Gerard Manley Hopkins International Literary Festival: Invitation to Graduate Students

The Hopkins Festival has been described “as the best literary festival in Ireland” (Robert Welch: Editor, The Oxford Companion to Irish Literature), and it is indeed a festival with a vision. It reflects not only Hopkins’s poetical genius, but also represents, at a high level, the whole range of his interests and accomplishments. We do not aim to be a narrow gathering of specialists, but wish to broaden our objectives to include not only poetry readings and lectures but also music (including both classical and traditional music concerts), film, workshops, field trips and convivial evenings in our Festival Club.

The Committee is happy to announce that 2022 promises to be an exceptional year. From Saturday July 22nd to Thursday July 28th 2022, international and Irish participants will be heading for Newbridge. At least 20 countries will be represented and as well as Hopkins enthusiasts, young people and students (there is also a parallel youth programme), there will be a strong presence of leading Irish writers, artists and scholars.

The aims of the Irish Gerard Manley Hopkins Society Ltd. are:

▪ to explore and to give a forum for the writings of Victorian poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins

▪ to promote the cause of poetry, and artistic endeavour in relation to Gerard Manley Hopkins in Ireland and worldwide

▪ to promote, foster and encourage cultural, artistic activity in general and poetry in particular

▪ to study and highlight the connection of English poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins with Ireland, in particular, his connection with County Kildare

▪ to create a forum for international, Irish and local artistic talent.

▪ to promote a critical engagement with the effects of the rapid globalisation of university circles and providing students with the opportunity to encounter international perspectives that they might otherwise not have access to.

Invitation to Students:

Following on from the last point, with the aim of increasing the number of younger attendees, the Hopkins Society is initiating a programme aimed specifically at graduate students, ideally (but not exclusively) those with a research interest in poetry and/or 19th century studies. This programme provides students with

▪ the opportunity to attend the Hopkins International Literary Festival and gain experience in an international academic atmosphere of debate and critical thinking.

▪ the possibility of presenting a paper themselves in front of an audience of international scholars and writers (See: Call for Papers)

▪ invaluable experience for anyone be looking to pursue an academic career

▪ the chance to attend workshops on poetry in a broader field, but with a connection to Hopkins and/or 19th century poetry

▪ the unique opportunity to meet writers and academics from around the world, thus making vital connections

▪ free access to all parts of either the main programme or the youth programme including:

‐ workshops

‐ lectures

‐ excursions

‐ concerts and poetry readings

‐ festival club

Call for Papers

We would be delighted to consider proposals for papers from graduate students on any aspect of Hopkins Studies. Papers presented in the past have always been well received, and one of our objectives is to give young academics the opportunity to present their views within an international forum. Proposals please to: william.adamson@gmx.de by 31st March 2022)

Costs:

The festival fee for the week would be £ 64 (€ 75) (standard fee £ 298 (€350)). Depending on how far away students live (some attendees may live close enough to attend on a daily basis from home), we would arrange accommodation at a reasonable price for them (i.e. single room £ 47 (€55), shared room £ 38 (€ 45) per person). Should it only be possible to attend for part of the festival week, a reasonable daily rate would be arranged. Attendees would have to cover all other costs, but we would do our best to provide them with the most economical options.

It would be useful to make enquiries within your department as to whether there is a budget for funding PhD student wishing to attend international conferences.

In the ever-increasing struggle that students of Humanities face who may be looking to pursue an academic career, we aim to provide them with a “foot on the ladder”. As well as meeting academics from an international background and thus making vital connections, our festival would provide them with invaluable experience and an important addition to their CVs.

We very much hope we will be able to welcome you to Newbridge, Co. Kildare this year for our International Literary Festival. If you are thinking of attending, please contact William Adamson (Deputy Artistic Director) at william.adamson@gmx.de.

Visit http://www.gerardmanleyhopkins.org/ for more information.