From the view from the outside, the Dolomites seemed unapproachable for a long time. No wonder they reminded the travel book publisher John Murray of an alligator’s teeth. The first travellers were fascinated. In her book ‘Gezahnt wie der Kiefer eines Alligators. Was Reisende über die Dolomiten schrieben’ (translation: Toothed like an alligator’s jaw. What travellers wrote about the Dolomites) brings together excerpts from works of world literature as well as travelogues, letters and diaries that revive this spirit of discovery.
In conversation with Elide Mussner, the author talks about her research and discoveries regarding the biographies of the numerous authors who visited the Dolomites. Using selected texts, participants in the book presentation will meet pioneers of travelling in the Dolomites such as Josiah Gilbert and George C. Churchill, Amelia Edwards and Karl Baedeker and alpinists such as Emil Zsigmondy, Leone Sinigaglia and the founder of modern women’s mountaineering Jeanne Immink.
Ingrid Runggaldier works as a translator and specialises in comparative linguistics and literature, women’s, gender and minority studies as well as the history of alpinism and tourism.
The book presentation will take place next Thursday, 23rd May at 5 pm at the Museum Ladin Ursus ladinicus in San Cassiano in Val Badia. Admission is free. The event will be held in Ladin, German and Italian.