Hay Festival 2019 Programme

Tour led by Justin Albert, Director of National Trust Wales.

Meet Walter, the friendly blue troll who lives under Whitney Bridge at Whitney-on-Wye, and find out how he came to be living there with a loveable cocker spaniel called Chester. With a special appearance by Walter himself.
5+ years

Free but ticketed

Well-known historian and author of both fiction and non-fiction about war, including the Jack Tanner series of novels and the acclaimed Battle of Britain, James Holland’s books for young people include the Duty Calls novels. He uses wartime artefacts to illustrate a riveting talk about WWII that will enthral children and adults alike.
10+ years

Bonehead, the dino-kid lookout, raises so many false alarms that when the scary Gigantosaurus really appears, his friends may not believe him… High-energy fun from the exuberant Jonny Duddle.
4+ years

This brilliant and bestselling creation is laugh-out-loud funny, from the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. Tom Gates is back in a brand new must-read adventure. Not to be missed!
9+ years

Roy presents music, chat and special guests every Sunday morning from 10.30am to 12 midday. Broadcast live.

Come and discover the secret world that lives in your garden with the RSPB. Grab a net and see what amazing creatures are hiding in the leaves and lurking underwater. Make a Bee and Bug B&B to take home and give nature a home in your garden.

4–12 years

Re-examining the differing impacts of WWI on Britain, Ireland and the United States, The Long Shadow throws light on the whole of the last century and demonstrates that the First World War is a conflict from which Britain, more than any other nation, is still recovering.

The story of C20th philanthropists Gwendoline and Margaret Davies of Llandinam, who amassed possibly the world’s greatest private collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art and then gave it to the people of Wales. Chaired by Tim Marlow.

For over 30 years the Islamic Republic has resisted widespread condemnation, sanctions, and sustained attacks by Iraq in an eight-year war. With Iran’s continuing commitment to a nuclear programme and its reputation as a trouble-maker in Afghanistan, Lebanon and elsewhere, it’s unlikely that the ‘rogue state’ problem is going to go away anytime soon. The distinguished Persian scholar was Head of the Iran Section at the FCO.

In 2012 after being sexually harassed on London public transport a young journalist started to collect stories for a piece she was writing on the issue. Astounded by the response she received and the wide range of stories that came pouring in from all over the world, she quickly realised that the situation was far worse than she’d initially thought. Sexism is endemic – socially, politically and economically. And enough is enough. Welcome to the fourth wave of feminism.

In Glow Beauman conjures a contemporary conspiracy with global repercussions that converges on one small flat above a dentist’s office in Camberwell. Gong Ji-Young’s Our Happy Time is a redemptive love story from Korea’s rising star novelist – Yujeong is a beautiful, bright and wealthy suicide attempter, Yunsu a convicted murderer on death row. The authors talk to Ted Hodgkinson.

Carl Austin has spent the last ten years living with clichés and avoiding people. He’s started a raft of initiatives, from a telecoms business in a bedroom to a social enterprise food brand in west Wales.

FREE BUT TICKETED

Hear Jacqueline Wilson talk about this anthology of cat and dog stories. As well as a new story from Jacqueline herself, it includes stories from contemporary authors and treasured classics such as Gobbolino The Witch’s Cat and 101 Dalmatians.
8+ years

The true story of a young serviceman on active duty in 1915 who finds and keeps a tortoise. One of our most highly-acclaimed illustrators, Michael is best known for War Boy and War Game and for his extensive work with Michael Morpurgo. Find out why the tale of Ali Pasha was such an inspiration to him.
7+ years

Geek out with three authors who are all keen gamers, comic book fans and gadget freaks. They have all written books that read like action movies – Mutant City, Earthfall and Knightley & Son respectively. Find out how their favourite geeky things have been a source of inspiration.
10+ years

Lifestyle magazine programme with music, chat and news. This show will broadcast live from the BBC Tent but is not ticketed so drop in at any time for a listen.

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18.