Hay Festival Segovia 2022

How do you write a news story? How do you choose a good photo? What is a headline? The El País journalism workshop for children offers two sessions on journalism through simple activities that require nothing more than the wish to tell a story. In this hands-on workshop, the students of CEIP El Peñascal will choose their own story, learn how to write it in the form of a news item, and create a front page that they will take home as a souvenir.

How do new generations experience their relationship to identity, history, love or the concept of revolution? Yara Rodrigues Fowler is one of the most emblematic up-and-coming British writers on the current literary scene. She was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award for her debut, Stubborn Archivist. The Financial Times named her as one of "the 30 most exciting young people on the planet" as one of the designers of a bot that encouraged Tinder users to register to vote in the 2017 UK general election. Fowler's new novel, There are more things, revolves around the political awakening of Melissa and Catarina, two London flatmates with roots in Brazil.

Hanan Issa is a writer, poet, and artist from Wales. Her debut pamphlet My Body Can House Two Hearts was published by Burning Eye Books in 2019. Her work has been performed and published in a variety of places including BBC Wales, ITV Wales, Huffington Post, StAnza festival and Poetry Wales. Her winning monologue was performed at the Bush Theatre in 2018. She is the co-founder of the Where I’m Coming From open mic collective. She is currently working on short film commissions with BBC New Creatives and Ffilm Cymru Wales. Hanan Issa has been named Wales fifth national poet, making her the first Muslim to hold the title. Hanan has recently been awarded the 2022/23 Cymrodoriaeth Rhyngwladol Hay Festival / Hay Festival International Fellowship.

For her part, Xita Rubert has won over readers and critics with a fascinating debut, My Days with the Kopps, in which she wonders whether growing up is to enter a fiction of no-return. Rubert graduated in Philosophy and Literature from the University of Warwick, after studying at universities such as the Sorbonne. She currently holds a PhD in Comparative Literature, on a scholarship from Princeton University, where she teaches on the relationship between philosophy, literature and medicine.

They will be in conversation with Ludovic Assémat, Head of Arts at the British Council in Spain.

Once the event has finished, the authors will sign books in the booth outside IE University.

With simultaneous translation from English to Spanish

A herd of 400 Castilian sheep belonging to local shepherd Mr. Rafael Montes will be walked by Daudy and Novoselov to the area beneath the historic Roman aquaduct in Segovia, in a participatory performance proving the perfection of Einstein’s Unification Theory.

Grand Unified Theory (GUT) is a model in particle physics in which, at high energies, the three gauge interactions of the Standard Model comprising the electromagnetic, weak, and strong forces are merged into a single force.

The sheep, each inscribed with SÍ or NO (YES or NO), will form random groups and arrangements, proving perfectly to us the possibility of individuals living peacefully together, however disparate their point of view.

The paint used to write the words on the sheep's coat is ecological and completely harmless to the animal.

A flock of sheep painted with numbers at Daudy and Novoselov’s recent WONDERCHAOS exhibition at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, UK caused a stir in the worlds of mathematics, science and engineering, by creating more random numbers in a month than there are atoms in this universe. As the sheep passed each other, thousands of different number combinations were created, forming in effect a living random number generator. A film by Daudy and directed by Gautier Deblonde illustrating this phenomenon, entitled ALTERNATIVE RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR: THE SHEEP OF MR. CHARLES PLATTS (2021), will also be premiered at the festival.

Can literature counteract the negative consequences for society of fake news? Nativel Preciado and Antonio Lucas, two writers who are both journalists and authors, will try to answer this question from the point of view of literary figures, and also talk about how those who work in the media can fight the impact of fake news and move towards quality journalism. Nativel Preciado has had a long career as a journalist, going back to her coverage of the Transition to Democracy. This columnist and public speaker has published around twenty books. Her latest novel, El santuario de los elefantes, won the Azorín Prize. Antonio Lucas is a well-known cultural journalist, Editor of the El Mundo supplement, La Esfera de Papel. He is also a distinguished poet, having been recognized with the Loewe Prize for his book Los desengaños.

They will talk to Daniel Fernández, editor and CEO of Cedro.

Event in Spanish

After the event, the writers will be signing books at the stand on Calle Real

This summer's heat waves, water scarcity, fires, have put the effects of climate change at the center of the debate more than ever. Meteorological phenomena and interventions on nature are causing alert about our future and that of the planet. Butterflies are disappearing. The deterioration of their habitats due to the use of pesticides, industrial fertilizers and monoculture farming has meant that the numbers of these insects have dropped by 80% in the last fifty years, and the threat of their disappearance is becoming ever more real. The problem goes far beyond the sad loss of some wonderful insects: this is an ecological catastrophe. The renowned evolutionary biologist and ecologist Josef H. Reichholf, winner of the Sigmund Freud Award for Scientific Literature, has been studying lepidopterans for years, and is the author of The Disappearance of Butterflies, a fascinating work of non-fiction about these insects and a cry for help in the face of the disaster of their decline. For his part, Joaquin Araujo, naturalist, author, screenwriter and series director, who stands out among many for having been the first Spaniard to be awarded the UN Global 500 and the Wilderness Writing Award and for being the only Spaniard to be awarded twice the National Prize for the Environment, makes us aware of the biological and poetic importance of water, through his latest book “Somos agua que piensa” "We are water that thinks".

Both will converse with Isabela del Alcázar, Global Head of Sustainability at the IE University. As one example projects under her office: The Nurture Hub, a project founded by two students of the School of Architecture and Design and their mentor to create a space for relax for the students, enhance the biodiversity, raise awareness and attract indigenous pollinators, such as butterflies.

Once the event has finished, the authors will sign books in the booth outside IE University.

Simultaneous translation from German to Spanish and vice versa

Emotions have played an important role in the development of civilisations throughout history, from Ancient Greece to the present day. Richard Firth-Godbehere, author of A Human History of Emotion: How the Way We Feel Built the World We Know, his expertise in psychology, neuroscience, art, philosophy and religion to show that some of the most exceptional moments in history were not about events, but about feelings: the origins of philosophy, the birth of Christianity, the fall of Rome, the scientific revolution or the great wars of the 20th Century would not be understood without them. We must therefore ask ourselves to what extent emotions and emotional intelligence are important for our generations. Along with Lee Newman, behavioural science expert and Dean of IE Business School, he will discuss how emotions drive our behaviour and decision-making.

They will be joined by Jonathan Moules, journalist, newsletter editor and writer on The Week Ahead for the Financial Times.

Once the event has finished, the authors will sign books in the booth outside IE University.

Event in English with simultaneous translation into Spanish

The war in Ukraine and its consequences for Europe pose a new challenge for the continent, while the effects of the pandemic are still present. Germany is more than ever the key factor in the complex scenario of security and energy transition and the need for European unity in the face of Putin's aggression against Ukraine.

Professor of International Public Law and International Relations, lawyer and writer, José María Beneyto has been spokesperson in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish Congress of Deputies, and Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

He will be in conversation with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Spain, analysing the most contemporary issues of major importance for the future of Europe. Previously Maria Margarete Gosse was the Undersecretary of the German Foreign Ministry (Director of the Central Division), the highest administrative officer of the Ministry. She has dealt among others with issues of immigration and equality policies.

Event in English

Innovation and progress in society cannot be understood without bringing in a profound knowledge of the humanities and of culture. Hay Festival Segovia has invited two innovators in their fields: Pablo Isla, the new Chair of the IE University Advisory Board, was considered as one of the world’s top CEOs by international management magazines during his time at the head of Inditex; and Rodrigo Cortés, a director, actor, producer, screenwriter, aphorist and novelist with an impressive international career. Nothing seems to be beyond this writer, closely linked to Salamanca. Aged just 25 he was already filming videos for Alejandro Amenábar and he has not hesitated to undertake projects with Hollywood stars such as Robert de Niro, Sigourney Weaver and Uma Thurman, or a cast of over ten young international actors for his latest film, Love Gets a Room.

Once the event has finished, the authors will sign books in the booth outside IE University.

Event in Spanish

The European Union Prize for Literature is a European level initiative that recognises the best emerging fiction writers from countries participating in the Creative Europe programme. In the latest edition, the Spanish candidate, who received a special mention from the jury for his epistolary novel, Los días perfectos, was Jacobo Bergareche. He will take part in the Hay Festival, accompanied by three other authors who have attracted the attention of critics and readers with their debuts: Bibiana Candia, author of Azucre; Silvia Hidalgo, who made her debut with Yo, mentira and Aurora Freijo Corbeira, author of La ternera. All of them will share their experiences and opinions of the narrative art. Chaired by Ainhoa Sanchez, manager of literature and publishing at AC/E (Accion Cultural Española).

Event in Spanish

Authors will sign their works after the event at the stand on Calle Real.

Feminism has come to change the way we look at the world. How is this perspective influencing the detective novel? Can we talk about a change of paradigm, with feminism altering the way violence and pleasure are narrated? These matters are put on the table at an event featuring the writers Mónica Rouanet and Ana Requena. Rouanet is a psychologist, educator and author of publishing successes such as Despiértame cuando llegue septiembre and No oigo a los niños jugar. Her latest novel, the thriller Nada importante, deals with sexist violence and femicide. Requena specializes in gender matters, and is chief writer on the subject with eldiario.es, a news outlet that she co-founded. Her blog Micromachismos has obtained several awards. She is the author of the books of essay Cómo identificar los micromachismos and Feminismo vibrante. Si no hay placer no es nuestra revolución.

They talk to Dr Laura Ventura, a professor of Literature at Carlos III University who writes for the Argentine newspaper La Nación.

Once the event is over, both authors will sign books at the Library.

Event in Spanish

The discovery by the Russian-British scientist, Sir Konstantin Novoselov, of graphene, won him the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010. His discovery brings us a material that has numerous applications in our daily lives (in thermal and fire-resistant clothing, for example) and it has made him known around the world. He is currently working with the Centre for Advanced 2D Materials at the National University of Singapore, where he carries out research on intelligent materials that are able to mutate to adapt to certain requirements. However, Novoselov is not the kind of scientist who never leaves the laboratory. Quite the opposite, he pays great attention to the geopolitics of technologies and is an advocate against the concentration of all stages of production in a single country, a trend that is growing after the pandemic. He says that all of us become poorer in this way, and his position is that a region is strong not when it leads in a particular technology, but when it is able to educate, attract and retain talents able to design various technologies, since it is not yet clear what will be necessary for our future.

Novoselov will talk to Diego del Alcázar Benjumea, Executive Vice-president of IE University and the man in charge of this university’s technological immersion.

With simultaneous translation from English to Spanish and vice versa

Volver a Contar: Latin American Writers in the British Museum Archives is an international collaboration between the British Museum and the Hay Festival, which explores 10,000 years of human history in the Americas. The project has involved inviting a group of writers to explore narratives about the past by means of a collection of Latin American objects never seen by the public in the British Museum. Carlos Fonseca (Costa Rica and Puerto Rico), author of Austral; Lina Meruane (Chile), author of Sistema nervioso and Cristina Rivera Garza (Mexico) author of El invencible verano de Liliana will talk to the journalist Andrea Aguilar (Spain) in order to present this anthology of short stories published by Anagrama, which mingles rigorous research and fiction in order for us to better understand our history and try to resolve the gaps in the historical narrative.

Event in Spanish

After this event, Anagrama will offer a drink to celebrate the launch of the Volver a contar anthology

The current international geopolitical situation makes it imperative to highlight, explore and debate the role of European values today. The Hay Festival invites Esteban González Pons, writer and MEP for the Partido Popular, a figure with a long political career, to do so along with Sara Bieger, representing the 14 European Chambers of Commerce in Spain.

A lawyer and writer, González Pons has held numerous posts in national and European politics. He has been an MEP since 2014, which gives him a broad insight to the issues to be addressed. Sara Bieger is managing partner of Alto Partners Executive Search and president of the Franco-Spanish Chamber of Commerce.

They will talk to the journalist Sandrine Morel of the French newspaper Le Monde.

Event in Spanish

The Mexican psychiatrist Orlando Mondragón is the first poet aged under 30 to win the prestigious Loewe Prize. His award-winning poetry book, Cuadernos de patología humana, deals with illness and death, but it is also concerned with writing and resurrection. Mondragón, who works as a hospital psychiatrist, seeks beauty through difficult situations, often ones that seem incommunicable. He is also the author of the book Epicedio al padre, winner of the Alejandro Aura Prize for Young Poets.

Mondragón will talk to Antonio Lucas, author of, among other books, Los desengaños, for which he was awarded the Loewe Prize in 2014.

Event in Spanish

Signing stands in front of the IE University building

The name of Georges Simenon is linked to the astronomical figures racked up by the sales of almost two hundred titles (191 to be exact): 550 million copies sold to many millions of readers around the world. A big part of this stellar success is Inspector Maigret, who features in almost a hundred of his novels. Now the name of this prolific and bestselling writer, born in Belgium and who lived in Paris for much of his life, is becoming literary news again thanks to new editions of some of his novels, published together by Anagrama and Acantilado, as well as with to recent release of the film Maigret by Patrice Leconte, starring Gerard Depardieu. Talking about Simenon and the revived interest in his life and work will be his son John Simenon, who manages his father’s bequest and has been involved in the production of some of the films based on his work.

He will talk to Jesús García Calero, Editor of ABC cultural.

The event will be presented by Florence VanHolsbeeck, economic and commercial counsellor and representative of Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI).

With simultaneous translation from English to Spanish and vice versa

John Simenon will visit the stand on Calle Real organized by Wallonia Region, Belgium, which will prepare a quiz based on the work of his father.

The Premio Nacional de Poesía Viva #LdeLírica was created by El Corte Inglés’ Ámbito Cultural and Piscifactoría Laboratorio de Creación, with Gonzalo Escarpa as director. It was born in 2019 with the aim of tracking national poetic talent. The call for entries starts on Instagram and crosses social media as an “active presence” through its eliminatory rounds, where the public see the finalists’ work in various Ámbito Cultural spaces (in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, Santander and Las Palmas). The award ceremony of the fourth edition, whose winner will be announced on 10 September, will be held at Hay Festival Segovia with the poet Luis Alberto de Cuenca, Ajo Micropoetess and previous winner, the young Cadiz-born Marta Vicente Antolín. Gonzalo Escarpa will present the event.

Event in Spanish

The writer Carmen Mola was born in spring 2017 in Madrid, to three novelist and screenwriter fathers: Jorge Díaz (Cartas a Palacio>, Hospital Central), Agustín Martínez (Monteperdido, La mala hierba) and Antonio Mercero (Hospital Central>, Hache, El final del hombre). This child was born to write, and in just a short time had released her first novel, La novia gitana, followed by La red púrpura and La nena. However, her greatest success so far, and the one that has been responsible for making her creators known to a wider public, is the novel La bestia, which won the 2021 Planeta Prize. This time the story is set in 1834 in Madrid, a city suffering from a cholera epidemic, where a terrible brute (the bestia of the title) is murdering girls who live in poverty. This is a book in which evil and violence play their parts against the backdrop of a country going through a period of political instability. This Hay Festival Segovia event will be a discussion of such gruesome fiction, as well as the adventure of collaborative writing.

Carmen Mola will talk to the journalist Jesús Vigorra, the director and presenter of Canal Sur Radio’s >La mañana de Andalucía.

Once the event has finished, the authors will sign books in the venue.

Event in Spanish.

The House of Hungarian Music, a landmark centre dedicated to music in Budapest's City Park and one of Sou Fujimoto's latest works, opened its doors to the public in January. Martha Thorne, Dean of IE University's School of Architecture, prominent urban planner and former Executive Director of the Pritzker Prize, will welcome one of Japan's most famous award-winning architects to Hay Festival Segovia. Fujimoto has received important awards in his field, and is known for projects as outstanding as the Serpentine Gallery the Pavilion in Kensington Gardens or the Final Wooden House in Kunamoto, Japan. The architect, who perceives his projects as an understanding of the relationship between architecture, nature and the human body, will discuss his work with Martha Thorne. They will also explore their shared passion for design, creativity and the cultural heritage of architecture.

Event in English with simultaneous translation into Spanish.

A brilliant career as a philosopher, writer, academic and professor might be summed up in just one word: wisdom. Emilio Lledó is a wise man, a humanist, and increasingly essential in a world that tends to forget the humanities. He has written dozens of essays on thought, ethics, beauty and freedom, including Filosofía y lenguaje, El silencio de la escritura, Días y libros, Memoria de la ética. He has also received the highest national awards, such as the Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities, and the Gold Medal for Fine Arts, and holds the “lowercase L” chair at the Spanish Academy. Identidad y amistad. Palabras para un mundo posible (Identity and Friendship. Words for a Possible World) is his latest book.

Lledó will be in conversation with Elena Martínez, editor at Taurus publishers.

Event in Spanish

Once the event has finished, the author will sign books in the booth outside IE University.