MOUNT DORA
Jane Austen Fest
February 9, 10 & 11, 2024
A foot in the 21st Century and a toe in the Regency Era.
The Jane Austen Fest 2024
The 4th Annual Jane Austen Fest will be exciting and bursting with fun! To contain all this merriment we have added a half-day on Friday. Join us!
Registration Now Open
Lectures & Workshops
Our speakers this year include, Dr. Deborah Aschkenes, Dr. Ann Wass, Dr. Susan Jones, and Jennie Chauncey and check out our workshops page to see the new additions.
Regency Ball
How about a Masquerade Ball?! Get your costume and/or mask out and plan to enjoy an evening of Regency fun!
Teas
Our Four Course Teas are held all day on Saturday at the historic Donnelly House right in downtown Mount Dora.
We Need Volunteers
Scholarships for Women
Jane Austen Donates scholarships for women who are seeking an education in literature, history, fashion, theatre, or writing/authorship
Jane Austen’s Significance
British novelist Jane Austen (1775-1817) wrote only six novels and died in 1817 at the age of 41. Yet, novelists on both sides of the pond, from Mark Twain to Kipling, could not let her pass quietly. Twain was fond of detesting Austen both in writing and speech, marveling that Austen had been allowed to die a natural death rather than face execution for her literary crimes. Kipling, however, greatly admired Austen’s work. The most famous line in his short story, The Janeites, reads There’s no one to touch Jane when you’re in a tight place.
Today her works continue to inspire debate and critique from scholarly circles to online blogs and her life continues to be explored by modern authors.
In addition to inspiring a thirst for knowledge about all things Regency, Austen has done more to inspire reproduction Regency era clothing and accessories in our century than any other author of her time. The Jane Austen Society continue to grow in membership. Their events, conferences and local chapters in both the US and abroad offer a wide range of content for serious “Janeites” as well as for those looking to simply take a step back in time for the sake of amusement and escape.
Austen’s Regency era tales of life and love brim with psychologically complex and multi-layered heroines who do not bow to the mores of their era. Add Austen’s brilliant irony to this mix and you have endless fascination and discovery for readers. Her books transcend time and geographical boundaries, allowing for adapted – and sometimes unusual – story lines in our modern books, movies and television.
Does Jane Austen remain culturally relevant today? Indeed, for as has been said, While the rules of life and love have changed since the Regency era, the game itself has not.
If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad.
Jane Austen
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Seeking Jane at the Austen Fest in Mount Dora, Florida
The Jane Austen Fest is Featured in Travel Through History. "Every enthusiast has a must visit destination. For art lovers, it’s Miami’s Art Basel. Bikers have the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on their wish list. For fans of Jane Austen, it’s the town of Mount Dora,...
Jane Austen Fest E-News 10-12-2023
October 12, 2023 My dear Jane Austen Friends, We have been busy, boy have we been busy!… working on the best Jane Austen Festyet. This is our 4th Fest and we are thrilled to invite you to our Fest again on February 9, 10, & 11, 2024, celebrating Jane Austen and...
Scholarship Recipient 2023
Congratulations Elysse Harpster! Elysse has been a Fest volunteer the last two years. She graduated from Eustis high school in the spring and is enrolled at Lake-Sumter. Her future plans incudes becoming a writer. Congratulation Elysse and much luck in your studies!...