Our monthly 'Meet the Haymaker' series shares stories of the change-makers at the heart of Hay Festival and the impact it has had on their lives. This month, get to know writer Carlos Fonseca, contributor to our Unveiling Stories collection.
What does Hay Festival Global mean to you?
As a Latin American, it means so much.
Hay Festival has branches in México, Perú, and Cartagena, so I think it has come to symbolize a sort of unity within the Latin American literary scene. A place of encounters, where Latin American writers from all over come to know each other and discuss their books with a varied audience. I think we are very grateful for what Hay Festival has brought to our region.
What’s your favourite Festival memory?
I think having been part of the Hay Festival 2017 Bogotá39 selection of Latin American writers under 40 was special. Spending a couple of days with all of them in Cartagena that year, was a great experience and one which I think helped us all grow as writers. Since then, we have all stayed in touch, reading each other and writing in response to such shared readings.
Have you ever changed your mind on something having been to a Hay Festival event?
I recently had an interesting experience: hearing Óscar Guardiola Rivera speaking onstage about how recent Latin American female writers have moved beyond the impasses of historical melancholy, I became convinced that it was time for me to try to write against melancholy, rather than with it.
Who was the best speaker or performer you saw on a Hay Festival stage?
I truly enjoyed sharing an event with Jenny Erpenbeck, where we discussed her novel Kairos. It is such a wonderful book, and we shared so many ideas. It is not every day do you get to share a space with those whose work you read admiringly.
What advice do you have for a first-timer at the Festival?
To have fun.
To try to go to as many events as possible and to participate. Most of us love it when the audience is engaged and asking questions.
Sum up Hay Festival Global in five words or less…
That’s a hard one. I’ll say: “Ideas and literature made fun.”