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• Some of you might be interested in this call for paper on Tourism and Englishness below...

English-ness: Tourist Literature: Identity Representation of England and the English
in Writing and Images.

University of Brighton, Eastbourne
19th – 20th July 2007
International Institute for the Study of Englishness

Papers will be published in either the journal Identity, Self & Symbolism or a book with the same title as the conference (Midrash Publishing)
England is the main destination for incoming tourists. Many come In Search of England; the English-ness as expressed in legends, novels, poems, drama, music, cinema and television. Where travel writers once represented the world outside England contemporary media now represent England to the world. The written and visual provide the vehicle to convey an aesthetically arranged combination of signifiers of English-ness. Destination selection, among the many competing places to visit, is based on the representation of places and promises of experiences to be enjoyed. The vignettes provided through various media (newspapers, brochures, posters, travel guides, postcards) provide possibilities to re-trace histories that shaped the modern world and at the same time partake in an enjoyable holiday. For a short time it is possible to be among a people and it’s places made knowable through it’s literature and media / entertainment industries.

How can we understand the role of travel writing, past and present, on the development of notions of England?
What kinds of reception have tourists of signifiers of England and English-ness?
What part does the attachment of values play in the promotion of English-ness?
Why are particular places, buildings and symbols regarded as core to the meta-narratives of English-ness?
In what ways can and have sub-texts been developed to expand the attraction of England as a destination?
In what ways can promotional materials be evaluated as texts carrying the message of English-ness?

We welcome proposals from practitioners, academics and other stakeholders.

Further details from

Dr Chris Hart contact@iise.co.uk
http://web.mac.com/theorists/iWeb/IISE/Home.html