Our monthly 'Meet the Haymaker' series shares stories of the change-makers at the heart of Hay Festival Global and the impact it has had on their lives. This month, get to know Javier García del Moral, Hay Festival Forum Dallas coordinator.
What does Hay Festival Global mean to you?
A unique opportunity to combine some of the things I treasure most: immersing myself in what I love and exploring the unknown. It’s a chance to give myself time to listen and understand, to share these experiences with friends and those who know them better or differently than I do, and to have lots of fun in the process.
What’s your favourite Festival memory?
My best memories from the Hay Festivals I've attended are always of sitting on a terrace outside a venue, talking about what we've just experienced, discussing and sharing our views on what we just heard. And, of course, from some late-night parties I've attended as well.
Have you ever changed your mind on something having been to a Hay Festival event?
I remember the first time I heard writer and linguist Yasnaya Aguilar talk about the concept of the State or Nation and its ramifications in culture, language, and many things we take for granted. It completely changed the way I understand what a State means, needs, and wants.
Who was the best speaker or performer you saw on a Hay Festival stage?
I'm terrible at picking favorites, but I vividly remember being completely captivated by a conversation with César Aira in Querétaro. It wasn't just what he was saying but the way he was speaking. I could have sat there all weekend, just listening to him—nothing else was on my mind.
What advice do you have for a first-timer at the Festival?
Do the things you love, but always leave room for the unfamiliar. Don't miss the chance to listen to someone talk about something you're not familiar with—exciting things happen there.
Sum up Hay Festival Global in five words or less…
Fun way to get smarter.