Is it Glastonbury? Is it a huge Teddy Bear's Picnic? No, it's Hay-on-Wye – the biggest literary festival in the world.
Every year at the end of May, tents go up outside the small Welsh border town and writers, critics, historians, scientists, film-makers, performers and thinkers pour in. Those are just the speakers. The audience grows every year, along with the festival itself.
Hay is now the largest literary festival in the world. It has grown every year since its launch in 1988. Staging around 400 events, the festival runs for 10 days and more than 90,000 visitors are expected.
Hay is now the largest literary festival in the world. It has grown every year since its launch in 1988. Staging around 400 events, the festival runs for 10 days and more than 90,000 visitors are expected.
This website brings you a sample of what's on offer. Hot writers such as Alan Alda, Margaret Atwood and Beth Orton are hawking their wares. Al Gore, Jonathan Porritt and James Lovelock are preparing for a vigorous debate on climate change and the environment.
You can find details of all the books featured in the site, plus links to the full festival programme, in Find out more.
Looking for something different? Try our selection of tasters and our guide to Welsh writers.