Journalist George Alagiah’s impact and legacy will be commemorated through a new lecture to be hosted each spring at Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye.
One of the BBC’s most respected journalists, Alagiah was a regular Festival attendee in his free time and on stage, championing the value of platforms for free expression and exchange.
The inaugural George Alagiah Lecture will be introduced by George’s son Matt Alagiah and delivered by acclaimed writer Hisham Matar on Monday 26 May at 1pm within the Hay Festival 2025 programme, announced today.
In his lecture, Matar will delve into the world of Naguib Mahfouz, the first Arab winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature and one of the Arab world’s bestknown writers.
Frances Alagiah, George’s wife, said:
“George loved attending Hay Festival over many years and engaging with a world of different ideas and perspectives. This memorial lecture honours his legacy and his connection to the charity, and will explore themes that were close to his heart: highlighting perspectives from the Global South, promoting free expression, sharing a platform for cultural exchange, and most importantly of all for George (himself a proud migrant), exploring the magic of migration. We hope this brings festivalgoers closer to understanding the world around them, something George was so committed to in his journalism.”
Hay Festival Global CEO Julie Finch said:
“It was an honour to host George Alagiah at Hay Festival events over the years with his infectious curiosity inspiring us on stage and off. Through the George Alagiah Lecture, his commitment to expanding our understanding of the world will continue. Join us.”
Hay Festival runs its 38th spring edition in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, with more than 600 events over 11 days, 22 May–1 June 2025.
Tickets are on sale now to Hay Festival Members, Patrons and Benefactors at hayfestival.org/hay-on-wye. General sale begins at noon this Friday 14 March.
Launching the best new fiction and non-fiction books, while sharing insights around the biggest global issues, the programme sees more than 600 artists, policymakers, pioneers and innovators take part from around the world.
Events offer something for all, beginning with the free Schools Programme, 22–23 May, and including a vibrant strand for families throughout.
Special projects and new initiatives in the programme include:
· The Platform spotlights young creative talent
· Hay Festival Green proposes innovative solutions to the climate crisis
· The new MUBI Cinema showcases storytelling on screen
· The News Review engages with the day’s top stories
· Hay Festival Sports Day returns on Wednesday 28 May
· South to North Conversations explores issues facing the Global South
· Debut Discoveries showcases new writing talent
· Matters of Taste demos spotlight great food writers and local produce
· Creative Industry Insights sessions engage budding young creatives
Nights at the Festival are given over to great music, comedy and entertainment, while a host of free pop-up activities and performances will amaze audiences between sessions.
Events take place across eight stages in the free-to-enter Festival site – which offers a range of spaces for audiences to explore and enjoy, including the Bookshop, Wild Garden, Make & Take Tent, a host of exhibitors and market stalls, cafés and restaurants, and the Family Garden where young readers can kick-start their creative journeys – plus immersive performances all week at St Mary’s Church.
Collaborations with Arts Council England, Black British Book Festival, Pen to Print, Living Knowledge Network, Reaching Wider, and Inclusive Books for Children make this one of the most accessible Festival editions yet. And the Festival continues online with a selection of sessions streamed live throughout the 2025 event, continuing the Festival’s commitment to digital accessibility.