Over a century later, and mountains are even more deeply in us – drawing millions of people to them each year in search of adventure, enlightenment, beauty, wonder, wildness – and nerve-quivering fear.
As the virtual world consumes more of our time and attention, and as environmental crisis deepens around the globe, so our encounters with mountains and the natural world grow ever more vital. The stories we tell about the landscapes we live in and the places we love, are crucial ways of grounding ourselves in these uncertain times.
I am so proud to be a patron of the Kendal Mountain Literature Festival – a celebration and exploration of our stories of place. I love the Lake District, the mountains – and all that this Festival stands for. Its great theme is that of imagination’s relationship with landscape – and its great vision is to bring about participation by means of inspiration. So please come and join us here in Kendal.