Closing the tribute series dedicated to Roberto Bolaño – celebrating half a century of outstanding writing – three hugely popular novelists read from his works. Manuel Vilas, equally skilled at poetry and novel-writing; Belén Gopegui, an elegant stylist with brilliant used of metaphor; and Luisgé Martín, who is divided between the short story and the novel, receiving awards for both, including the Llanes de Literatura de Viajes Prize this year.

Co-organised and produced by AC/E (Acción Cultural Española)

The ZEN project is looking into ways of reducing the impact that festivals and events have on the natural and built environment. Drop in, find out more, and share your knowledge and experiences.

Shiver me timbers! Once upon a time, a mysterious message in a bottle said someone needed help; help from a certain bold, brave knight. So the brilliant Sir Charlie Stinky Socks, his cat Envelope and his good grey mare find a ship to rescue the messenger. Join the author for a musical, storytelling journey complete with pirates, a sea monster, and a delicious surprise.

Menna Elfyn (Wales), Alan Spence (Scotland), Peter Fallon and Breda Wall Ryan (Ireland) share their contribution to this unique collection of poetry honouring the United Nations International Day of Happiness.

A conversation with two masters of fiction: Tóibín, author of Brooklyn and House of Names and the American novelist André Aciman, author of Call Me by Your Name, the story of a sudden and powerful romance that blossoms between an adolescent boy and a summer guest at his parents’ cliffside mansion on the Italian Riviera. The film of the book has made the love story a modern classic.

In the context of the Governor of the Bank of England's recent warnings about the financial risks from climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, the economics journalist Paul Mason and head of media for Greenpeace, Ben Stewart talk to Prospect Magazine's Serena Kutchinsky and previews the UN Climate Change Summit in Paris.

The day after the award is announced in London, the winner travels to Hay to talk to the chair of judges about her or his work. The shortlisted writers are Juan Tomás Ávila, Jenny Erpenbeck, Tomás González, Daniel Kehlmann, Erwin Mortier and Haruki Murakami.

Liam Ó Maonlaí is one of Ireland’s best-loved musicians and singers, both in rock and traditional music. Bono once described Liam as ‘The best white boy soul singer in the world’, and he has been also been described as one of Ireland’s best Sean Nos (traditional Irish) singers. Spanning over twenty years, Liam’s career has seen him achieve number one hits in over twenty countries, from playing with Aboriginal musicians in the Australian outback to recording with some of the world’s best-known musicians including Carlos Nunes, Donal Lunny, U2 and Van Morrison, to name but a few. A master pianist, Liam also performs on guitar, harp, tin whistle and bodhrán.

In this last bicentenary session, the academic and author plays with the engaging and entertaining puzzles of the novels and Austen’s life.  What are the right and wrong ways to propose marriage? What do the characters call each other, and why? And which important Austen characters never speak? Join us for a delightful celebration of the genius of English literature’s greatest comedian. There will be prizes for best frock coat and bonnet.

Marcus Sedgwick has established himself as a widely-admired writer of young adult fiction, and won several awards including the Printz Award, the Booktrust Teenage Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award. Sedgwick reflects on his popular, eclectic work with British Council Director Rod Pryde.

Simultaneous translation from English into Spanish

The distinguished anthropologist presents a dazzling, panoramic account of the history and achievements of Native North Americans and why they matter today. He suggests that no understanding of the wider world is possible without comprehending the original inhabitants of the United States and Canada: Native Americans, First Nations and Arctic peoples.

Jones explores the dependency of all life and systems on Earth – ecological, biological and physical – on our nearest star. He explores the connections between those systems, and the connections between the various disciplines that study them, from astronomy to cancer prevention, from microbiology to the study of sleep. He also charts his own work and interests over fifty years against developments in a wide range of fields, showing how what was once seen as a narrow specialism has become a subject of vast scientific, social and political significance. Jones is Professor of Genetics at University College London and President of the Galton Institute.

For 50 years, and from research labs to Cape Canaveral, from Space agencies to Downing Street, Fred Taylor has been at the forefront of the technological adventure of the Space Age. Instruments and experiments he helped imagine and build have travelled into Deep Space and surveyed the Solar System. He is now Halley Professor of Physics Emeritus at Oxford.

Join the Australian Children’s Laureate to learn how to draw three of his crazy but lovable characters: Mr Chicken, Old Tom and Horrible Harriet. He will also teach budding young artists how to create their very own characters.

The distinguished science writer explains why the human brain became so clever; how it controls everything from breathing, sleeping and seeing to identity, imagination, pleasure and pain; and what will happen when the brain integrates with computers or the latest genetic discoveries.

Our biology is set up to work in partnership with the sun. From our sleep cycles to our immune systems and our mental health, access to sunlight is crucial for living a happy and fulfilling life. New research suggests that our sun exposure over a lifetime – even before we were born – may shape our risk of developing a range of different illnesses, from depression to diabetes. Geddes explores the extraordinary significance of sunlight, from ancient solstice celebrations to modern sleep labs, and from the unexpected health benefits of sun exposure to what the Amish know about sleep that the rest of us don’t.

Winston Spencer Churchill was never far from the world's attention. Acclaimed historian Max Arthur shares revealing photographs and stories from Churchill’s front-line experiences as a soldier and journalist in India, Sudan and Cuba, to the Boer War and World War I; through to his unparalleled political career and his ‘finest hour’, leading Britain during World War II. Chaired by Peter Florence.