A New Literary Geography

A new research project to establish a Digital Literary Atlas of Wales and its Borderlands will offer insight into the vital connections between people, literature and land.

Dr Jon Anderson, from the School of Geography and Planning has recently returned from the Hay Festival, where he introduced the new project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.  He discussed how it will become an interdisciplinary demonstration of the power of literary geography to offer insight into the vital connections between people, literature and land.

Speaking about the project Jon said: “A new literary geography is based on the assumption that novels and stories cannot be confined by the covers of a book, but through the reader’s imagination become part of the lived experience of the world around us.

“We have plans to create and evaluate an interactive website, The Digital Literary Atlas of Wales and its Borderlands (DLAW) will innovatively map twelve classic and contemporary fictions set in Wales in order to challenge outdated approaches to literary geography, and demonstrate the potential of 'new literary geography.

“The project has three clear objectives: to encourage the critical and active reading of fictional narratives; promote understanding of how literature can help strengthen individual and community identity; and help to enhance cultural tourism.”

The first project has three phases. The first phase of the project will create the DLAW, the second phase will evaluate the DLAW, whilst the third phase will communicate the project’s insights in policy reports, academic papers, international festivals, conferences, open public events, and the DLAW itself. More details on the project can be seen here: A New Literary Geography