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Hay Festival 2024

Escape the day-to-day at Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye 2024. Join us 23 May–2 June at our free-to-enter Festival site. Explore the full programme and book your individual events below. If you want to see the programme at a glance, please use our schedule view.

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Event FiltersYou are viewing events filtered bySaturday 25 May 2024Reset all filters
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ActivityJuliet Russell

Event 43

Juliet Russell

Song in an Hour

–  St Mary’s Church
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This is your chance to sing with vocal coach and choir director Juliet Russell, as she teaches the 1980s classic ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ in honour of Wales’ own Bonnie Tyler. You’ll learn warm-ups, harmonies, breathing and performance techniques in this uplifting, inclusive and energising session. Russell has worked with Grammy, BRiT and MOBO artists. Her TV credits include The Voice and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.

All experience levels welcome.
This event has taken place
ConversationBBC Radio 4: On Your Farm

Event 457

BBC Radio 4: On Your Farm

–  Exchange Marquee
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Charlotte Smith, BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today presenter and the UK most respected agricultural journalist, is in conversation with farmer, broadcaster and author: Adam Henson about farming, writing books and how he accidentally became a TV presenter.

This event has taken place
ConversationJeff Kinney

Event F5

Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The No Brainer Show

–  Global Stage
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Come on down and unlock your brain power! The No Brainer Show is an outrageously entertaining event hosted in person by bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney. You’ll be invited to join Jeff on stage and to face off in brain-challenging game show-style activities to support your local library. Expect an epically fun event that celebrates the latest Wimpy Kid book and explores the outer limits of the brain.

Please bring your own sketchbook and pencils to draw along in this event.

9+ years
This event has taken place
ConversationPhilip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre

Event F6

Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre

Adventuremice: Mice on the Moon

–  Spring Stage
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In Mice on the Moon, the heroic Adventuremice have been summoned by an inventor-mouse. Millie’s Uncle Bernie has built a spaceship and he wants them to fly it. BOOM! Pedro and his friends blast into outer space, where they become the first mice on the moon. Or so they think…

Please bring your own sketchbook and pencils to draw along in this event.

5+ years
This event has taken place
WorkshopFrom Plant to Plate Workshop

Event W6

From Plant to Plate Workshop

With Darryl Gadzekpo & Ella Phillips

–  Creative Hub
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You’ll be inspired to get growing, get cooking and get plant-powered eating in this hands-on workshop led by green-fingered duo Darryl Gadzekpo and Ella Phillips. Their passion for gardening and cooking with their children has spurred them to write From Plant to Plate, a visual feast full of all the tips you need to transform seeds into mighty fruit, vegetables, and herbs, and to cook your home-grown ingredients.

7+ years
Parents/carers must attend but do not need a ticket.
This event has taken place
ActivityMake & Take Crafting

Event MT2

Make & Take Crafting

Saturday Lunchtime Session

–  Make & Take Hub
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An opportunity to get crafting! Activities differ every day, including everything from print-making to junk modelling with recycled materials. Get messy and creative: your imagination is the limit.

Book for the session and you can drop in at any point during the 1.5 hour duration. Accompanying adults: please stay in attendance at all times, but you do not require a ticket.

3–11 years
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ConversationMark Cocker and Hamza Yassin talk to Kate Humble

Event 44

Mark Cocker and Hamza Yassin talk to Kate Humble

Brilliant Birds

–  Global Stage
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Naturalist Mark Cocker has always been fascinated by swifts, and in One Midsummer’s Day he sets out to discover their essence. Migrating swifts span continents and their 12-week stopover with us is the definition of summer. These birds without borders are a metaphor to express the unity of the living planet, for no creature, least of all ourselves, can live in isolation. Fellow wildlife enthusiast Hamza Yassin’s book Be a Birder is a joyful guide for beginners. The wildlife cameraman (and Strictly 2022 winner) explains how to identify birds quickly, understand bird behaviour and choose the right equipment. Born in Sudan, living in Scotland, Yassin’s first TV appearance was as Ranger Hamza on the CBeebies show Let’s Go for a Walk and he is a presenter on BBC One series Animal Park. They talk to broadcaster and author Kate Humble.

This event has taken place
 
ConversationTimandra Harkness and Mark Stevenson talk to Martin Wright

Event 45

Timandra Harkness and Mark Stevenson talk to Martin Wright

AI: Nothing to Fear?

–  Wye Stage
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It’s a looming apocalypse, morphing beyond all human control… or it’s the dawn of a new golden age, when our lives will dramatically improve. What’s our best hope of taming the AI tiger? Writer and comedian Timandra Harkness’ latest book is Technology is not the Problem. She presents the BBC Radio 4 series FutureProofing and How to Disagree. Mark Stevenson is a ‘Reluctant Futurist’, a strategic advisor to governments, investors, NGOs and corporates, as well as a comedy writer. His books, An Optimist’s Tour of the Future and We Do Things Differently, map out proven solutions to current dilemmas. They discuss the looming AI apocalypse with environmentalist Martin Wright.

This event has taken place
ConversationMarie Mitchell

Event 46

Marie Mitchell

Kin: Caribbean Recipes for the Modern Kitchen

–  Meadow Stage
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In this demo and tasting event, the London-based chef celebrates recipes that have been passed down the generations. The daughter of Jamaican immigrants, her debut cookbook explores the connections food can foster between friends, families and strangers. Its 80 dishes include crispy saltfish fritters, slow cooked jerk pork, zingy lime and ginger cheesecake, confounding misconceptions that Caribbean food is all about intense heat, pungent smoke and a handful of familiar dishes. Mitchell takes us on a journey through the region’s myriad food cultures, emerging from the convergence of African, American, European and South Asian influences in its troubling history, its legacy transformed by the kinship of those who share food. Alongside talking about the influences in her cooking Marie will be showing us how to create creamy tomato curry, rotis and rum punch (or non alc version) and tastes of all of the recipes demonstrated will be handed out to be enjoyed together.

This event has taken place
ConversationBBC Radio 4: Michael Sandel the Public Philosopher

Event 424

BBC Radio 4: Michael Sandel the Public Philosopher

–  Exchange Marquee
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We live in a world where artificial intelligence is making it difficult to figure out what’s real and what’s not. Professor Michael Sandel of Harvard University – Radio 4’s ‘Public Philosopher’ – talks about the challenge the virtual world poses and asks whether we should worry about it or embrace it.

This event has taken place
ConversationAlice Roberts

Event F7

Alice Roberts

Wolf Road

–  Discovery Stage
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In historian and broadcaster Alice Roberts’ new children’s novel, Wolf Road, prehistoric Tuuli travels with her tribe through the seasons – making camp, hunting for food and protecting themselves against the hazards the climate throws at them. She knows there’s a bigger world out there, and when she spots a strange boy lurking outside their camp, she realises he might hold the adventure she is looking for. He is from another tribe, and as he and Tuuli strike up an unlikely friendship, they set out on a journey that will influence the rest of human history. Find out about the real anthropological discoveries that inspired this tale full of wild animals and heart-stopping danger.

9+ years
This event has taken place
ConversationAlex Wheatle in conversation with Clive Myrie

Event F8

Alex Wheatle in conversation with Clive Myrie

(Un)scripted: Crongton and Beyond

–  Spring Stage
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Award-winning author, playwright and screenwriter Alex Wheatle’s work often explores themes of identity, race and social injustice, drawing on his own experiences as a black British man. Alex was born in Brixton, South London, in 1963. His parents were Jamaican immigrants and he grew up in a children’s home after being placed there by social services at the age of six. In 1981, Alex went to prison for his involvement in the Brixton riots: this transformational period in his life was adapted for screen in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe production. With BBC broadcaster Clive Myrie, Alex discusses his life experiences and how they have shaped his writing, including the final book in his bestselling Crongton series – In The Ends.

12+ years
This event has taken place
WorkshopFrom Plant to Plate Workshop

Event W7

From Plant to Plate Workshop

With Darryl Gadzekpo & Ella Phillips

–  Creative Hub
Read more

You’ll be inspired to get growing, get cooking and get plant-powered eating in this hands-on workshop led by green-fingered duo Darryl Gadzekpo and Ella Phillips. Their passion for gardening and cooking with their children has spurred them to write From Plant to Plate, a visual feast full of all the tips you need to transform seeds into mighty fruit, vegetables, and herbs, and to cook your home-grown ingredients.

7+ years
Parents/carers must attend but do not need a ticket.
This event has taken place
ActivityWild Swimming in the River Wye

Event 47

Wild Swimming in the River Wye

–  Meet at By the Wye
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Come for a wild swim in the Wye with adventure and wild swimming specialist Angela Jones. The author of Wild Swimming the River Wye is passionate about protecting and respecting the river, its environment and wildlife. She shows how to engage in wild swimming with love and respect, testing the water for cleanliness and observing when it’s safe, before leading a guided wild swim session. Beginners and seasoned swimmers alike will gain a wealth of knowledge, including tips on acclimation, water safety, equipment, technique, reading the river and undercurrents.

You will meet Angela on the banks of the river at By the Wye Glamping Site, HR3 5RS, located just past the main bridge into Hay on the B4351
(What3Words : lifestyle.waving.cavalier).

The session starts at 2.30pm and ends at 4.30pm at the river.

There is no parking at the site, please park in one of the designated carparks around town.

Please bring swimming gear and towel. Water shoes and wetsuits optional. There are no changing facilities by the river, so we recommend donning swimming costumes in advance, worn under loose clothing. Please do not don wetsuits in advance. Bring a thermos or drink and warm clothes for after the swim. Wetsuits can be provided on loan for £5 with prior notice – contact angela@swimwildwye.co.uk.
This event has taken place
TalkMichael Sandel

Event 48

Michael Sandel

Hay Festival Members Lecture: Ethics, Democracy and Markets

–  Global Stage
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In our modern world democracy and ethics aren’t always a perfect pair. Throw in the financial markets, and societies built on supposed meritocracy and the result is rising inequality, anger and frustration. Philosopher Michael J Sandel, who teaches political philosophy at Harvard University, gives an insight into how we reconfigure our thinking and our societies. Sandel’s course ‘Justice’ was the first Harvard course to be made freely available online and on television and has been viewed by tens of millions of people. He is author of What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets, Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? and The Tyranny of Merit.

This event has taken place
 
ConversationBlindboy Boatclub talks to Horatio Clare

Event 49

Blindboy Boatclub talks to Horatio Clare

Topographia Hibernica

–  Wye Stage
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Driving with a donkey stuffed in the back seat; jackdaws pecking brains out through the roof of a confessional box; cat piss and astronauts. This is the world not as you see it, but as it is, twisted from the maverick mind of Blindboy. Stories of the strange unsettlings in the souls of men caught in between the past and the possible; stories of heart-blinding rage and disquieting compassion. The satirist and musician reaches 1.2 million monthly listeners through his show The Blindboy Podcast, which the New York Times has called “a cultural phenomenon”. His new book takes its title from a twelfth-century English manuscript, which dehumanised the people and culture of Ireland to facilitate domination.

This event has taken place
ConversationLynne Jones and Farhana Yamin

Event 50

Lynne Jones and Farhana Yamin

People Power for Climate Justice

–  Spring Stage
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Doctor and aid worker Lynne Jones, and lawyer and climate activist Farhana Yamin, a key architect of the Paris climate agreement, discuss the rise and methods of nonviolent action for political change. In Jones’ book Sorry for the Inconvenience but This is an Emergency she offers a ground-level account of the past five years of UK protests, exploring how and why ordinary citizens have adopted extraordinary methods to confront the climate and nature crises. As one of the world’s most accomplished movement lawyers, Yamin provides both inspiration and a compass for the way movements can use the law – and must sometimes break it – to bring about social justice. The concept of movement lawyering was first proposed by the US Center for Constitutional Rights a decade ago. She shares her expertise in an essay in the collection The Revolution Will Not Be Litigated.

This event has taken place
ActivityAshleigh Nugent

Event 51

Ashleigh Nugent

Verse and Venture: Exploring Nature Through Poetry

–  Meeting Place on Festival Site
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Immerse yourself in the inspiring Welsh countryside with poet, playwright and rapper Ashleigh Nugent, Creative Director of RiseUp, a Manchester-based organisation that empowers individuals to better their circumstances, prospects and wellbeing. In a unique event curated by the Black British Book Festival, you’re invited to write lines that capture the essence of the natural world, inspired by your surroundings, allowing nature to infuse depth into your writing. Let Nugent’s live poetry performance transport you to new realms of imagination under the open sky of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

Please wear appropriate footwear and outdoor gear. We regret we cannot accommodate dogs on these walks.
This event has taken place
ConversationBBC Radio 4: Just One Thing

Event 425

BBC Radio 4: Just One Thing

–  Exchange Marquee
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In this special edition of BBC R4 podcast just One Thing, Michael Mosley speaks with Professor Tanya Byron, consultant clinical psychologist, broadcaster and author. Recorded live at Hay festival, we hear the top tips that Professor Byron swears by to improve and maintain good mental health and wellbeing. What are the best ways to improve our resilience to enable us to grow mentally stronger?

This event has taken place
ConversationLenny Henry talks to Mic Lord

Event F9

Lenny Henry talks to Mic Lord

Clash of the Superkids

–  Discovery Stage
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Join the award-winning and much-loved author, comedian and actor for a fun-filled event centred on his action-packed children’s books, The Boy With Wings and The Book of Legends. His latest title, Clash of the Superkids, sees the return of Tunde Wilkinson, an ordinary boy who happens also to be a winged superhero. Lenny chats to compère Mic Lord, a theatre maker, MC and recording artist, all about Tunde’s impossible mission and super powers, and reveals an extract from the book.

9+ years
This event has taken place
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