Our monthly 'Meet the Haymaker' series shares stories of the change-makers at the heart of Hay Festival and the impact it has had on their lives. This month, get to know Alex Wharton, author, poet, Children's Laureate Wales and one of the St Thomas Cantilupe residency artists.
What does Hay Festival Global mean to you?
A space for ideas to take flight - and land upon curious minds. Authors take wonderful care with the words that they compose. They are cherished words, glowing words. Knowing that this festival shines a light on language around the world, with the ability to stir minds into bright thinking, to comfort, entertain and improve lives is a beautiful reality.
What’s your favourite Festival memory?
Being a writer in residence at St Thomas Cantilupe primary school in Hereford this year was a remarkable experience. Working alongside amazingly talented and passionate artists and wonderful students and teachers was a pure celebration of the arts and the power of collaboration. Watching the students perform music, dance, poetry and drama in a promenade performance at the school to mark the finale of our residency was epic! A true showcase of talent and togetherness from a multicultural community - So much to learn, so much fun!
Have you ever changed your mind on something having been to a Hay Festival event?
Not so much a mind change – but a supercharged reinforcement of the power of books and libraries. I attended a talk in 2024 at Hay Festival, Hay on Wye by Lord Boateng, Elif Shafak and Priscilla Morris called Beyond Conflict – The role of libraries in rebuilding societies. Books offer a space to dream in, to be transported and uplifted. They offer hope. It inspired me tremendously, to speak boldly and critically in support of the necessary access to books, especially where there are barriers to learning – but everywhere. Any society that cuts funding and access to libraries intentionally when they are targeted in areas of conflict as a method of erasing cultural identity, supressing knowledge and instilling fear – is committing self-sabotage.
Who was the best speaker or performer you saw on a Hay Festival stage?
I saw Simon Armitage in 2024 I believe, and he was just excellent! I am a regular reader of Armitage’s poetry and I think he’s an exceptional Laureate. Beyond the word wizardry you’d expect from him – I thoroughly enjoyed his numerous anecdotes that led us from one poem to another. There were so many golden moments, words of poetic wisdom and critical thinking. But easy moments too of refection, the poet’s perspective. Plenty of thinking.
What advice do you have for a first-timer at the Festival?
Relaxing between events is important. Allowing time for your own thoughts to exercise emotions and feelings. To calculate a response. Maybe it’s a creative response. It’s a magnificently inspiring space. Take it at your own pace.
Sum up Hay Festival Global in five words or less…
Bright-beaming, Fizzy-Dizzy-Dreaming