A week at Hay Festival Digital

I'd been hoping that this year, after a long break, I could visit Hay Festival again. I've been several times before; generally stopping off for a day on the way to or from a half-term holiday in Pembrokeshire, and had vaguely being thinking about going this year, staying in the tent, taking a bit more time to explore the town and surrounding countryside as well as catch some book events.

All year round this small English/Welsh border town is home to dozens of bookshops, but for a week or two at the end of May it plays host to a huge literary gathering. It's what I call a 'proper' book festival - lots of variously-sized tents/marquees for events, shops, food and drink, all gathered in one area. There's no need to buy a ticket - entry to this tented village is free, so you can wonder in and browse the stalls, grab a deckchair and try to spot the celebrities, but obviously going along to hear your favourite author talk about their latest book is the real draw. There's something for everyone from (almost) the smallest toddler to their great great grandma, from comedy to serious thought provoking discussions on the world's and humankind's problems; there are artists and musicians; and everywhere you'll find books. 

My plans came to nothing though, with Hay and similar events having to be cancelled due to corona virus. Fortunately Hay's organisers decided to try this as an opportunity, rather than a disaster, and made the decision to go digital. It's been nothing like the size and scope the actual event would have been, but every day has been filled with interesting talks and discussions. 

I've listened to Maggie O'Farrell talking about Shakespeare, plague and grief with relation to her latest novel Hamnet; watched Jackie Morris, illustrator of The Lost Words, paint and gild a picture of a hare from her studio in Pembrokeshire; increased my knowledge of Chinese history and culture with Michael Wood; revisited the Tudor world with Hilary Mantel, this time from the perspective of Thomas Cromwell and the politics of Henry VIII's court; discovered The Art of Rest with Claudia Hammond; and taken a trip to a taverna on the Greek island of Hydra for music, poetry and to hear about Polly Samson's novel based round the lives of a writers' colony there in the early 60s.

It's been a busy sort of time. I've definitely seen more than if I'd actually been to Hay, though I didn't get to wander down by the river or up in the surrounding mountains.