The Thomas Hardy Society is helping lead a day of talks, performances and discussion exploring the links between literature, music and place.
The society is collaborating with academic partners for a special study day titled “Words, Music and Place”, taking place on Friday, June 26 at Bournemouth University.
Members of the public are invited to attend the free event, which will run from 10.45am to 6.30pm.
Central to the day is the Thomas Hardy Society’s involvement in a panel discussion exploring “Words, Music and Place in Hardy’s Houses”.
The session will be chaired by the society and will feature readings alongside live folk music performances, bringing Hardy’s work and world vividly to life.
The event will highlight Hardy’s enduring influence, particularly his strong association with Dorset landscapes and the ways in which place shaped both his writing and the music inspired by it.
Alongside the Hardy-focused panel, the study day will include a papers session led by academics, examining themes in literature and music, as well as a lecture recital centred on song settings of poets with Dorset connections.
This final session will feature live art song performances.
Organisers say the day is designed to appeal not only to academics but to anyone with an interest in literature, music and Dorset’s cultural heritage.
The Thomas Hardy Society, dedicated to promoting appreciation of the author’s life and works, continues to support events that bring his legacy to new audiences through collaboration and creative interpretation.
Attendance at the study day is free, but booking is required.
Full details of the programme and registration information can be found online at the Open University Literature and Music webpage.
