for art, literature and religion. To explore these themes, the Mountain Heritage Trust is offering an afternoon symposium of inspirational lectures, short films and an interactive panel debate at this year’s Keswick Mountain Festival. Writers, artists, climbers and people who have made the inspiration of mountains the driving force in their lives, come together to look at how the Lake District Mountains have inspired generation after generation.
Hosted by Eric Robson “Mountains of Inspiration” will feature presentations on such fascinating characters as Ruskin and Coleridge, Wordsworth and Tom West right up to the modern dynasty of the Cooper family paintings. We ask why the Lake District has been such a spur to creative energy and thought over the past few centuries and continues to be so today. Can the inspiration of landscape and heritage be sustained and how does it contribute to our wellbeing? Richard Leafe, head of the Lake District National Park joins an eminent team which includes expert witnesses Charles Mitchell, Penny Bradbury, Mark Haywood, Pamela Woof and Terry Gifford.
Eric Robson will tell the story of Tom West and conduct discussions with each speaker on the development of the Lakes as one of the crucibles for the Arts in Britain, and indeed, the entire world. Spectacular images on screen and historic film will complement this stimulating symposium.
Date: Saturday 22 May
Place: Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
Time: 15:00 – 17:15
Tickets: £9.50
For more information
www.mountain-heritage.org
enquiries@mountain-heritage.org
Tel: 01768 840911