Abstract
ABSTRACT This article examines the intricate layers of identity in Hay-on-Wye, a Welsh border town that symbolizes both cultural distinctiveness and national ambiguity. Through ethnographic research, it explores how residents negotiate Welsh, English, and British identities within a landscape shaped by Hay's unique history, geography, and civic mythology. Known for its self-proclaimed “independence” as the “Kingdom of Hay” and for its internationally renowned literary festival, the town has a rich narrative of local pride. The study foregrounds the role of sport, specifically Hay St. Mary's Football Club, in reflecting and mediating local identity within the context of devolved Wales. Figures like Richard Booth, the town's self-styled “King,” have further shaped Hay's identity, blending notions of community, nationalism, and myth. By investigating how local identities intersect with national frameworks, this research highlights the fluid, multi-layered nature of identity in border regions and contributes to broader discussions on nationalism and regional belonging within the UK.
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