Sun Valley is not the only town in the United States, or the world for that matter, to host an Ernest Hemingway festival. In fact, most every locale the Nobel Prize winner occupied bears his name in some form or other, be it a festival, landmark or course of study. In Cuba, Hemingway is more of a celebrated brand than a noted literary figure. So why has Sun Valley, a beloved home of one of the modern world's most prolific writers, only just decided to celebrate him with a festival?
"It was not for lack of importance, but it was more a matter of time and being able to present it well," said Carrie Westergard, marketing director for the Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau. "We've gotten quite a bit of feedback from people who have attended other (Hemingway) festivals. In your first year, hopefully you're doing the right thing."
Indeed, the waiting did pay off, garnering the inaugural festival the 2006 Idaho Governor's Award for cultural tourism.
In its sophomore year, the festival is proving that the connections and ties of Hemingway run deep, and life-imitating art should be examined a little closer. Again, the timing for the chamber has been almost serendipitous.
The festival, which takes place this weekend, opens with special guest speaker Maria Cooper Janis, daughter of actor Gary Cooper, who will reflect upon the close relationship Hemingway shared with her father in the documentary, "Cooper & Hemingway: The True Gen."
Along with the film's writer, director and producer, John Mulholland, Janis will present the world premiere of the film on opening night of the festival at the Sun Valley Opera House. The screening may well attract the attention of some interesting media prospects.
The weekend promises a bevy of events such as the Hemingway Festival Book Fair, with antiquarian dealers displaying rare and first editions as well as out-of-print collectibles at Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge, and panel discussions on Hemingway and director John Huston presented by Hemingway's personal secretary Valerie Hemingway. The festival will also screen a few Hemingway classics including "The Sun Also Rises" and "Islands in the Stream," among others.
However, the most intriguing event of this year's festival will be an exclusive $1,000-per-person dinner party at Hemingway's Warm Springs home. A five-course dinner catered by Cristina's of Ketchum for 20 or so people to dine among the virtually untouched environs of "Papa" was conceived as a benefit to create revenue for the upkeep of this most unusual landmark.
Since his death in 1961, the house has virtually gone untouched with issues of Look and Life magazines from 1961 still in place. Donated to The Nature Conservancy in 1981 by Hemingway's widow, Mary Hemingway, the house has required a certain amount of upkeep that has been reported to cost upwards of $50,000. The house, under management by The Nature Conservancy since its donation, has had very limited access due to unwanted traffic of "Papa" enthusiasts by surrounding neighbors.
Nonetheless, Hemingway's influence on Sun Valley can be traced through the many people he knew and befriended in this area, especially among those who live to tell and write his story. This festival has the great distinction of exploring the multi-faceted life of Hemingway in the Wood River Valley, due to the overwhelming living history that remains of him in Sun Valley today.
According to Chris Millspaugh, The Community Library's regional historian, Sun Valley is "the third largest depository" of Hemingway vestiges.
"People embraced him living here. He had great local friends who had ranches and farms, and he loved to come every fall to hunt."
It's only fitting that this festival reflect Hemingway's passions beyond writing and get a sense of his life beyond his portable Royal 1948 typewriter.
"We have his typewriter and the instructions on the keys are in Spanish," added Millspaugh. "The case is beaten up with steamer stickers with a berth number and his name. It's possible he could have written 'Old Man in the Sea' on it."
For more interesting Hemmingway tidbits, Millspaugh will give a slide presentation on "Hemingway in Idaho" at the Community Library in Ketchum.
Finally, a "Tribute to PAPA" will allow festival goers to absorb a favored haunt of Hemingway, the Trail Creek Cabin, where he was known to hang out with Gary Cooper among many other legendary types.
Other events include tours of Hemingway hangouts and readings by Yiyun Li, winner of the 2006 Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award, short story prize winner Brian Railsback, and talks by Hemingway Foundation trustee and noted writer Susan Beegel, as well as Hemingway scholars Kim Barnes and Robert Wrigley.
Events are scheduled throughout Sun Valley and Ketchum. For more information and a complete schedule of events visit www.ernesthemingwayfestival.org.
Photo Courtesy Regional History Department, The Community Library. Ernest Hemingway posing with the trophies of his favorite Sun Valley pursuit, hunting. Papa and his local connections will be celebrated during this week?s Ernest Hemingway Festival.
