From Denmark to Colombia: the iconic Hay Festival celebrates 30th anniversary by going global

Over the next 12 months, seven Hay Festival editions will bring readers and writers together around the world to share stories and ideas. The events will feature Nobel Prize winners novelists, scientists, politicians, historians and musicians, who will talk and engage with audiences in a dynamic exchange of ideas and performances. The sustainable festivals invite participants to imagine the world as it is and as it might be.

Hay Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary, as it was dreamt up around a kitchen table in the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye in 1987. Thirty years later, the unique marriage of exacting conversations and entertainment for all ages has travelled to editions in 30 locations around the world. Acclaimed actor and writer, Stephen Fry,  is president of the organisation.

Two strands will form the spine of the festival’s international programming over the next year. The first, 30 Reformations, marks 500 years since Martin Luther sparked a theological revolution with his list of propositions, 95 Theses. In honour of that, world-leading writers and thinkers will imagine a better world in conversations, lectures and essays.

The second, Hay 30, is a selection of young novelists, scientists, philosophers, performers and activists who will help imagine and shape the world over the next 30 years. The festivals will also celebrate Bogotá39-2017, a selection of the best fiction writers under 40 from across Latin America.

Details for Hay Festival 2017/2018

Hay Festival Querétaro, Mexico: 7– 10 September 2017
Hay Festival Segovia, Spain: 16–24 September 2017
International Children’s Literature Hay Festival Aarhus, Denmark: 26–29 October 2017
Hay Festival Arequipa, Peru: 9–12 November 2017
Hay Festival Wales Winter Weekend, UK: 23 – 26 November 2017
Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias, Colombia: 25–28 January 2018
Hay Festival Wales, UK: 24 May – 3 June 2018

Keep up to date with Hay Festival’s news on its website.