It’s the 30th anniversary of the Hay Festival – the annual literary extravaganza which sees the great and the good share their stories with the public. Here we pick our top ten must-see people from this year’s line-up, and offer some facts and figures about the ‘Woodstock for the mind’.
10people we can’t wait to see
1. Stephen Fry
As part of Hay’s 30th anniversary ‘Reformations’ series, the writer and tech-geek re-imagines the internet and asks how the mantra ‘This is for Everyone’ can play now in a digital sphere of social media, hacking and global connectivity.
When: 20:30, Saturday 27 May
How to watch: Live on the BBC’s Hay website; clips and full session available afterwards via the BBC’s Hay website and BBC iPlayer.
2. Bernie Sanders
Feel the Bern! The longest-serving independent US Senator sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2016 and only narrowly lost out to Hillary Clinton. On the way he won millions of votes and just as many new fans. At Hay he will deliver the Eric Hobsbawm Lecture.
When: 19:00, Saturday 3 June
How to watch: Clips and full session available afterwards via the BBC’s Hay website and BBC iPlayer.
3. Lucy Worsley
Honouring the bicentenary of the Jane Austen’s death, Worsley tells the story of the novelist’s life and shows us how and why she lived as she did, examining the places and spaces that mattered to her. It wasn’t all country houses and ballrooms, but a life that was often a painful struggle.
When: 19:00, Saturday 27 May
How to watch: Clips available afterwards on the BBC’s Hay website
4. Tom Daley
The Olympic diving star shares what he’s learned about how to stay fit, healthy and positive. His secrets include delicious food, workouts anyone can do (he promises!) and invaluable motivational and lifestyle tips. He talks to the award-winning sports writer Carolyn Hitt.
When: 20:30, Saturday 27 May
How to watch: Live on the BBC’s Hay website; clips and full session available afterwards via the BBC’s Hay website and BBC iPlayer.
5. Charlotte Rampling
The actor reminisces in an intimate self-portrait, with stories and photographs from her long career – from classic movies Georgy Girl, The Night Porter, and The Sense of an Ending to hit TV drama Broadchurch. Hosted by Sarfraz Manzoor.
When: 16:00, Saturday 27 May
How to watch: Live on the BBC’s Hay website; clips and full session available afterwards.
6. Garry Kasparov
Twenty years ago, Kasparov, the greatest chess player in the world, was defeated by the IBM supercomputer Deep Blue. Talking to Stephen Fry, he describes a watershed moment in the history of technology: machine intelligence could beat human intellect.
When: 16:00, Sunday 28 May
How to watch: Live on the BBC’s Hay website; clips and full session available afterwards.
7. Neil Gaiman
In discussion with Stephen Fry, Gaiman discusses the enduring tales and myths of Northern and Mediterranean Europe, and his newly published book, Norse Mythology, that reaches back to the source stories that inspired Tolkien, Marvel comics and many others.
When: 14:30, Monday 29 May
How to watch: Live on the BBC’s Hay website; clips and full session available afterwards.
8. Tracey Emin
Once one of the ‘enfant terribles’ pack of British artists during the 1980s and 90s, Turner Prize-nominated artist Tracey Emin’s candid and confessional work ranges from painting, drawing, video and installation to photography, needlework and sculpture. At Hay she talks to Dylan Jones, editor of GQ magazine, about her life, art and inspirations.
When: 17:30, Sunday 28 May
How to watch: Live on the BBC’s Hay website; clips and full session available afterwards.
9. Bill Bailey
The comedian introduces his humorous and very personal guide to his favourite British birds, complete with drawings, notes and cartoons and some spectacular impressions. “When herons are spooked they have a habit of vomiting as a defence.”
When: 14:30, Sunday 4 June
How to watch: Clips available afterwards on the BBC’s Hay website.
10. Ed Balls
Hear about the highs and lows of life in and out of politics – from the despatch box to Strictly stage – with one of Britain’s most influential and charming political figures. He’s funny, and acute about the madhouse of Parliament.
When: 16:00, Saturday 27 May
How to watch: Clips and full session available afterwards on the BBC Hay website