Key West has a prolific history as a literature hub. Writers such as Ernest Hemingway, Robert Frost, and Tennessee Williams spent time living and writing on the island. Tennessee Williams was a resident of the city for 34 years. His birthday celebration has become one of the biggest local festivals!
Photo from https://www.kwahs.org/upcoming-events/tennessee-williams-poetry-contest
Tennessee Williams is considered one of the greatest American playwrights of all time, and his work has won many awards, including a Pulitzer-prize. He moved to Key West in 1949 and lived on the island for 34 years! In his memory, the Key West Art & Historical Society hosts an annual Tennessee Williams Birthday Celebration. This festival brings together the community for a month of arts and cultural events.
Each year, this festival hosts fundraisers, painting camps, writing contests, lectures, museum tours, film showings, live theater, a birthday party, and more. All of the events are outlined here: https://www.kwahs.org/upcoming-events/category/event/twbc
Photo from https://www.kwahs.org/upcoming-events/tw-birthday-party
Be sure to visit the Tennessee Williams Museum during the celebration! At the museum, you can view an extensive collection of photographs, first edition plays and books, rare newspaper and magazine articles, videos, a typewriter used by the author while writing in Key West, and other artifacts.
The 2023 Tennessee Williams Birthday Celebration officially kicks off on Sunday, March 5th. Events will take place through the end of the month. Don't miss out on all of the fun! Get yourself to Key West ASAP!
