Our monthly 'Meet the Haymaker' series shares stories of the change-makers at the heart of Hay Festival Global and the impact it has had on their lives. This month, hear from Senthil Kumaran Raja Kumar, a former Hay Festival Academy participant who now works as an artist manager.
What does Hay Festival Global mean to you?
To me, it represents a chosen family. Hay Festival is a place where kindred spirits meet and solid friendships are forged, and I believe this is because of its emphasis on connection through dialogue. It functions as a safe 'third space' where people congregate to envision a different reality to what exists outside it, and so anyone can feel a sense of belonging regardless of who they are and where they come from. It is important to note that this is not incidental - this is the result of conscious effort and hard work, and stands as an example of what is possible if we emulate this approach in other areas of our lives
What’s your favourite Festival memory?
I was part of the Hay Academy last year, which meant that I was lucky enough to experience the festival alongside a group of amazing young people who were all passionate about literature and writing. We spent many a day exploring the site, perusing the shelves of the bookshop, buying sweet treats, and sitting in deck chairs watching the iconic flags waving in the wind. Time moves so quickly during the festival period, but despite this I found it surprisingly easy to stay present in these moments - I suppose that's not hard to do when you're surrounded by people who make you laugh so hard your chest burns.
Have you ever changed your mind on something having been to a Hay Festival event?
I found Hisham Matar's event about his book 'My Friends' to be very eye-opening. Sitting in the crowd with my best friend who had come to visit me, both of us having just graduated from university, I began to realise how powerful friendship can be and how it pushes us to be the best version of ourselves. It's something most people understand intuitively, but Hisham was able to put into words the permanence of a platonic connection and the mark it leaves on you even when you say goodbye. It made me more conscious of the relationships that I build with people, and how little time we get with the ones we love.
Who was the best speaker or performer you saw on a Hay Festival stage?
The best speaker that I had the pleasure of listening to was Zeinab Badawi, who was a real inspiration - I found her voice and ideas refreshing as there was, and still is, a lack of diversity among historians who write about the global south. Her assertion that Africans should be the ones to tell their own story resonated with me because a lot of the narratives around my home country of Malaysia are thrust onto us inadvertently. The ease and confidence with which she made this argument served as a reminder that I should find strength in my own voice when telling my own story through my writing.
What advice do you have for a first-timer at the Festival?
My advice would be to let your guard down - this is a place where you will not be judged or looked down on no matter who you are. Allow yourself to experience everything the festival has to offer and leave your fear by the door.
Sum up Hay Festival Global in five words or less…
The potential of humanity