The Latest Breaking News from Hay Festival

Author Salman Rushdie joins Hay Festival line-up

The Indian-born British author will speak at the literary and arts festival in June to discuss his recent books, Knife and Victory City.

Evening Standard · May 5, 2025

Stephen Fry’s ‘vocal double’ to be used in AI installation at Hay festival

The actor, who has spoken about artificial intelligence on multiple occasions, said the installation ‘reveals both the wonders and pitfalls of AI’

The Guardian - UK · Apr 24, 2025

James Corden and Ruth Jones to discuss new book at Hay Festival

The Gavin & Stacey creators will discuss the origins of the sitcom, its success and its record-breaking Christmas special at the Hay Festival.

Evening Standard · Mar 26, 2025

Some arts festivals could close amid ‘significant financial challenges’

The Festivals Forward report surveyed 101 events such as the Edinburgh Fringe, BBC Proms, Cheltenham Festivals and Hay Festival.

The Independent UK · Nov 18, 2024

Book festivals previously sponsored by Baillie Gifford seek donations

Partnerships ended over the investment firm’s ties to fossil fuel and Israel, leaving nine book festivals including Hay, Edinburgh and Cheltenham in need of funding

The Guardian - UK · Jul 2, 2024

UK within British empire is like last person left at a party, says David Olusoga

Historian tells Hay festival audience that Britain needs to ‘liberate itself and have independence day from its own history’

The Guardian - UK · Jun 2, 2024

Stephen Fry criticises MCC at Hay Festival: ‘Stinking of privilege and classism’

Actor and writer said legacy cricket club was full of ‘betroot-coloured gentlemen’

The Independent UK · May 31, 2024

Trump beating Biden in 2020 would have made the world a better place, says political expert

A different result would mean that ‘American politics would now be moving on’, David Runciman told Hay Festival audiences

The Independent UK · May 28, 2024

How Harry can repair his relationship with King Charles, royal insider reveals

The King finds his rift with his youngest son ‘unsettling’, royal biographer Robert Hardman told Hay Festival audiences

The Independent UK · May 28, 2024

James O’Brien: I wouldn’t be where I am without private school

The LBC host went to fee-paying Ampleforth because his dad wanted to buy him a ‘golden ticket’, he told Hay Festival audiences

The Independent UK · May 27, 2024