Hay Festival 2014

Carmarthen-born opera star Wynne Evans with music, chat and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of showbiz. Broadcast live, Fridays 1pm–4pm.

Lottie hasn’t been the same since her dad died a year ago. But she’s got to get back on track – and all she needs is one boy, a bunch of baking classes, a sprinkling of hope and a little help from her friends… Author Katy Cannon shares her tips on characters, stories – and cakes!
11+ years

The creator of War Horse joins Peter Florence to discuss some of the recurring themes in his fiction including war, refugees, conflicts and consequences. Michael will be joined for a Q&A session by Maurice Wren, Chief Executive of the British Refugee Council.
10+ years

Herman the bear embarks on an epic journey to deliver a very special letter and ensure that his friendship with Henry the raccoon really is forever. Tom talks about Herman’s adventure in a creative event: prepare to get crafty and remember to bring your imagination!
5+ years

The First World War followed a period of sustained peace in Europe during which people talked with confidence of prosperity, progress and hope. But in 1914, Europe walked into a catastrophic conflict that killed millions of its men, bled its economies dry, shook empires and societies to pieces, and fatally undermined Europe’s dominance of the world. It was a war that could have been avoided up to the last moment – so why did it happen? Macmillan is a previous winner of the Samuel Johnson Prize and won the International Affairs Book of the Year at the Political Book Awards 2014 for this book. Chaired by Nik Gowing.

The environmentalist presents a credible, positive vision of our planet that is green, fair, connected and collaborative and reveals how it is possible to reach a genuinely sustainable world by 2050. He describes the key events, technological breakthroughs and lifestyle revolutions that will transform our planet. Chaired by Rosie Boycott

Engaging and provocative, Malik confronts some of humanity’s deepest questions. Where do values come from? Is God necessary for moral guidance? Are there absolute moral truths? He also brings morality down to earth, showing how, throughout history, social needs and political desires have shaped moral thinking. He provides a history of the world told through the history of moral thought, and a history of moral thought that casts new light on global history. Chaired by Oliver Balch.

One of the country’s leading neurosurgeons reveals the fierce joy of operating, the profoundly moving triumphs, the harrowing disasters, the haunting regrets and the moments of black humour that characterise a brain surgeon’s life.

In 1405 the Dean and Chapter of York Minster commissioned the largest stained glass window ever made in medieval England. With a huge illuminated Apocalypse at its core, it was the creation of master-glazier John Thornton. The current conservation of York Minster’s Great East Window, under the supervision of Sarah Brown of the University of York and York Glaziers Trust, is providing exciting new insights into this most intriguing of illuminated narratives.

Come along for interactive storytelling with the 2014 World Book Day author-illustrator, and learn how to draw his huggable bear, Hugless Douglas. Watch out for the bear himself…
Duration 45 minutes
4+ years

Two of our bestselling writers of adventure novels for young adults talk about their writing. Muchamore introduces his new novel Rock War, and looks back on ten years of his bestselling CHERUB series; and McKenzie discusses Split Second, her action-packed new thriller. Both authors create plots full of excitement, intrigue and adventure, and here is your chance to find out how it’s done.
Duration 45 minutes
11+ years

Award-winning playwright for young people Christopher William Hill chats about his gruesomely funny books, Tales from Schwartzgarten, and why he loves dark humour. Do some very silly story building, and find out why Christopher carries some extremely weird and wonderful smells with him…
Duration 45 minutes
9+ years

Join illustrator Alexia Tucker and Benjamin Pryor, chief of drinks at Observer Food Monthly’s Best Ethical Restaurant, Poco in Bristol, to celebrate the start of summer by making a batch of delicious seasonal elderflower cordial, designing your own label and filling your own bottle to take away.

6+ years

The Secret History of the American Dream

Now used to describe everything from reality television to The Great Gatsby, ‘the American Dream’ is a phrase that most people assume stretches back to the founding of America. But the history of this catchphrase is much more recent – and surprising – than our casual usages suggest. Professor Churchwell traces the emergence of this cliché in the first decades of the 20th century from debates that drove it into the heart of American popular culture. At the same time, she reveals the ways in which the very idea of the ‘American Dream’ was invented to address the same troubling questions about immigration and nationalism, education and job creation, economic and cultural breakdown, individual ambition and social responsibility, that continue to define our society today.

From awe-inspiring Norman castles to the homes we live in, Thurley explores how the architecture of this small island influenced the world. He tells the fascinating story of the development of architecture and the advancements in both structural performance and aesthetic effect. Chaired by Justin Albert.

Autism and Talent
Why do many people with autism develop outstanding abilities in domains like drawing, music, calculation or memory? What aspects of autism predispose to talent? The Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience explores the representation of autistic talent in the media, and what current research can tell us about the nature and origins of special abilities and assets in autism.

The oracle and sanctuary of the Greek god Apollo at Delphi were known as the omphalos – the centre or navel – of the ancient world for more than a thousand years. Individuals, city leaders and kings came from all over the Mediterranean and beyond to consult Delphi’s oracular priestess; to set up monuments to the gods in gold, ivory, bronze, marble and stone; and to take part in athletic and musical competitions.

Best known for his provocative take on cultural issues in The Intellectuals and the Masses and What Good Are the Arts?, Carey’s warm and funny memoirdescribes the events that formed him: an escape from the London Blitz to an idyllic rural village, army service in Egypt, an open scholarship to Oxford and an academic career that saw him elected, aged 40, to Oxford’s oldest English Literature professorship.

Education needs to incorporate real skills that enable students to use their practical creative abilities. Education is for the people and must be made available to everyone in ways that suit them individually.