Hay Festival 2024

Author Annabelle Hirsch delves into her collection of 101 objects that make up the neglected history of women, in conversation with Countryfile presenter Anita Rani. This quiet, intimate and particular history takes in everything from humble household items to objects of female pleasure and of female subjugation. Readings from Julia Gillard, Helena Kennedy, Miriam Margolyes and Aditi Mittal bring to life these fascinating, too-often-overlooked, manifold histories of women.

Hirsch is a writer and translator; Gillard is former prime minister of Australia; Kennedy is a barrister and a Labour member of the House of Lords; Margolyes is an actor of stage and screen; and Mittal is a comedian and actor.

What can the history of slave revolts teach us about the power of rebellion to tackle the climate crisis? How might understanding the origins of capitalism spark ideas for bringing AI under control? What could we learn from the coffee houses of Georgian London to tame social media? Social philosopher Roman Krznaric looks at 1,000 years of history to help us confront the challenges of the 21st century, from bridging the inequality gap and reducing the risks of genetic engineering, to reviving our faith in democracy and avoiding ecological collapse. In conversation with publisher and writer, John Mitchinson.

Comedians and writers Dom Joly and Danny Wallace take a look at conspiracy theories, fake news and more in this funny, frank and sometimes frightening discussion. Joly’s new book The Conspiracy Tourist: Travels Through a Strange World sees him meeting followers of QAnon in Cornwall, New Age-ers in Glastonbury and UFO hunters in Roswell, and taking a flat-earther to the edge of the world. In Wallace’s book Somebody Told Me he encounters families torn apart by accusations and fake news, journalists putting themselves on the frontline of the disinformation war, reformed conspiracy theorists and more.

Building on years of creative collaborations with survivors of terror attacks, Yordanka Dimcheva and Dr Katharina Karcher tell the stories of six inspiring people through three objects. From the narwhal tusk used by MoJ employee Darryn Frost and prisoner Steven Gallant in 2019 to tackle an armed attacker on London Bridge, to the camera of David Fritz Goeppinger, who survived the hostage-taking in the 2015 Bataclan attack, and the knitted teddy bear made by Figen Murray after losing her son in the Manchester Arena bombing, Karcher illustrates how creative practice can be used to remember violent loss, (re)claim agency and work towards less violent futures. Dimcheva is a PhD candidate in French Studies, focusing on terrorism in France, and Karcher is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Modern Languages, both at the University of Birmingham.

Looking for a new approach to life, a way to make your dreams reality and a stronger connection to yourself and those around you? Then author Candice Brathwaite (Manifest(o): Unlock the Life you Deserve) and consultant and coach Africa Brooke (The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in the Age of Intolerance) are here to help, in conversation with journalist Nichi Hodgson. Brooke shares her method for expressing yourself and embracing bravery, with the aim of placing you back in the driver’s seat of your own life. Brathwaite explores what manifesting looks like if you're not white, thin, traditionally pretty or able bodied. Prepare for a conversation that will leave you feeling inspired and ready to tackle any problem or achieve any dream.

“And how late it is already!” So ended one of Franz Kafka’s final diary entries; the last was dated 12 June 1923, less than a year before he died on 3 June 1924. The second weekend of this year’s Hay Festival coincides with the 100th anniversary of the last two days of Kafka’s life, a tragic moment in literary history but one also charged with hope, because of his irrepressible spirit and immortal work, which survived despite its author’s wishes.

To mark the centenary, the London Review of Books has mined its remarkable archive to publish a chorus of the different ways its writers have thought about Kafka over the years. This one-off performance is interspersed with readings from Kafka’s own later diary entries, by special guests including Toby Jones; and music from Max Richter’s The Blue Notebooks, itself inspired by Kafka’s journals, played by the celebrated organist James McVinnie.

'Rockstar mythologist' Natalie Haynes is the best-selling author of 'Divine Might', 'Stone Blind', and 'A Thousand Ships', as well as a reformed comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greek and Rome. Today she stands up in the name of two great figures from the ancient world. Expect life-enhancing knowledge and entertaining stories from a millennium or so ago.

Gain a rare insight into the life of the legendary, late comedian Barry Cryer, whose work included BBC Radio 4’s long-running I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue. His son Bob Cryer speaks to actor Miriam Margolyes about the man behind the jokes. Filled with candour and warmth, this discussion is an ode to Barry Cryer’s incredible life and to the lessons he imparted on the art of comedy during his 60-year career.

Bob Cryer is an actor and writer best known for Coronation Street and Hollyoaks. With his father, he created the book series Mrs Hudson’s Diaries, which was adapted into a play for Wilton’s Music Hall. Mrs Hudson’s Radio Show soon followed for Radio 4 in 2018. Their joint podcast, Now Where Were We?, launched just before Barry Cryer’s death in 2022. His book Same Time Tomorrow? is about Barry Cryer's life and career. Cryer and Margolyes talk to Alex Clark.

Simon Armitage’s reinvention of a fairy tale, Hansel & Gretel: A Nightmare in Eight Scenes, was published in 2023. It’s the third book by the Poet Laureate to be illustrated by Clive Hicks-Jenkins, following Sir Gawain & the Green Knight in 2018 and The Owl and the Nightingale in 2021.

The Poet Laureate and the artist/illustrator hold a conversation with pictures, talking about their experiences of working together and reading favourite passages from the three books. Hicks-Jenkins directed and designed the music theatre production with actors and puppets of Armitage’s Hansel & Gretel when it premiered in 2018, and two members of the original cast make a special appearance.

Do you want to introduce your children to the magic and wonders of a festival, but can’t face the muddy fields? Then DJ Rob da Bank, co-founder of Camp Bestival, is here to help. He shares tips, activities and ideas to keep the whole family inspired all year round and recreate the magical ethos of the festival at home, with campfire singalongs, family raves, kitchen discos and more.

Join the literary director of Shakespeare and Company Adam Biles (author of Feeding Time and Beasts of England), with journalist and novelist Hari Kunzru (The Impressionist, Blue Ruin) Isabella Hammad (author of The Parisian and Enter Ghost) and other guests for a far-ranging conversation on the role writers play in our cultural discourse, the art of the author interview and the importance of independent bookshops.

Shakespeare and Company, Paris, is one of the world’s most iconic and beautiful bookshops. Long favoured as a meeting place for writers and readers, it has hosted events with some of the greatest authors of our age. Highlights from these conversations are captured in the new Shakespeare and Company Book of Interviews, bringing their insights together with warmth, sensitivity and humour.

The nation’s twelfth-favourite doctor brings his brand new show to Hay Festival, fresh from a record-breaking run at the Edinburgh Fringe and a sell-out season in the West End. His book This is Going to Hurt was a literary sensation, selling three million copies and becoming a multi-BAFTA-winning BBC series. Undoctored follows on from This is Going to Hurt, and will leave you laughing and crying with Kay’s unique tales of life on and off the wards. It also contains the ‘degloving’ story because people ask for refunds if they don’t hear it. “Darkly hilarious – this show will have you in stitches” – The Standard.

Join Angela Barnes (Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown) as she tries out some new ideas she’s had. There will be thoughts, there will be stories, there will be successes, there will be failures, and there will be jokes – so come along to find out which is which… “She’s just a gloriously down-to-earth, straight talking and extremely funny comic” – The Guardian.

Angela Barnes swapped a career in health and social care for stand-up in 2010 and hasn’t looked back. Within just a couple of years she had won the 2011 BBC New Comedy Award and toured around the country with her stand-up shows. She is a firm favourite on BBC Radio 4, having featured on The Now Show and The News Quiz.

Join legendary DJ Rob da Bank for a set at Hay Festival. Grab some drinks at the Festival Bar and settle in for his eclectic mix of audio loveliness from techno to chillwave, covering a spectrum of leftfield music, new and old.

Da Bank is co-founder of music festivals Bestival and Camp Bestival, and after a hugely successful career at BBC Radio 1, he joined the 6 Mix Resident roster. Aside from radio and festivals, da Bank is creator of the Sunday Best label which has released music by David Lynch, Dan le Sac & Scroobius Pip, Valerie June, Dub Pistols and Beardyman.