Hay Festival (British Council)

For over 30 years Hay has brought readers and writers together to share stories and ideas in live sustainable events around the world, from the beaches of Cartagena de Indias to the cities of Beirut and Mumbai, reaching more than five million people across five continents. Hay festivals inspire, examine, and entertain.

During this Festival’s 34th spring edition, in over 12 days more than 200 acclaimed writers, global policy makers, historians, poets, pioneers, and innovators will contribute inspiring, examining, and entertaining all spectators in events for adults and for children.

The British Council is supporting a series of six events at the festival, including the opening gala event ‘A Night of Hope’, featuring HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, Stephen Fry, Elif Shafak, Simon Schama, Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Rob Brydon, and chaired by classicist Natalie Haynes.

Other events include journalist George Monbiot on how to live within our planet’s means, acclaimed Welsh-language poet Mererid Hopwood, winner of the Merky Books New Writers Prize Hafsa Zayyan, Caleb Azumah Nelson, and bestselling crime author Val McDermid on her new graphic novel.

All events will be closed-captioned and available to watch for free 24 hours from their live broadcast. Audiences can register for an event in advance to receive updates.

To know more about the British contribution to the Festival, visit the website of the BC, while for information on the full Hay Festival Digital programme see hayfestival.com.