All You Need To Know About Hay Festival

It all began 31 years ago around a kitchen table in the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye, when the now festival-founders were looking for somewhere to cement their love of words and books. Now attracting Nobel-prize winners, internationally successful authors, and celebrity writers, the Hay Festival has travelled to over 30 locations, including several pitches in South America and in Europe. This year, we’ll see six events take place, kicking off in its original town on 24 May until 3 June.

Fiction

Debut and world-famous authors alike join the bill to discuss their career catalogues and latest works. Names such as Margaret Atwood, Marian Keyes and Ian McEwan top the bill. Memoir writer and singer-songwriter Will Young will also be appearing, as will five of the Hay Festival Bogota 39’s selection of best up-and-coming young authors.

Poetry and wordplay

Global affairs

Political matters such as Trump’s America and Brexit are reviewed and debated, with books such as War and Peace being discussed in the context of the modern world.

Community matters

Addressing social issues like gender and race equality and contemporary philosophy and faith are names like Rose McGowan, Germaine Greer, Dolly Alderton, and Akala.

History

A large section of the programme this year is dedicated to history. 2018 marks a century since women won the right to vote in Britain. Russia is also brought into conversation, along with more quirky talks on dinosaurs and numerous other topics.

Health

Another big part of the programme this year focuses on wellbeing and self-care, subjects that have become high on people’s personal agendas in recent years. Ruby Wax will talk through her theories from How to Be Human, her latest work.

Science, tech and learning

Artificial Intelligence, blackholes and multiverses are some of the numerous subjects of lectures and discussions, but the very topic of education and pedagogy takes centre stage this year. Amanda Spielman, HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills will discuss the future of education in the UK.

Travel and nature

Talks from Horatio Clare and William Atkins will take festival goers on a journey through their travel writing, and adventurer Bear Grylls will preview his book How to Stay Alive: The Ultimate Survival Guide for Any Situation.

Hay on Earth

Sustainability is the word on everyone’s lips this year, and Hay Festival are welcoming business leaders to discuss their plans for environmental protection, thereby encouraging the conversation to move forward.

Art and design

Architects join the programme this year to talk about the buildings that surround us and how they intersect with social issues and our experience of our surrounding environment.

Entertainment

Of course, the whole festival is constantly entertaining. But, if you’re looking for a break from the literary, screenwriters, foodies and comedians will be here to bring some variety to the mix. Expect music from the likes 0f Jake Bugg, Hackney Colliery Band and Laura Mvula to name a few, too.

Kids’ stuff

There is so much for children to do at Hay Festival, from workshops and young adult classes to live performances and, of course, plenty of readings. Check out the specially curated schools programme which opens the festival.

The 31st Hay Festival is on until June 3, 2018

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.