The Welsh literary festival, Hay Festival, is making a grand return this year with an incredible list of talent.
According to a press release, Hay Festival is the “world’s leading festival of ideas, bringing readers and writers together in sustainable events to inspire, examine and entertain”.
The event will be bringing some of the biggest names across literature, music, comedy and more to the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Stormzy, who launched his #Merky Books publishing imprint in 2018, said: “It all started with books for me. As a kid in school, I fell in love with literature and it sparked a life-long journey with words and writing, which led into my career as a songwriter and a musician.
“I’m really excited to pass on this passion at Hay Festival, celebrate our incredible #Merky Books writers, and inspire the next generation of storytellers. Can’t wait to see you guys there!”
Hay Festival CEO Julie Finch has described the event as “an international symbol of hope for the collective, creative imagination and a better future.”
Finch added: “During the day our conversations will grapple and engage with the world around us, seeking solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our times while inspiring the next generation of world-changers. And in the evening we’ll laugh, dance and exchange stories in a place like nowhere else. Join us.”
Pop sensation Dua Lipa will host a live recording of her At Your Service podcast at Hay Festival 2023.
“I have wanted to explore the bookshops of Hay and experience the literary atmosphere of the Hay Festival for such a long time,” the singer explained in a press statement.
“So I’m thrilled that I will be there [this] year to share stories on stage and off with some of my favourite authors, and to soak up the inspiration alongside my fellow book lovers. I can’t wait to see you there!”
Tickets are now on sale for Friends of Hay Festival and you can check out an overview of the line-up below.
Appearances from writers include Margaret Atwood, Barbara Kingsolver, Eleanor Catton, Max Porter, Jonathan Coe, Leïla Slimani, Xiaolu Guo, Fflur Dafydd, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Alys Conran, Richard Ford, Jojo Moyes, Horatio Clare, Natalie Haynes, Richard Osman, Douglas Stuart, Elif Shafak, Victoria Belim, Katherine May; poets Simon Armitage, Owen Sheers, Carol Ann Duffy, Rufus Mufasa, Michael Rosen; YA star Alice Oseman; children’s heroes Cressida Cowell, Jacqueline Wilson, Julia Donaldson, and Connor Allen.
Musicians Stormzy, Dua Lipa, The Proclaimers, the Levellers, Judi Jackson, Baaba Maal, and Zhadan and the Dogs will also be attending.
And, that’s not all — comedians Dara Ó Briain, Tom Allen, Jason Byrne, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Josie Long, and Isy Suttie will be appearing.
Other notable names such as Helena Bonham Carter, Richard E. Grant, Sadiq Khan, chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance, Kate Bingham; journalists George Monbiot, Alastair Campbell, Marina Hyde, Gary Younge, Munroe Bergdorf, Lyse Doucet, Jon Snow, Mary Berry, Jack Monroe, Ruth Rogers, Andi Oliver, Prue Leith and many more.
Hay Festival has unveiled the full programme for its 36th spring edition in Hay-on-Wye, with more than 500 in-person events over 11 days, 25 May-4 June 2023.
Tickets are on sale now to Friends of Hay Festival which you can buy here.
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