Hay Festival Cartagena 2024

Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias 2024 was held from 25 to 28 January. In this page you can find the events in the general programme as well as Hay Joven activities for university audiences, Hay Comunitario sessions which took place in different areas of Cartagena, Reading Clubs and Talento Editorial.

Events video and audio is available on Hay Festival Anytime.

Event 19

Philipp Blom in conversation with Misha Glenny

 Centro de Convenciones (Salón Barahona)
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The novelist, historian and translator Philipp Blom, educated in Vienna and Oxford, has published nine books in Spanish, the last of which is El gran teatro del mundo (Das grosse welttheater). In this new long essay Blom examines the idea that is so common nowadays of “the crisis of the present”: feelings of discouragement with the idea of progress, the threats of populism and the ecological collapse, a lack of the momentum the brought enlightened ideas, the urgent need to reinvent ourselves and to find new paradigms. This lucid, perceptive text deals with our past, our present and the possibilities that exist in the future. In conversation with Misha Glenny.

Simultaneous translation from English to Spanish available

This event has taken place
Philipp Blom in conversation with Misha Glenny

Event 20

Tsitsi Dangarembga, In Koli Jean Bofane, Pankaj Mishra and Erna von der Walde in conversation with Juan Esteban Lewin Pinzón

South to South conversations: different ways of seeing the world

 Teatro Adolfo Mejía
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This event will be part of the South to South series, in which the Hay Festival offers a forum for some of the most innovative voices of the global South, in order to share different ways of seeing the world, as well as non-Western solutions to the problems that beset us. The four guests at this event will talk about post-colonialism and ways of seeing the world that challenge the dominant models. With Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe), writer and filmmaker; In Koli Jean Bofane (Congo), writer and author of Mathematiques Congolaises; Pankaj Mishra (India), essayist and novelist; and Erna von der Walde (Colombia), writer and academic. In conversation with Juan Esteban Lewin Pinzón.

Simultaneous translation from English to Spanish available

This event has taken place
Tsitsi Dangarembga, In Koli Jean Bofane, Pankaj Mishra and Erna von der Walde in conversation with Juan Esteban Lewin Pinzón

Event 21

Margarita Rosa de Francisco in conversation with Vanessa Rosales

 Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española (patio)
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Over the course of four decades, and with 15 years as a columnist, Margarita Rosa de Francisco has become one of the most entertaining and influential personalities in the Colombian media. Her roles in soap operas such as Gallito Ramírez (1986-87) and Café con aroma de mujer (1994-95) made her a star of national television. She has acted in around 20 film and television productions, has contributed to media outlets such as El Tiempo, SoHo, Ellas and El Espectador, and has won many prizes, including the Simón Bolívar, TV y Novelas, Macondo and the India Catalina awards in Colombia, as well as the recent Horizon Award at the 2023 Venice Film Festival for Best Actress in the film El Paraiso, directed by the Italian Enrico María Artale. She will talk to Vanessa Rosales about her second book, Margarita va sola (2023), a collection of memories and reflections on matters that range from revealing one’s body and erotic initiation, to her thoughts about God and identity.

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Margarita Rosa de Francisco in conversation with Vanessa Rosales

Event 22

Lecture by Arnoldo Kraus

Euthanasia and assisted suicide

 Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española (Salón del Rey)
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In 2023, given the vast advances that have taken place in medical biotechnology, euthanasia and assisted suicide are issues that deserve to be discussed publically. Arnoldo Kraus (Mexico) is a Professor of Medicine and an expert in bioethics, sometimes called a “student of the soul”. He tackles this difficult and controversial matter, one that requires thinking, and talking to others, about death. He will reflect on concepts such as dignity, autonomy, anticipatory instructions, terminal patients, religious fanaticisms, the limits of life and medicine, biotechnology used suitably, or not… terms that need to be reflected on, both as individuals and as a society and a State. Kraus is the author of titles such as Decir adiós, decirse adiós; Una lectura de la vida; Dolor de uno, dolor de todos; La morada infinita. Entender la vida, pensar la muerte; Recordar a los difuntos; Cuando la muerte se aproxima and Una receta para no morir. Cartas a un joven médico. In his last book, Adiós, Glinka, Kraus writes for children about dealing with the loss of a pet, a creature that for many of us is another member of the family.
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Lecture by Arnoldo Kraus

Event 82

Daniel Fletcher, Rafael Ramos, Velia Vidal and Adriana Sandoval in conversation with Cindy Herrera

Talking about cultural management

 Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española (Salón Mutis)
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The writer and cultural manager Cindy Herrera will lead a conversation among four prominent cultural managers who, through different projects, can offer examples of success and models for the industry. With the participation of Daniel Fletcher (Spain), Director of Corporate Innovation and Development at Primavera Sound, a music festival of international renown for its innovative approach and its links with the cities where it runs; Rafael Ramos (Colombia), Director of the Cabildo cultural organisation, which works to train, promote and support the productions of traditional musicians, and of the Mercado Cultural del Caribe; the writer, cultural manager and reading promoter Velia Vidal, named in 2022 as one of the world’s 100 most influential women by the BBC, and founder and Director of the Motete cultural and educational organisation; and Adriana Sandoval, Culture and Press Attacheé at the Embassy of Colombia to the United Kingdom.

This event has taken place
Daniel Fletcher, Rafael Ramos, Velia Vidal and Adriana Sandoval in conversation with Cindy Herrera

Event HJ10

Carlos Manuel Álvarez, Nona Fernández, Natalia García Freire in conversation Pablo Abitbol

Shared truths

 Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar (Sede Manga) - Auditorio Jorge Taua
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The Hay Festival and the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) present the anthology Verdades compartidas, a project that reimagines Colombia after the peace process, written by ten Latin American authors. The project presents an inclusive and holistic vision of the peace process, and portrays not only the diversity of the country, but also sets the nation within the Latin American context. Three contributors to the anthology, Carlos Manuel Álvarez (Cuba), Nona Fernández (Chile) y Natalia García Freire (Ecuador) will talk about their texts, perspectives and feelings. In conversation with Pablo Abitbol.
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Carlos Manuel Álvarez, Nona Fernández, Natalia García Freire in conversation Pablo Abitbol

Event HJ11

Julio Victoria in conversation with Aroldo Mondol Quintana

 Universidad de Cartagena, Claustro de San Agustín (Biblioteca)
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Julio Victoria is a Colombian music producer and DJ who has worked intensely on his Live project, involving traditional Colombian instruments such as the harp or the marimba in the electronic universe, creating an authentic and innovative music. This interesting experimental mixture that has taken him onto stages in countries such as the US, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Finland, Norway, France, Hungary, Croatia, the UK and Japan. Victoria has also created an interesting social project in which he aims to democratise access to music, allowing it to reach young people in some of Colombia’s most marginal neighbourhoods thanks to educational workshops on electronic arts for the community of Ciudad Bolívar, always collaborating with local artists. He will talk to DJ Mondol.

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Julio Victoria in conversation with Aroldo Mondol Quintana

Event CL2

Book club: Julia Navarro in conversation with Margarita Valencia

 Casa Hay (Centro de Convenciones)
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Our book clubs are intimate events with guests selected from the Hay Festival programme. These small-scale events will be a chance to talk in depth about the most recent work published by those invited. At this event, Julia Navarro (Spain) will talk to Margarita Valencia about her book Una historia compartida (2023). The work aims to round out a universal history that, until now, has been written by and about men, shedding light on those women whose achievements and names have hardly appeared in books; from philosophers to scientists, from ancient times to our own days.

The book should be read before attending.
This event has taken place
Book club: Julia Navarro in conversation with Margarita Valencia

Event HC10

Juliana Muñoz Toro

Whales at the end of the world

 Casa Comunitaria de Tierra Baja
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Juliana Muñoz Toro Juliana Muñoz Toro is a writer and journalist. Her book 24 señales para descubrir a un alien won the Tragaluz International Writing Competition and was selected by the Munich International Youth Library. In her book Mi hermana Juana y las ballenas del fin del mundo she tells the story of a journey undertaken by a sister, a brother and their mother to see the humpback whales of the Colombian Pacific. Juliana will talk about this book with the attendees.
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Juliana Muñoz Toro

Event HC11

Beatriz Helena Robledo

A festival of riddles

 Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española (biblioteca)
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Beatriz Helena Robledo studied Spanish and Latin American Literature and lectured in Children’s Literature at the Universidad Javeriana. She has contributed to numerous anthologies of short stories and poetry, has been on the juries of children’s literature prizes such as the Iberoamericano Prize for Child and Young Adult Literature, the Casa de las Américas Prize for Literature for Children and Young People, and the RCN-Ministry of Education National Short Story Prize. Her books include Así somos. Tradiciones de Colombia; El otro Simón, an illustrated book about Simón Bolívar; Flores blancas para papá, a young adult novel; and various biographies: Rafael Pombo, la vida de un poeta; María Cano, la Virgen Roja; ¡Viva la Pola! and Teresita Gómez. Música, toda una vida. She currently runs the Consultorio Lector, a personalised attention programme for reading, writing and literature. On this occasion, Robledo presents a festival of riddles at which participants will join in, in groups, to try to answer the others’ conundrums.
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Beatriz Helena Robledo

Event 23

Ana Bejarano, Daniel Coronell, Daniel Samper Ospina, Daniel Samper Pizano and Enrique Santos

Opinion journalism in Colombia. Does it have a future?

 Centro de Convenciones (Auditorio Getsemaní)
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The journalism website Los Danieles, founded during the pandemic by Daniel Coronell (who will participate digitally), Daniel Samper Ospina and Daniel Samper Pizano, has become an independent news site with a big following in Colombia. Together with Ana Bejarano, who is also part of the team, the fourth well-known columnists will talk, alongside Enrique Santos, about the Colombian and global current affairs.

This event has taken place
Ana Bejarano, Daniel Coronell, Daniel Samper Ospina, Daniel Samper Pizano and Enrique Santos

Event 24

Jago Cooper in conversation with Laura Osorio Sunnucks

Visionary art

 Centro de Convenciones (Salón Barahona)
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Museum director and curator, documentary presenter and Professor of Art and Archaeology, Jago Cooper (UK) will talk about his new and radical vision of art. Drawing on his adventures in Latin America as well as his long standing work with human creativity - from Indigenous Caribbean cave painting to contemporary activist installations tackling issues such as the climate crisis - he will discuss the meaning of art and why the museums that care for it are magical. In conversation with Laura Osorio Sunnucks.

Simultaneous translation from English to Spanish available

This event has taken place
Jago Cooper in conversation with Laura Osorio Sunnucks

Event 25

Hisham Matar in conversation with Philippe Sands and Juan Gabriel Vásquez

 Teatro Adolfo Mejía
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The acclaimed author Hisham Matar (Libya/United States), winner of the Pulitzer Prize for The Return, presents his new book, My Friends, a highly moving novel about three friends who experience political exile and about the emotional homeland that close friendships can create, in conversation with Juan Gabriel Vásquez and Philippe Sands.

Simultaneous translation from English to Spanish available

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Hisham Matar in conversation with Philippe Sands and Juan Gabriel Vásquez

Event 26

Moisés Naím and Alberto Vergara in conversation with Héctor Abad Faciolince

 Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española (patio)
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The journalist and writer Moisés Naím (Venezuela) is the author of a range of academic articles and over 15 books that range from an analysis of the global political and economic situation, to fiction, set in the times of Hugo Chávez. Ortega y Gasset Prize laureate in 2011, on this occasion he presents his new book Lo que nos está pasando, a compilation of columns about contemporary geopolitics that he has published in the media, one which continues the thread of his book Repensar el siglo XXI. Peruvian political scientist Alberto Vergara has recently published Repúblicas defraudadas, a book on the widespread social discontent in Latin America due to the failure of the republican project throughout the region: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Panama; delving into the structural causes of this discontent, such as citizen insecurity, insufficient health and education services, economic factors, segregation, racism and corruption.
They will talk to the writer Héctor Abad Faciolince.
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Moisés Naím and Alberto Vergara in conversation with Héctor Abad Faciolince

Event 27

Gabi Martínez in conversation with David Lara Ramos

 Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española (Salón del Rey)
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The writer and environmental activist Gabi Martínez (Spain) is the author of sixteen books, including novels and non-fiction, translated into over ten languages. He is also the Director of the Liternatura Festival, won the 2022 Serondaya Prize and is the co-director of the Animales Invisibles project. He will talk to us about Delta, a text written over the course of a year spent in the last house before the sea at the delta of the Ebro river, in which he bears witness to the growing tensions between humans and nature. In conversation with David Lara Ramos.

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Gabi Martínez in conversation with David Lara Ramos

Event HC12

José Andrés Gómez

 CDI Camino de Luz - El Pozón
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This author loves horror films.José Andrés Gómez studied Biology, then Audiovisual Communication and then baking. He collects strange comics and board games. Some of his books are Los cuadernos del doctor Calamar, Marsálida: guía turística para el visitante indefenso and Índigo no puede salir de vacaciones. He likes to mix everything and learned to use pens and dice at the same time, creating stories by playing, almost without meaning to.
Ages 12 and over
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José Andrés Gómez

Event HJ12

Gabriela Cabezón Cámara in conversation with Deiver Juez Correa

 Universidad de Cartagena, Claustro de San Agustín (Biblioteca)
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Gabriela Cabezón Cámara (Argentina), the acclaimed author of The Adventures of China Iron (shortlisted for prestigious awards such as the International Booker and the Médicis) returns with the powerful Las niñas del naranjel (2023), about the historical figure Catalina de Erauso, the Nun Alférez, who was born in Spain in the late 16th century and who crossed America dressed as a man. The novel tells of the destruction of a world with the sword and the cross, of the conquest of a “new world” and recreates a character who defies all the conventions of her times, and even of our own. She will talk to Deiver Juez Correa.
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Gabriela Cabezón Cámara in conversation with Deiver Juez Correa

Event HJ13

Jorge Comensal in conversation with Laura Martínez Salcedo

This boiling vacuum

 Universidad de Cartagena, Claustro de la Merced (Salón Eréndira)
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Jorge Comensal is the author of the novel Las mutaciones (2019) and the essay Yonquis de las letras (2017). He has contributed to media outlets such as Gatopardo, Tierra Adentro, The Literary Review and The Paris Review. He has also edited the Revista de la Universidad de México magazine, been a recipient of the Foundation for Mexican Literature and the National Fund for Culture and the Arts, as well as a resident with the Jan Michalski Foundation. He presents Este vacío que hierve (2023), a novel that explores matters such as the malleable nature of space-time, the environmental crisis, family secrets, addiction and fanaticism. It knits together the stories of Karina, a 25-year old physicist; her alcoholic grandmother Rebeca; the parents of Karina, who died 18 years previously; Silverio, a guard at Mexico City’s biggest cemetery; a cryptic pyromaniac priest; Daenerys, an environmental activist; and the animals at the burning zoo of this story of fauna, mystery and solitude. He will talk to Laura Martínez Salcedo.

This event has taken place
Jorge Comensal in conversation with Laura Martínez Salcedo

Event HJ21

100 years of La vorágine

Juan Cárdenas, Juan Carlos Flórez, Javier Ortiz Cassiani and Erna von der Walde in conversation with Margarita Valencia

 Universidad de Cartagena, Claustro de San Agustín (Paraninfo)
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It has been a century since the publication of one of the landmarks of Colombian and Latin American literature: La vorágine. The novel, written in 1924 by José Eustasio Rivera, tells the story of the two protagonists, Alicia and Arturo, who flee into the Amazon rainforest on a legendary journey that is scarred by the violence of history and the violence of nature. Despite the years that have passed, the condemnation of the problems of the frontier and the exploitation of rubber workers made by Rivera continues to be relevant, making this work a timeless classic that shines as brightly as ever. With Juan Cárdenas, Juan Carlos Flórez, Javier Ortiz Cassiani and Erna von der Walde en conversación con Margarita Valencia.
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100 years of La vorágine

Event HJ9

Masterclass with Jon Lee Anderson

Exploring the world through the travel chronicle

 Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar (sede Manga) - Aula MB 204
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The Gabo Foundation, in alliance with Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias, announces the master class Exploring the World through the travel chronicle, to be held on January 26, 2024, as part of Hay Festival Cartagena at the Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar (Manga venue). The activity will be led by Jon Lee Anderson (United States), writer and journalist, who will offer practical advice and effective techniques for observing, researching and writing about the travel chronicle.

Presented by Javier Ramos.

To participate in the masterclass, please register here
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Masterclass with Jon Lee Anderson

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