upfront
HAY FESTIVAL
Danny Champken picks through another eagerly anticipated Hay Festival lineup , as the cultural hustle and bustle returns to the famous book town . pics : JEFF MORGAN
Staged in the picturesque border town of Hay-On-Wye ( famous for its secondhand book stores ), the Hay Festival ( of Literature And The Arts ) is the thinking person ’ s festival . Aiming to “ inspire , delight and entertain ,” Hay carries within its history an endless roll call of famous and intellectual names who have spoken at the festival . Once described by Bill Clinton as “ the Woodstock of the mind ”, the festival has garnered an impressive and unstoppable reputation ever since its conception . The traditional programme of literary names , writers , politicians , economists , scientists and other great thinkers has diversified over the years to incorporate television personalities , comedians and musicians , thereby appealing to a wider audience and offering a far more varied , and customisable experience to all . With previous names ranging from national treasure Stephen Fry to current Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy , and from flamboyant Celebrity Big Brother winner Julian Clary to former Archbishop Of Canterbury Rowan Williams ( who will appear again this year ), it ’ s evident that all manner of enquiring minds will be buzzed by the offerings of the Hay Festival . In the 25 years since the festival ’ s inception , Hay has developed and expanded , especially in recent years , with international sister festivals , a supporting children ’ s festival , and all manner of music , film and
BUZZ 12 comedy entertainment added to the bill . Telegraphsponsored once again , the festival expects 80,000 visitors to visit over the 11 days . Lured by the promise of major names ( and minds ) the world over , visitors will experience a packed programme of events in a beautiful setting . This year ’ s festival will honour Welsh poet RS Thomas 100 years since his birth , and also mark the 10th anniversary of the Iraq War visiting the subject in a variety of sessions and debates . Notably , Swedish politician and UN weapons inspector Hans Blix will lecture on the topic with reference to his fruitless search for weapons of mass destruction . Meanwhile , star appearances this year will be in the form of actors Rupert Everett and Robert Lindsay , musicians Cerys Matthews , KT Tunstall and Noah And The Whale , and comedians Dara O ‘ Briain and Miranda Hart amongst others . Quite the celebrity attraction , one might say . It ’ s interesting to consider where Miranda ’ s style of slapstick humour may factor into such an erudite event ; perhaps we are to witness the precursor to her hotly anticipated stand-up tour of 2014 amongst the insight she gives into her career in comedy and drama . The most exciting of drama will of course take place in the spirited debates that the Hay Festival is famous for . The hot topic of press freedom will be tackled in conversation with American journalist Carl
Bernstein , who in 1972 contributed to breaking the Watergate story for the Washington Post . He will also discuss the Obama administration , and key American anniversaries ; Gettysburg ( 150 years ), Vietnam ( 50 years ) and the assassination of President John F . Kennedy ( 50 years ). The host of authors in attendance at this year ’ s festival , including Vikas Swarup ( of Slumdog Millionaire success ), Cressida Cowell ( writer of beloved children ’ s tale How To Train Your Dragon ), will be joined by the as yet un-awarded winner of the Man Booker Prize 2013 . In addition to the centenary of RS Thomas , to be celebrated in particular with poems written in response to his own , the bicentenary of Jane Austen will also be marked in the form of examinations of her work and of the woman herself , and by a comedy play in Austen ’ s style . The Hay Festival ’ s almost overwhelmingly packed programme this year offers quite enough to keep even the keenest of minds entertained for 11 days with equal servings of culture , politics , entertainment and Hay ’ s delightful surroundings .
Hay Festival , Hay-On-Wye , Thurs 23 May- Sun 2 June . Tickets : prices vary . Info : 01497 822629 / www . hayfestival . com