Culture Of The Isle Of Wight
The Isle of Wight maintains a culture close to, but distinct from, that of the south of England due to its nature as an offshore island. With a high proportion of the present-day population being 'overners', with a few notable exceptions it has more often formed the backdrop for cultural events of wider significance, rather than Island-specific heritage.
The Island has inspired many creative works in history. Local people often seek to defend their real or perceived culture, and local politics is often dictated by a desire to preserve the traditions and habits of the Island.
The first creative flowering of the Isle of Wight occurred during the reign of Queen Victoria under whose patronage the island became a fashionable destination for the Victorian gentry.
Read more about Culture Of The Isle Of Wight: Literature, Painting, Photography, Language and Dialect, Local Media, Sport, Major Events, Marmotinto, Music, Views of The Island, Paganism, Morris Dancing
Famous quotes containing the words culture, isle and/or wight:
“No race has the last word on culture and on civilization. You do not know what the black man is capable of; you do not know what he is thinking and therefore you do not know what the oppressed and suppressed Negro, by virtue of his condition and circumstance, may give to the world as a surprise.”
—Marcus Garvey (1887–1940)
“It is so rare to meet with a man outdoors who cherishes a worthy thought in his mind, which is independent of the labor of his hands. Behind every man’s busy-ness there should be a level of undisturbed serenity and industry, as within the reef encircling a coral isle there is always an expanse of still water, where the depositions are going on which will finally raise it above the surface.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“She that was ever fair, and never proud,
Had tongue at will, and yet was never loud
...
She that could think, and ne’er disclose her mind,
See suitors following, and not look behind.
She was a wight, if ever such wight were—
To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)