Learning at literary festivals.

Abstract

Abstract By investigating learning at literary festivals, this chapter aims to address the gaps in understanding how people learn while practising tourism. It begins by presenting literary festivals in the context of literary tourism before going on to consider a number of theoretical approaches that could be employed in the attempt to further understand how learning forms part of the experience of attending literary festivals. Individual cultural capital acquisition among literary festival attendees are then examined. Key among the questions posed are whether people enhance their cultural knowledge and skills by participating in literary festivals and whether literary festivals are rewarding and fulfilling experiences that lead to personal self-improvement. Empirically, findings of an exploratory study focusing on tourist audiences attending two book festivals in Dublin, Ireland, are reported.